southern cocktails

Last week on my Georgia vacay, I purchased a fabulous book ... one that's more than worth sharing. It's called Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions, and Classic Libations. Not only are the recipes phenomenal, but the photographs, narratives, and overall presentation are lovely.

Up to my lips and down to my hips

The further it goes, the better it gits.

Here's peace at home and plenty abroad.

Love your wife and serve the Lord--Drink!

--Early antebellum South toast

(I'm currently looking for a great set of the silver/pewter julep cups [on the book cover] to have monogrammed for myself. There's something about the condensation on the outside of the cup that makes me drool ....)

bella nigella returns

Nigella Lawson is coming back to TV!

Per yumsugar ...

If you're a huge fan of Nigella Lawson, like I am, get excited. The British bombshell of a chef is set to begin filming a new series. In an interview with TV Squad, Lawson reveals that a program based on her recently released cookbook, Nigella Fresh, will start shooting in a month or so.

Some of her recipes are a little 'out there'--things I'd probably never make; but much of her culinary fare is super sinfully delish. And it always reminds me of my British mother (who hooked me on Nigella from the start). Watching her whip together her Pasta with Ham, Peas, and Cream (photo below), for example, is a thing of beauty (no, it's not low-cal/low-fat; but yes, it's high yum).

This makes me happy:

Don't look for Nigella Lawson to go on a crusade to help America eat better. While she admires what Jamie Oliver is doing, she also likes her potato chips. Lawson's book, 'Nigella Fresh,' recently hit shelves in paperback form on April 20 and the British food writer is getting ready to freshen up your kitchen year-round with new recipes and a new series.

Cannot wait.

xo giada

One of my faves, Giada, left her mark for me on her latest book, Giada at Home.


I admit it. I borderline stalk her. She's amazing.

(Thanks, Mom)

new gdl book

On sale, beginning March 30:


I adore Giada. I have all of her books and have even been known to stand in ridiculously long lines to see her/get her autograph. But I have a confession: Since she had her baby last year, I'm not as over-the-moon with what she's been doing on her show. Maybe it's just me (and I'm completely willing to admit that); but her cooking has taken on a tone of "This is what Todd likes," and "Now that I've had the baby ..." to which I just can't relate.

I'm happy for her continued success--personally and professionally--and I'm eager to check out her new book. But I'm missing the old Giada just a little bit.

out with the old

The end of one decade and the beginning of a new one brings on a state of serious reflection. It's more than a little mind-boggling, overwhelming, and staggering to think of the past ten years. I have regrets. A fuckload of 'em.

I also have a boon of blessings. No need to dwell on maudlin ruminations of days and people gone by; rather, I will endeavor to shatter expectations--others' and my own.

In that spirit, I think these book boxes are scandalously fun. They're the perfect place to hide a whole new year's worth of treasures, pipe dreams, prospects, and/or perhaps something(s) naughty.

Cheers. And HNY.

cooking the cowboy way

New cookbooks are a dime a dozen, but soon-to-be-released Cooking the Cowboy Way: Recipes Inspired by Campfires, Chuck Wagons, and Ranch Kitchens by Grady Spears (October 20, 2009) definitely looks purchase-worthy.

From the publisher:
"Native Texan and cowboy-turned-chef Grady Spears has created cowboy menus for restaurants he co-owned in Fort Worth, Texas; Granbury, Texas; and Beverly Hills, California, as well as for the Bush family at the Texas Governor's Mansion. This is Grady's fifth cookbook. He owns Grady's Restaurant in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas."

A few of the mouth-watering recipes include: Wildcatter Creamed Spinach, Cayenne-rubbed Ribeye with Lime Butter, Wild Mustang Salad, Grilled Salmon with Barbecue Sauce, Autumn Pear Crisp, and a Wildcatter Top-shelf Margarita.

And based on a sneak preview from Google books, the photography inside is equally delicious.

Can't wait to get my hands on it and test-drive some of its offerings soon!

the cheese chronicles

Knowing of my freakish and never-ending rapture for all things queso, one of my besties, Kayla, surprised me by sending this book yesterday! Woo hoo! It's always big fun to open the door to the strapping, brown-clad UPS guy -- particularly when you're not expecting him!

Here's what the book's publisher has to say:

"The Cheese Chronicles is an insider's look at the burgeoning world of American cheese from one lucky person who has seen more wedges and wheels, visited more cheesemakers, and tasted more delicious (and occasionally stinky) American cheese than anyone else."

I haven't started reading it yet, but I CAN'T WAIT to do so. Organized into nine chapters, author Liz Thorpe also provides a bunch of fantastic "sidebar" comments, such as:

• I'll See Your Piquancy and Raise You Peppery
• Tasting with Your Nose
• Why I Hate "Swiss" Cheese
• Why is Goat Cheese White?
  

Cheese, how I love you. Huge thanks, K ... mwah!

I leave you with some eye candy from Murray's Cheese in NYC, where Thorpe is second in command:

how did it happen?

A U G U S T.

The eighth month of the year. Although it's still baking outside, the first day of fall is next month. So let's live it up, summer style . . . .

This Friday is First Friday in Downtown Bryan. These First Fridays celebrations at the beginning of each month are a time to eat yummy food and listen to live music, then walk it off in Historic Downtown Bryan while enjoying all of the shops that stay open late. The abundant availability of local produce and homemade goods is a plus too.


Speaking of produce ... I still have many a berry and veggie with which to cook in August. I'm thinking of trying out this recipe in the next few days (it received great reviews):

Summer Vegetable Crêpes (Eating Well Magazine)

Then there are the [non scholarly] books I'm currently checking off my list. I now have in my possession each of the gems to which I referred a few weeks ago. Very eager to dive in.

August has some marvy TV also. All this week: SHARK WEEK. Season 3 of Flipping Out with precious, yet certifiable Jeff Lewis premiers August 18. Ghost Hunters (woo hoo!) returns with new episodes on August 19. And Project Runway makes its new home on Lifetime, when Season 6 kicks off August 20 (meet the 16 designers here!). Great stuff.


Texas A&M soccer returns to action on August 15. Believe it or not, soccer games out at the Aggie Soccer Stadium are actually pretty electric--a great atmosphere.


Hurricane season is at its peak in August, as described in the Mariner's Poem:

June -- too soon.
July -- stand by!
August -- look out you must.
September -- remember.
October -- all over.

August 31 ... first day of classes at TAMU. I'm teaching two sections of an undergrad early childhood course. No doubt it'll provide some rich blog material in the coming months! :)

So enjoy a nap. Drink some awesome wine. Fire up the grill. And get out there and do whatever it is you do.

Happy August.

book slut

That is what I am.

It's so not like me to be currently and simultaneously juggling three different books (Dr. Thompson's Behavioral Statistics doesn't count); but that's my literary trampish way right now. I'm sharing all three titles, as each one is recommendation-worthy.

The Fixer Upper (Mary Kay Andrews)

The Doomsday Key (James Rollins)

I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti (Giulia Melucci)

And here are a few new releases with which I am dying to curl up soon:

It's Not Me, It's You: Subjective Recollections from a Terminally Optimisitic, Chronically Sarcastic and Occasionally Inebriated Woman (Stephanie Wilder-Taylor)


The Lace Makers of Glenmara (Heather Barbieri)

Drawing in the Dust (Zoe Klein)