October - It's Decorative Gourd Season Mother@#$%^&*

You can see these on the front stoop, right now. They're being decorative.

Many years ago, perhaps seven or something, I was at a book club meeting and one of the ladies loudly piped up, in a silent lul, "It's decorative gourd season mother@#$%^&*!" And she drew from her pocket one of the most magnificent pieces I have ever heard or read in my entire life. The room was silent as she began to read.  The silence lasted only mere seconds as the words tumbled from her mouth. She was, first of all, an excellent wordsmith herself and an even better expresser of said words. The 10 of us in the room were quite literally rolling on the floor, stomachs clutched in pain, as we wretched with hysteria at this freaking awesome phenomenon!

I myself at the time, never knew or had even heard of McSweeney's. But my word, it was a gift of spirit that night, that I was so vigorously introduced to the wonder of a great laugh, an interesting story or a blathering of sophisticated etymology that has now become a pretty exceptional companion.

So, for your autumn reading pleasure,  may I suggest you go and read this wonderful work of art by Colin Nissan.  It's Decorative Gourd Season, Mother@#$%^&*. Beware, the language is @#$%!

Treasures

This is Amadeus.

Amadeus is one of my all time favorite things. He inspired a new post (this one ;) and a new category on P and P. From time to time I'll do a "Treasures" post that will showcase my little ditties, specialty items and tchotchkes in my own collection. And sometimes little things that I want.

Amadeus was an Ermine in his life. Now he only looks like one. I found him here in Sacramento at one of my favorite stores. It's a charming little store called Bleu.

In the next couple of weeks I'll share several of my favorite shops - provided that you like to shop a bit. I consider myself a boutique maven. I have a friend that joins me just about every Spring to do a whirlwind Sacramento Boutique Day. That sounds like something I should actually put together as an actual event. Epiphany!

Fancy Tarragon Aioli

Yield: 1 CupAuthor: Me!

Fancy Tarragon Aioli

This is great on hard cooked eggs (pictured) and roasted artichokes or any type of crudite. My husband likes it on a roast beef sandwich with tomato, onion and Arugula.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 Cup olive oil mayonnaise
• 1/2 Cup sour cream
• 1 Tbs dried Tarragon
• 1 Tsp Garlic Salt
• 1 lemon, juiced and zested
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine all ingredients well.
2. Transfer to a fancy serving bowl, cover and refrigerate until cold (about an hour).
3. Serve with par cooked carrots, asparagus and broccoli. Or, a boiled and then roasted artichoke.

Created using The Recipes Generator

Crustless Goat Cheese Vegetable Tatin

Before going in to the oven.

This one is not just a pretty face. She packs a wallop of health and tops it with a cherry of exceptional taste.

There are certain vegetables my husband does not like. Summer squash, like Zephyr, Zucchini and Crook Neck are on the "I won't eat them, so do not cook them," list. Unless I fancy them up like in this amazing and super easy crustless "tarte."

Happy St. Patricks Day and a Brand New Soda Bread

Credit: Joan Lamoreau

Yep, I've been really, really lazy. Just so you know, blogging is hard, keeping up with life and then adding said life to blog even harder and then there is the pressure. You see something cool, you want to share something cool and then you realize laundry and groceries trump something cool.

But I'm getting back to it. Who knows how often or when or what or anything. But I'll do my best to get back to chronicling cool stuff. I have a Pin Board that is even called Basic Coolness. I like cool stuff, knowing full well that my cool is not the same as somebody else's cool, but (said with a twinkle in my eye) I know who my tribe is and they know who I am.

With that said, I am going to dedicate this post to my friend Peter. He lost his mother yesterday, and the world is a lesser place without Elaine.