Friday Things
1. In the week between Christmas and New Year’s, we more than made up for our lack of snow accumulation in Pittsburgh last year. We had two significant snowfalls within four days, and I couldn’t have been happier. There’s nothing more relaxing that watching the snow fall quietly to the ground, and then enjoying the pristine white view for days to come. I hope we have more days like this!
2. Right after Thanksgiving, my mom and I sat down and made a list of all the holiday recipes we had hoped to make before Christmas. We fell far, far short of our goal. We only ended up making about one-fourth of the the recipes on the list. Although, to be fair, a couple were made more than once ;-) How did you fare with your holiday baking list? Do you have any secrets for getting everything done?
3. The day after our first snowfall, I saw two buck prancing through my Chief Culinary Consultant’s backyard. Luckily, they were slow enough that I was able to grab one good shot of the larger one. I grew up having deer pass through my backyard, but I’ve never seen a buck, and never so close to the house! Such a beautiful animal…
4. I see an awful lot of New Year’s resolutions floating around the web. Please tell me I’m not the only one who hasn’t made them. Maybe I should set “goals” – that seems like something that could be more doable. I do this this approach that Ree took, using the letters of the word to define broader objectives and then more actionable goals. Although the words “goals”, “objectives” and “actionable” give me nightmares about my previous corporate, cubicle life. I’m not sure I could do that either. I need to work on this.
5. If you have made some New Year’s resolutions and they have anything to do with adopting a healthier lifestyle, check out The Healthy Living Manifesto. I’d imagine that adopting any number of these could help you work toward your goal (more detailed information on each one in link)…
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6. Last year, I posted my 2012 Foodie Resolutions. While I didn’t do a separate post this year, there are definitely some kitchen and food-related tasks that I hope to accomplish in 2013:
- Make sourdough bread.
- Expand on my canning experience and begin preserving seasonal fruits and vegetables.
- Make fresh, homemade pasta and sauce and keep in the freezer for easy dinners.
- Master sfogliatelle once and for all!
- Continue experimenting with more ethnic dishes.
What about you? Do you have any food or kitchen-related goals for this year?
7. I have been craving a new pair of boots and Mom-Santa generously gifted me with a Nordstrom gift card for such a purchase. I’ve been eyeing up Sorel boots for the winter, but can’t decide between the Tofino Boot (on the left) or the Joan of Arctic Boot (on the right). Do any of you have either pair? Reviews? I like the Tofino, they would match my new winter jacket, although the Joan of Arc boots look more heavy duty, but have heard they can be a little clunky. I have short legs, so that plays into my decision as well. If you have either pair or have tried them on (neither were in stock at my local Nordstrom the other day), I’d love to hear your thoughts!
8. The NHL is still locked out, and I’ve been missing my hockey fix. As part of my Christmas gift, Chief Culinary Consultant-Santa gifted me with tickets to the Three Rivers Classic, which was a college hockey tournament held over the holidays at Consol Energy Center here in Pittsburgh. We got to watch a double-header of Robert Morris University vs. Penn State and Miami University vs. Ohio State. It was great to watch some hockey at the arena, get my token souvenir cup, and even better that the hometown team, Robert Morris, ended up winning the entire tournament!
9. I’ve really fallen off of the reading wagon, and badly. I’m hoping to do more reading in the coming months, although I haven’t checked out any fiction books in a long, long time. What was the best book you read in 2012? I’m going to start a to-read list!
10. TGIF! I hope you’re all recovered from any New Year’s Eve shenanigans!
Hockey’s back!!!!!!!!!! (yes, it required that amount of exclamation marks)
I don’t do resolutions. I think they’re silly. I made a few goals and that’s it. Nothing to do with eating healthy, losing weight, or anything like that. I think it puts too much stress on a person!
I just bought the Tofino boots! Haven’t worn them yet, but ended up paying under $50 for them at the Columbia Outlet in Washington PA! Great deal!
Oooh, that is a great deal! I was there the weekend after Thanksgiving, I’ll have to remember to keep an eye out for sales!
If you master sfoglietelle you will be my hero of 2013 – especially if I can follow in your footsteps and do it myself!! So far everything I have tried of yours has been amazing, so I can’t wait to see this! =]
I have to agree that canning and sourdough bread are on my 2013 to do list.
Cutting for Stone was the best book that I’ve read this year.
I, too, bought the Joan of Arctics (from amazon) and returned them because they felt too heavy and clunky. I got the Tofinos next and, for me, they are perfect. I live near Denver and they are great for walking kids to school in the snow and running errands about town. I think the Joan of Arctics are warmer – my feet can get a little bit cold in Tofinos on a long walk if it’s really cold outside. So, for me, if I needed a super-warm boot for trekking through snow, I’d go with Joan of Arctics. For less intense applications, the Tofino is lighter and more comfy .
You bet! If you ever make it out to San Francisco (it’s gorgeous here… So you definitely should! ;) ) you should go to Boudin Sourdugh at Pier 39… They are still using the sourdough starter that originated during the Gold Rush! On a totally nerdy note: I was so excited you replied to my post. My husband was laughing at me! You’re like a celebrity- a baking superstar, really- in our house! Just made the choc chip cookies bars with the layer of salted caramel… AMAZING! There’s nothing wrong with dessert before dinner, right?!
Have you been to SF? If not, a trip here would truly inspire your Sourdough Bread journey! We are so lucky to have the best sourdough! As for books…if you haven’t read “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon, you really should. It’s a terrific fiction series! My favorite! There are 8 books, I have read them all multiple times and listened to the audio books too! The audio books are great for a road trip- even my husband enjoyed it! Now that is sayin something! ;)
Hi Cherissa, I’ve never been to San Francisco, but I do hear it’s the bread capital! Thanks so much for the book recommendation!
I have the Joan of Arc boots, got them last year, and I love them. They are big, massive boots – I wear a size 10, and they make my feet look giant, but when it’s 0 degrees I don’t care! They keep me nice and warm. I would say they are a bit clunky, but not horribly so. I’d definitely recommend them!
The best book I read last year, hands down, was _Bungalow_ by Sarah Jio. It was a deeply satisfying story, and one of those books that you just can’t put down until you know how it ends. Loved it, and everyone I’ve recommended or given it to feels the same way. Jio has a new book out that I’m using as a carrot to get some must-do tasks out of the way. I can’t wait to have the chance to read it!
Ready Player One is the best book I read in 2012 and maybe ever. I just started Gone Girl and am already hooked. I don’t set New Year’s resolutions but have used the opportunity of the New Year to push myself to work hard and make things happen for my blog this year.
I made sfogliatelle once last winter–it was a bit of an undertaking in terms of time but not very difficult in execution! Couldn’t find semolina for the filling but read that cream of wheat was a sub and it worked shockingly well. Also makes me want to eat Cream of Wheat with ricotta, cinnamon, and orange peel for breakfast…
Anyway, some advice–
–Use a pasta roller to roll out the dough–you want it almost as thin as phyllo (for me it was the thinnest setting on the roller, 2 settings thinner than I’d use for ravioli). While this does limit you in terms of the width of roll, that doesn’t actually affect the final shape of the sfogliatelle (since you’re just cutting slices from it). I think my final dough pieces were about 6 feet long (whatever the length of the kitchen island). The longer the pieces/the more you add, the wider your shell will be.
–The thicker the butter layer, the better the shape of the final shell (layers are more pronounced).
–Take your thin slices of rolled dough and push your hand through them, thinking of the dough as a collapsible cup that you’re “un-collapsing.” Use a wooden spoon handle to push out the center of the roll if your hands aren’t small enough.
–Don’t be OCD about trying to seal them. The filling is dry enough that it won’t leak out, and many bakeries actually leave them open.
Good luck with your baking adventures!
Hi Melanie, Thank you so much for the tips on making sfogliatelle. Do you by any chance have a link to the recipe you used?
Unfortunately the recipe I used was from a book, called Naples at Table: Cooking in Campania. Google Books will let you see the description (page 383) but not the actual recipe (on 384, of course). If you are interested in doing some Southern Italian cooking and baking, though, it’s a great resource!
No resolutions for me, though I did think of you today when I tried a macaroon and a chocolate cookie at lunch today. Does one of each kind count as “everything in moderation?”
I really enjoyed reading Anita Shreve’ s books All He Ever Wanted, Sea Glass, and Fortunes Rocks.
No resolutions for me….read Defending Jacob – I thought it was a lot better than Gone Girl. I may be alone in saying this, but I wasn’t too impressed with Gone Girl (my opinion.) Also enjoyed The Kitchen House and The Language of Flowers. Please master the sfogliatelle, it’s my ultimate favorite Italian dessert. When I was in Italy, I actually had one hot right out of the oven of a local bakery – it was to die for! I did see Alex (from Food Network) make them but the reviews weren’t good, so I didn’t attempt. Please keep the snow there, I rather a mild New England winter like me had last year :-)
I have the Joan of Arctic boots, and I love them. They are super warm, but I can see how people may think they are clunky. I got mine from Piperlime last year. I really got my first good use of them these past couple of weeks, and I did not have any issues with blisters. I would read some online reviews, though, b/c I did see that a lot of people had issues with the heels/ankles. You may want to check out Pajar boots, too, b/c they have some cute styles. Esp. if you’re looking for “boots with the fur.”
Unfortunately, I am currently in corporate cubicle life (and would love to get out of it at some point!), so I totally feel you on the goals. I don’t do goals or resolutions. Life is life. If I get to a point where I feel like I need to make a change, I don’t wait for a new year to roll around!
Looking forward to some great recipes this coming year! Thanks for your fantastic blog!
I think I just saw the Joan of Arc boots on sundancecatalog.com on sale and extra 40% off. For sure the Cate ones were on there cuz I have been checking those ones out. Gone Girl was just plain crazy, it totally sucks you in though. I read it a few months ago and I still think about it. Usually, I barely give books a thought after I’m done reading them. I had one recipe left to bake for Christmas and never got them done. Otherwise we did really well this year for a change.
I have the Joan of Arctic boot and think they are great! Yes, they are a bit more heavy duty but I get complimented on them all the time. I live in Minnesota so trekking through snow is something I have to do a lot of and these haven’t let me down. Also if you’d like to save your Nordstroms gift card for something else you should try 6pm.com. That’s where I bought mine for $80.00 instead of $150.00 just because it was last year’s color!
i’m not sure if you read young adult fiction or not, but the biggest standout for me (and recommended by a coworker as well as my friend the book store manager) was ‘sea of tranquility’ by katja millay. it’s only available in e-book right now, but i believe it’s due out in paperback this spring. so, so good. loved it. devoured it. can’t recommend it enough.
Love this post! Our family LOVES sfogliatelle but I have never thought of making it. Do post it if you have success. I found some delicious apricot filled sfogliatelle at an Italian Market in MN called Buon Giorno. It was our Christmas morning present opening treat!
I grew up with Sorel boots in MN. I have had the Joan of Arctic boots for a few years and love them. People in MN wear them with everything from jeans to skirts:)
Well, if you’re into medieval/fantasy, A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) is a must must must read. It’s not finished yet, but with 5 books about 800 pages each, it’ll keep you entertained for most of the year.
And by the way, do cupcakes count as bright colored food?
Absolutely!
I love Game of Thrones on HBO, so I just might like the books, too! Thanks for the recommendation. Also, cupcakes totally count as a bright-colored food ;-)
I actually posted a Cooking Bucket List on my blog as a sort of “resolution”… I know I won’t make all of them this year, but I’ve been meaning to write out all the things I’ve been wanting to make from scratch (like cheese, beer, homemade bagels, etc)…Pasta is also on my list!
my two favorite books of 2012 were ‘room’ and ‘gone girl’…i highly recommend them both!
i, too, am a big fan of sorel boots and, as others have noted, they can be a bit clunky at first, but they just end up making you feel more powerful and in control on snow and ice…
Oops, Joan of Arctic boots!
I actually had your exact same dilemma when I went into Little’s Shoes in Squirrel Hill (I live in Pittsburgh, too!) to pick out a set of winter boots. I originally thought that I would like the Joan of Arc boots, but they were SOOO big and clunky and heavy and made me walk all “thunk thunk thunk.” So I tried on the Tofino boots and they were a perfect mix of heavy duty (all Sorel boots are waterproof) and wearable…and so cute to boot haha. I’ve had them for about a month now, and not only are they winter Pittsburgh-proof but I’ve also gotten a ton of compliments on them! I bought them in red, and when I got them Little’s Shoes was having a $99 boots sale which may be still going on.
Ha, I love that last photo!
Iowagirleats tried on the Joan of Arctic boots and did not like how they felt. She was very disappointed about this and was going to try something else. You will have to bring socks that you plan to wear with them and try them on. Be sure to walk and run around a bit too because if they are heavy in the store they will feel even heavier when you are out and about in the snow.
Good Morning Michelle,
First of all, I look forward to opening your mail every morning. Being an Italian girl as well, I would love to master the art of making Sfogliatelle.
They are the best! Have you ever had a Lobster Tail ( pastry)? Yum!
I have not had a Lobster Tail, but have heard about them. I believe they have more of a pastry cream inside?
Great snowy photos!
I haven’t made resolutions. I’m so over doing that. This year, I want to slow down a bit. That is my one goal. I always feels like life is moving so quickly and so I want to be sure to take time to savor things and time!
I have the Joan of Arctic boots! They are adorable. Definitely a little clunky, but super cute, warm and protective!
Here are my picks in each category that I read in the last year.
Best Nonfiction-Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin
Best Fiction- Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran and the first book in the Game of Thrones series by George Martin.