There is nothing to get a person motivated quite like a good-natured public kick in the ass. And when it’s delivered by the undeniably lovely Zuzu*Petals, herself a NaNoWriMo winner and adherent to the “less talk, more writing” mantra, it makes it all the more, well, motivating.

I haven’t updated my teeny little corner of the universe since July. I haven’t done a lot of things I’ve been meaning to do. But armed with this hot (seriously, have you seen her photos?) little fire under my behind, I’m feeling suddenly like getting something done. Know what I mean?

Since I do like to write lists to keep me organized, and since I wrote one on here before, why not post another? I might not get to all the points, but there are plenty of things I’d like to share. In no particular order:

• I went to Chicago with my fabulous beau and ate my weight plus some. Seriously, I have not eaten that much in such a short time ever. Three words for you: Alinea, Trotter’s, Moto. Three more words for you: Greatest culinary experience. (Ever.)
• Montréal, way back in August, was a delight. And yes, I ate me some food there too! Charlie Trotter would be disappointed though, as I made sure to get some foie gras in on my very first night.
• Recently, I’ve mastered the Zuni roast chicken (aka The Greatest Roast Chicken Recipe Ever); determined that, while I can make all sorts of difficult, complicated things on the first try, if something is idiot proof (like, say, Jim Lahey’s No-Knead bread) then I will find a way to not quite get it right and be disappointed; fallen in love with Orangette’s cranberry ginger chutney, which was nicknamed cranberry crack by Conrad; finally found a gorgeous chocolate pudding/pot de crème recipe; and cooked up a wide variety of other tasty items, such as the truly outstanding coconut rice vetted by the lovely Wednesday Chef.
• I’ve been working too, but that’s boring.
• Someone bought me the most beautiful pair of shoes ever ever ever (Costume National!!), but I’m not allowed to wear them yet. I had to share. Shoes!

I can’t wait to tell you all about the restaurants I visited on my two trips, because I’m still talking about them, weeks and even months later. Seriously, enough talk. More writing.

1. I had a wonderful, wonderful birthday. Thank you to all to helped make it lovely, memorable, and fabulous. And thank you to all those who have made plans to continue the festivities in the coming days and weeks! What an amazing bunch of people I have the honor to know and love.

2. Speaking of birthdays…

And another…

Oh, and what the heck. With the dough hook in action:

I realize in that last one it looks as if I’m mixing oatmeal (or something rather questionable), but I’m using the dough hook (I have a dough hook!) to make that multi-grain bread I mentioned a few posts down. Said bread is now cooling, which is why I’m posting a blog at nearly 1:00 am, rather than sleeping, which is what I should be doing!

But oh, look at that pearly white gorgeous piece of machinery! I love it so.

3. I no longer hate cilantro.

4. On Wednesday I will be making a quick jaunt up to LA and will be picking up some Le Marin butter (I hope).

5. I took my field exam last Thursday, and overall I think it went well. We shall see, but what’s best is that it’s done.

6. Did I mention I have some wonderful people in my life?

7. Holy gorgeous handmade tango shoes from Buenos Aires, Batgirl… now that’s a birthday gift!

8. My band, with the new guitarist and drummer, sounds better than ever! I can’t wait to play again.

9. And speaking of music, an old friend rang me up to see if I wanted to sit in with his jazz combo this summer.

10. A friend and professor is in full remission! She hasn’t been able to say this for five years, and she just found out. I saw her today and she told me the news – she looked so different, but it was so clearly a difference that came from the inside. It still makes my heart tighten a bit think about it, and I get such a good, happy feeling.

11. Dark gray salt caramels from Fran’s Chocolates. Buy them. Now.

Not so brief after all… and there’s more! For later…