COFFEE TALK

Can we take a few minutes to talk about how I am really, really not into February?

While it does bring about one of my favorite holidays, it is without fail one of the dreariest months, and one that I always wind up dragging myself through.  January, though it is grey and Christmas-less, is full of promise.  We are eating well, drinking green things, and keeping those adorable color-coated planners up to date.  Then, February arrives and we wonder how we ever had the energy to make a lunch that involved more than M&Ms and tortilla chips.  I think that when you cross the February border all of your energy is suddenly zapped for the next 28 days, or maybe it is just that I have had a lingering cold for about six weeks.  Bleh. 

So, Valentine's Day.  To say I'm excited about this Valentine's Day would be quite the understatement.  What's your game?  Are you going with a cozy dinner at home or braving the crowds for a no-clean-up-required night out?  Are you actually celebrating on Valentine's Day, or waiting until the weekend?  Either way, I really hope he brings you a truly fantastic cupcake and stays clear of anything with "plush" in the name.  If I see one more teddy bear holding a heart I might just scream...

For our first Valentine's Day as Mr. & Mrs., we plan on going to one of our favorite restaurants, sitting at our very favorite table, and maybe seeing a movie.  And no, not that movie.  Please no. 

I loved the idea of having a romantic meal at home, but I knew I would end up spending an hour or so cleaning up afterwards.  I am trying to get better at prepping and getting most of the cooking and clean up done in advance but...well, I'm not quite there.  I need to figure it out though because these napkins would be just perfect for an intimate dinner at home.  I think I need them. 

Our favorite doughnut shop just closed.  The doughnut shop that happened to be on our way to church.  The doughnut shop that we visited on every special occasion we could.  The doughnut shop that made the very best Boston Cream donut.  I'm so sad and now I cannot even have a doughnut to cheer me up. #pathetic 

I tried this chocolate cake Tuesday night when Mr. Pedantic’s family visited.  Other than my bumping into the oven door and causing the center to completely sink in, it was delicious.

On that note, what is the secret to swiss buttercream?  Please tell me.  I tried it this past week, on the fallen chocolate cake, but it was far from the light, airy frosting I’d imagined.  Do not mistake me, it was delicious, but it was heavy and very thin.  Sort of like cornstarch mixed with water, in that it looked stiff until I scooped it out.  Thankfully, no one besides myself knew how wrong it really was.  Fake it till you make it! (Or until your in-laws leave and you cry about being a total mess to your husband.)  Oh, I also stuck a fork into my finger right as they arrived.  I still don't know how.

Moving on... 

Sprinkles.  I’m on a sprinkle kick right now.  I keep picking up my phone and scrolling through page after page of sprinkles.  I pretty much want all of these.  Can I get a sprinkle subscription please? 

Speaking of subscriptions, what are your thoughts on that trend?  I have been so tempted to try some of them, especially the cosmetic boxes, but then I realize I’d be spending $40 for a box of stuff I will probably love and then be required to keep buying, or hate and then feel guilty for buying.  Welcome to my brain.  This is why it takes me three months to buy a dress. 

I finally got tired of throwing away greens and did the unthinkable.  I googled for help.  The Kitchn had some words for me and next week I’m buying myself a plastic bin just for green-preservation.  Here’s to hoping slimy spinach is forever behind me. 

It might not be as exciting as a sock subscription, but these are my favorite pastry bags and that box lasts foreverrrrr!  I’m about to place my next order because my supply is just about empty - the box I bought five years ago!  It's so nice to just throw the greasy bags right into the trash without guilt. 

Joy the Baker has me crushing hard on Luna Skye jewelry right now.  I’m smitten with this necklace and these cluster rings.  

This pizza.  Game over. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!  Drink lattes, eat donuts, and stay clear of those February blues. 

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie

COFFEE TALK

We made it! 

It was a doozy of a week but we trudged through and now here we are, another Friday, ready to begin a much-needed mozzarella stick marathon.  It is perfectly allowed because on Monday I’ll be kicking back into gear with another salad recipe.  Around here, it is all about balance. 

Let me tell you about the magic of homemade mozzarella sticks.  Last week, I had a pan of these in my refrigerator, waiting to be fried up for Mr. Pedantic’s game night.  Now, I’m obsessed.  I never even liked mozzarella sticks, but I have not stopped thinking about them since.  It's the super-crunchy double coating of panko that grabs my heart.  This afternoon I’m making a double batch. 

Because of my recent mozzarella stick romance, I’m seriously considering purchasing a fryer.  I have always done the stove-top thing, but that also happens to be the reason I HATE frying.  The mess alone is enough to deter me, not to mention the huge amounts of oil I always end up throwing away.  I borrowed my mom’s miniature fryer last week and within five minutes of plugging it in, my oil was hot and ready to go.  The mess?  Well, it was pretty nonexistent.  I was sold!  I’ve got my eye on this model. 

Did you know you could buy assorted boxes of speciality sprinkles?  It’s like a tackle box, but for cupcakes.  I’m thinking I need a bottle of the purple pony party sprinkles for my Valentine’s day baking, not that I have any idea of what that will involve yet, but there is always room for sprinkles.

I made this spaghetti carbonara earlier this week and it was perfection.  I added peas in an attempt to get some green stuff into Mr. Pedantic.  AND…*drumroll* it worked!  He’s not really a vegetable guy so I take what I can get. 

Are you watching Victoria?  You really should be.  Every winter I return to all my historical dramas for a good dose of romance, scandal, and backstabbing - it always feels cozy to me. 

Did you know that EOS makes shimmer lip balm now?  I'm probably really late in discovering this, but it made my whole year, and it’s only January. 

So, confession time.  I’ve never tried matcha anything.  I know, I’m not sure how I dodged that fad, but I did, and I was not really too cut up about that.  However, this vibrant concoction has got me curious.  Will you try it if I do?  I need moral support when it comes to drinking green things with marshmallows on top. 

I’m planning on surprising the mister with monkey bread tomorrow morning.  Do you remember monkey bread?  Yeah, the wonderful cinnamon-covered the stuff your aunt used to make.  He’s never known the joy of pulling apart those gooey little bits of happiness and I think that needs to change. 

What are you up to this weekend?  Tell me all the things!

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie

Christmas in Review

Hey there!

I am sorry for disappearing for like...a week.  I know that is terrible blogger etiquette and that some of you have probably already given up on my return, considering that a week of absence in internet-land in basically thirty years.  To those of you who are still around, thank you.  I will not apologize anymore, because I'm trying to get a head start on one of my resolutions - not apologizing for doing what I know is right.  And, after about four meltdowns in a matter of days, I knew taking a little break was right. 

As much as blogging is my life, there are other components of life that creep in and we suddenly find ourselves waking up at 5am to make breakfast for 22 strangers when we really just wanted to stay in our Christmas pajamas and cuddle with the Mr. Pedantic in our lives. 

But, enough of that. Let's talk about Christmas! 

I hope you got lots of socks.  Socks are basically my favorite gift.  Socks and glitter and lip balm. This year, I received all three.  Mr. Pedantic tucked a gift box of three EOS Lip Balms in my stocking and I swear I have not stopped smelling/using them.  Forget about the new Wusthof, or the gorgeous ruby ring, I'm just obsessed with my multiplicity of lip care options. 

After spending all of Christmas Eve day with Mr. Pedantic's family, we ventured over to my parent's home for the evening and spent the night in my "old" room, so we would not miss out on the joy and delight of racing my siblings out to the tree the following morning.  

Shiny paper was torn, tissue paper flew, and after an hour and a half of thrilling surprises and the happiest of tears, we were readying ourselves for church - all donning the same Christmas Day glow. When church was over and we were back by the tree once again, the family arrived.  

Over the past few days, the board games have been incessant, the laughter boisterous, and the joy overabundant.  My heart had felt nearly as tired as my body over the past few weeks, but family is a magical kind of tonic. 

There were so many precious, meaningful, story-book-worthy moments this season.  I watched Mr. Pedantic dance with our favorite 3-year-old as she hummed a simple tune that was more captivating than any the radio has offered.  We finally surprised my father - the most notorious of guessers - with his Christmas gift.  Mr. Pedantic read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to me on Christmas Eve, just before we closed our eyes.  

But, one of my very favorite moments came the day after Christmas, when my uncle sat down at the piano and freely played renditions of our favorite Christmas songs, which we would hum for him if he could not quite remember the tune.  He does not read music, not a note, but he can match any tune you can hum.  The familiar melodies flowed easily from his fingertips and I sat there on my parent's sofa, completely content and truly thankful for all that lay around me. 

It is always hard for me to let go of the holidays, and this year is no different.  However, I hope that with each Christmas that passes, my joy is learning to be planted less in the temporal, and more so in thankfulness. Thankfulness for the lasting treasures that I constantly see around me. Thankfulness for my family and my husband.  Those joys are not lost when the Christmas tree is packed away. 

Now, I know you want New Year's recipes so I'll be back soon!  xoxo

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie