Magnificence.

Today, you computer-using Legion of Lovelies (all four of you), you are blessed with two tributes.

First, I will celebrate my favorite backyard with pictures I took last time I went to this magical getaway which, happily enough, is about twenty minutes away from my house. I last went one week ago and it was - for lack of a better word - magnificent (hence the title of this post). Thank you to V for her hospitality, her patience, her love and the way she sets a table and gives life to plush toys. She makes my life even more delicious than it already is. (Huh - a third tribute which I had not even planned for...)

I will then link to a great hommage to language which was put into the most eloquent words I've heard and seen in a really long time. It's not so much the words themselves individually, but the way they are knit together, the seamless musicality, the yumminess, in short. So sit down, take six minutes and thirty-three seconds to savor this literary soup, and let me know what you think. It goes down really well with hot chocolate, a Pinot Grigio or whatever you have at home, and it is completely up to you to decide which will accompany this feast best. Personally, I favored the classic: a martini. It is Friday evening, after all. It (the literary soup, not the martini) was concocted by the great Stephen Fry, who, among other things, is endowed with one of the most pleasant voices I've ever known.

Without further ado, enjoy the yumminess. First, my magical getaway:

Wasn't that extraordinary? I am in awe. You can smell the leaves and want to jump in them too, don't you? And now, I give you dessert, because you ate all of your plate: have you got your glass of something yummy? Click here, and cheers. *ching!*

In retrospect: Easter Eggs

Remember a few months ago, when I told you about my Easter egg-making extravaganza? Well, here's how it turned out (thank you to the photographer extraordinaire for the lighting and also for caring enough to take pictures of the first Easter eggs I make as an adult):

Hideout.

Since Ezio joined the family, Boo has had his patience tested over and over again. I think that's why he escaped for a few days at some point: to get some perspective and mull things over. Boo has acquired a bad ass personality, and he shuts down Ezio with one paw to the head. The funny thing is, Ezio always comes running back for more. Loves it. He doles out most of the abuse, though, and is frequently caught in the act of booting Boo from a quiet spot or generally acting out to piss Boo off. I mean, look. Case in point. He always has the mischievous face, even this morning:

 

We've never seen the two of them be affectionate to one another and I know you can't force these things (I've tried taping them to one another with duct tape and locking them in the bathroom, to no avail), but I still feel bad that Boo gets kicked around like that. I was fascinated when I saw Ezio wash Boo's face yesterday. Boo did not move. He had his teeth bared, but kept still as as statue and let Ezio do the grooming. He eventually turned and - lighting quick - whacked him upside the head, when Ezio bit his ear. I know he has reached wit's end when he goes here (the little one doesn't have an inkling that this place exists):

The top of the kitchen cupboards: perfect hideout.

It worked. That little runt can't find me now. Mwahahahargh. Sucker.

Sometimes, Boo lets his guard down and migrates back down to earth with the rest of us. He still loves his spot on The Man's ugly blanket. 

I swear: one day that blanket will 'accidentally' burn or be used for the rag it is. As long as it makes him happy, I can't take it away from him. I am not that mean and controlling. So in the meantime, I bleach the hell out of it in the hopes that the fabric eventually disintegrates. It's the only thing I can do about it...it's a slow, tedious process, but mark my words: I will prevail. Oh yes, I will prevail (okay, I don't really hate it that badly...ahem).

Maddies.

It was eight-thirty on Saturday morning. I was looking forward to the evening 's celebration of The Man's birthday. We celebrated it three times, this year, because he turned thirty-three. We didn't really plan it that way, to be honest, it just kind of happened. So there I was, sitting in front of the PC, trying to figure out what to serve with ze apéro. I had almond-stuffed queen olives and pretzels, but I needed something homemade to go with the stuffed mushrooms I was about to make. Two of our friends were bringing champagne, imported directly - via suitcase - from France. And I stumbled upon a recipe which, lo and behold, required ingredients which I already had in the pantry and fridge. Well, almost all the ingredients. Behold - the madeleines aux herbes!

Wait. Before I proceed, a disclaimer:

I have a camera now. That, my Loverlies, means that I take pictures of absolutely everything. And since 2005, when I started blogging, I promised myself that when I got a camera, I would  post pictures of food, knitting and flowers. And cats, obviously. So tough luck for you, you must suffer through the pictures. They are part of my art. Disclaimer over.

Where was I? Ah yes. Behold - the madeleines!

I had never made madeleines. I had never eaten madeleines. How adventurous am I, right? To make something you've never tasted! Oh, the boldness! The courage! The sheer nerve!

I had heard about them, of course, and was intrigued when Ross flaunted his mad madeleine-making skills on Friends. I even own a madeleine baking mold, but have been pushing it back in the cupboard because I was scared of it. I thought, for some reason, that they were very difficult to make. Well, I have succeeded, and the result is moist, browned to perfection, and I must specify, this is a savory version of the more classic, usually sweet little cake. The result was perfect, if I may say so myself, even if I had to substitute a few ingredients. The recipe is on http://www.ricardocuisine.com. Enjoy.