Birthday for me, means food for you.

I sent my baby a list of things I want for my birthday and told him to pick one (or two or three). But then I saw this...

and now all I want are some wooden utensils. So I think I'll ask him for a Williams & Sonoma gift card.

I think.

Then I could buy this...

Oh Lordy.

...or this...



...or this...



...or this.



So that I can make this...



...or this...



...or this...

Did I mention that I am seriously ready for colder weather (and a bigger kitchen) so I can cook all day and make everyone's bellies full? That's a trait I inherited from my mom. It's one of those genes I don't mind having. Like my big brown doll eyes. The worry-wart trait, on the other hand... I really wouldn't have minded if that little gem had somehow mutated into a gene strand that gave me incredible wit and hilarity.

I just don't know...

...which...

...one...

...I like...

...more.

Today is Tuesday

I hate Tuesdays.

Today is...
...four hours of a standardized test.
...a slow leak in my rear tire.
...a chip in my windshield.
...a messy and uninspiring apartment.
...waiting for a phone call about a job.
...terrified of leaving my love.
...fat.

Yesterday was...
...inspiration to build a vermiculture unit for my mom's birthday.
...slow kisses and deliberate love.
...beer tasting.
...meat, bread, and cheese platter. *swoon*
..."You're so beautiful."

TGIF

Trusting... that my thirst for knowledge and wanderlust (they go hand in hand) will stay subdued for a little bit longer. That I will calm my heart and learn to love without questioning. That one day I will be completely happy with my health. But I'll have health insurance anyways.

Grateful... for my honey's childish enthusiasm. His unfaltering patience. For someone making me laugh everyday. For family. For being missed. For a job, even if it isn't permanent. For a makeshift plan of teaching credentials. For learning how to cry.

Inspired... by J.K. Rowling's mind. By this little lady...



...by green energy...

Solar Powered Laptop Bag and Charger

...Zooey Deschanel's voice (speaking and singing) and roadtrips with unconditional friends.

Feeling... tired. Drained. Like I've lost the excitement. Undecided, but ready. For what, though?

Brown Butter Cookies

I believe I have not nearly perfected but perhaps strengthened a recipe that I found. The Brown Butter Cookie Company definitely perfected it but I doubt they will give me their recipe. Especially since they sell their 1 inch in diameter cookies for $1 dollar each. Here's a picture of their cookie- followed by my recipe adapted from Gourmet.

May I just add that you should not store your flour where you previously stored coffee. You will get a latte taste in all of your cookie recipes. But I guess if you're into that...



Brown Butter Cookies with Sea Salt

Ingredients:

1 cup salted butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 Tbs sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
Sea Salt

1. In a small saucepan, melt butter on low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned. Stir in sugars and vanilla and remove from heat.
2. Let the sugar mixture cool to room temperature.
3. In a mixing bowl add flour and baking powder. Stir in sugar mixture until combined.
4. At this point I recommend letting the mixture rest for at least an hour to let the flour absorb all the butter. The mixture may be stiff afterwords and crumbly- microwave handfuls of dough for 10 seconds. The dough will be easier to roll.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
6. Roll 1 inch balls of dough and dip in sea salt. Place on cookie sheet with sea salt on top.
7. Bake for 15 minutes.

**Note: If your cookies don't turn out as good as you hoped- go to Brown Butter Cookie Company in Cayucos for some delicious treats.

Tuesday I take the CBEST. And that's all I have to say about that.

I want to go see Harry Potter SOOO BAD. I'm thinking of going at lunch and not telling anyone. That way no one will be mad that I saw it without them. Personally, I don't care how like the book it is. Read the book and get lost in that world and then watch the movie and get lost in a different but similar world. I see that as a good thing.



I also want to see Whatever Works, Food, Inc., (500) Days of Summer, and this movie...



I love movies that are full of unapologetically insane people.

And now here's some random song lyrics...

I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules
But baby I broke them all for you
Because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks
You do
I was made for you
You see the smile that's on my mouth
It's hiding the words that don't come out
And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess

And now I would like to rant...

Is it wrong to look back fondly on the first time you were heartbroken? It may be slightly masochistic and it definitely wasn't fun while it was happening. Just like I look back on my tear-filled swimming lessons. It's a right of passage, I guess.

Just Some Things...

Meryl Streep makes a BRILLIANT Julia Child. I cannot wait to see this.

Last week, I got offered a seasonal position with the Big Horn National Forest in Wyoming. What season, I do not know. Hopefully it is not winter. Otherwise I will be dressed as the marshmallow man and people will laugh at me- therefore scarring my self esteem and ultimately dooming any hope of ruling the world. OR I will be a popsicle and a moose will eat me.

But if it isn't winter, I will be SO excited. Because this...

...is what that place looks like. And I'd be doing something I'm really good at! Mapping! I will keep you updated.

Also, here are a few things that I found on Etsy that I am lusting over (and therefore would love for my birthday. hehe) Unfortunately, a lot of them are rather pricey, and in today's economy... yada yada blada.

ZOMG it's moss on a ring!!

Support wind power. It's a lot better for the environment than hydropower.

Natural Peridot. Mmmm it's so deliciously natural.


The Four Seasons. Love simplicity.

And this is random- but if I have babies with a gamer, s/he will be wearing this...

The end.

And the award goes to....

Every year, Cal Poly comes out with a "Best of SLO" newspaper where they list the best seafood, best burger, best place to eat when you're drunk as fuck, etc.

So I decided to come up with my own "Best of." Or more like "The Best I've Ever Had Anywhere- But Pretty Much Limited to California." This mostly arose from a debate I had yesterday with my boyfriend regarding the best steak on the central coast. So here we go- we'll start with steak.

Best Steak:
The Hitching Post in Casmalia, CA
Order the Filet Mignon- you'll forget about everything else on your plate.

Best Burger:
Sylvester's Burgers in Los Osos, CA
Big, Hot, and Juicy. I like the mushroom or sauted onion. SO GOOD. Do NOT go to the Sylvester's in Atascadero. No bueno.


Best Cookie:
Cowboy Cookies in San Luis Obispo, CA
All of them are amazing. Try to get there when they're still hot.

Best Clam Chowder:
Splash Cafe in Pismo Beach, CA
Clam Chowder in a sourdough breadbowl. The one in SLO is pretty good but it's just not the same.


Best Seafood Dish:
Bubba Gump's in Monterey, CA
Stuffed Shrimp. Nuf' said.


Best Italian Dish:
Giuseppe's in Pismo Beach, CA
I love the gnocci. Disclaimer: I'm not rich enough to try every Italian restaurant I come across so the sampling is a little biased. I hear Giancarlo's in Morro Bay is very good.


Best Stew/Soup:
A.J. Spurs in Arroyo Grande, CA
There's a bunch of locations all over the central coast and the food is pretty consistent. The stew comes with the meal in a cast iron pot. Free refills. :)


Best Beer Selection:
Spike's in San Luis Obispo, CA
Try all their beers and get a t-shirt. Or just buy a t-shirt cause it's a lot cheaper.


Best Dessert:
Taco Temple in Morro Bay, CA
I thought I was going to die from nirvana overdose when I had their Chai Cheesecake. I don't say things like that- ever.


Best Location:
Olde Port Inn in Avila Beach, CA
It's on a pier and the tables are see-through so you can see the ocean below. :) Also, their bacon wrapped shrimp is phenom.


Best Burrito:
Freebirds in Santa Barbara, CA
There are no words.


And finally.....

Best Cupcake:
Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverley Hills, CA
I like Strawberry. This is the only location that I have had that's any good.