That damn Barnes and Noble

Christopher Kimball sent me to bn.com with a mere "My 10 Favorite Cookbooks" email. Like definitely! Indeed the new Crystal Bowersox CD would make a wonderful self-present,...for Valentine's Day?

Of course I had to stop by toys to see which delights I could find for Taylor, my about-to-turn nine year old daughter. And I'm passing up the I Love You tree? Made of Shrinky Dinks! There's an Easter version which is equally nostalgic and trendy (raising mine to be artists). Had to remind myself to wait on the Scholastic, Inc Style Studio, another brilliant toy birthed by Klutz. Maybe in June.

Speaking of about-to-be thirteen year old fashion designing daughters, and presents, and planning ahead like attentive mothers should...paint by number cupcakes would be just right for her. And ten dollars I can afford!

Cooking

I returned from the grocery store after a well-spent, efficient trip. Got every item on my list and luckily without trying. Began in the music...it's Taylor's birthday, do I get KidzBop 19 or Taylor Swift's old CD Fearless. Kidz Bop, apparently.

But it's when I got home that I amazed myself most. I picked up my kids, then admired my purchases, and here's just the breads:

2 packs hot dog buns (bought those no-nitrate Angus weiners, Oscar Mayer)

2 loaves brown bread (New England to be exact)

Then, a pack of petite kaiser rolls (until I learn to make them myself), for deli meats upon deli meats, upon cheeses.

Oh, just a little black forest ham paired eagerly with imported Austrian Swiss ($9.99/lb...free 1/2 lb cheese w/ every 1-1/2 lb meat purchase, Archer Farms). And some oven roasted turkey with friendly muenster (a whole pound!)

What surprised me as I layed my goods before me, was the basil and feta I needed for tonight's Balsamic Chicken Noodle Bowl...like heaven with pesto.

And I'm developing a new relationship with my freezer.

Snowplay