Oh, what a week it has been.  This was the busiest week of my year so far and I am so delighted that it is coming to an end.  Much of the insanity amounted to just a whole lot of really wonderful things so I know I haven’t a right to complain, especially since I have had the loveliest bouquet of peonies to keep me company throughout the chaos.  Peonies are my very favorite flower and as they blossomed before my eyes I could not help thinking that they had been designed just for me.  I marvel at their delicate, pale pink petals that fan out only to reveal dozens of others, creating the most feminine display of botanical magic.  

It is Friday at long last.  We have made it to the end and now it is time for us to look at all we have accomplished, be thankful for the stamina and health that kept us going, and breathe some deep breaths over a cup of tea, iced coffee, or maybe even one of these guiltless pleasures. 

It was nearly a year ago that my parents took a trip to China and the bounty of confections that poured from their bulging suitcases was both inciting and intimidating.  Indulging was much a game of Chinese roulette, as you never knew quite what you were getting and the illustrations did not much help.  Egg-flavored sweets anyone?  Most of the candy was more intriguing than delicious, but these Japanese Kit-Kats sound a bit more tempting, though I think I would pass on the Wasabi…  

To be honest, I am not sure what to think of this craze.  Unlike most instagram food crazes, this one is pleasantly void of food coloring, but I just do not know if I could get used to eating meringue on my toast. 

I will find any and every excuse to eat a cheese-covered bowl of pasta, but who would have thought of adding carrots and radishes to linguine?!  I think it’s rather brilliant.  And that goat cheese cream sauce?  Give me all of it. 

I am making this macaroni and cheese tonight and I’m really, really happy about that.  The truffle oil romance continues.  While Mr. Pedantic and I were in London we spent an entire afternoon exploring the beautiful open air space known as Borough Market.  In between the juice stands and the cheese mongers we stumbled upon a curtain of rich, fungal redolence.  In a couple of feet we turned the corner and found ourselves face-to-face with an entire shop brimming with jars and battered boxes full of truffles.  Whole truffles, shaved truffles, truffle oil and truffle salt - they had it all and my olfactory receptors were in heaven.  

Smart Dining, eh?  Someone, please, save us millennials from ourselves.

I have gotten into the habit of filling a spray bottle with lavender oil and water for a quick way to refresh the carpets, sheets, or to freshen things up before company.  I have never been one to use Febreeze - just too many chemicals for my liking, so this is my homemade substitute.  I love it. 

I bought one of Food 52’s Market totes two years ago and it has held up better than any other straw bag I have used.  It is sturdy and wide and perfect for farmer’s-marketing. 

Speaking of which, while I was at the market last weekend, I strolled past the "crab tent" and immediately turned back around, remembering this recipe.  I could not help myself from picking up a pound of what ended up being some of the sweetest, most delicious crab I have had in ages.  We had crab cakes for Sunday lunch, dinner, and Monday dinner and I did not mind one little bit.  Shellfish + peonies = the bestest cure for exhaustion. 

How will you be celebrating your mother this weekend?  Are you making anything special?  If you are still trying to decide, may I suggest this cake and a pitcher of the pinkest, loveliest spring spritzer you ever did see?   

Happy, happy, weekending! 

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie