I own far too many cookbooks. And when I woke up on January 1st and sat down in my kitchen, I realized that I needed to do something about it. I needed to cook more. Lots more.

So, I decided that I would cook at least one new recipe a week this year. And so far I’ve been pretty good at this resolution. I’ve made the following dishes, which I wish I had pictures of, but since the sad loss of my nifty camera, I’ve been rather bad about taking pictures of the finished goodies.

But I’ve made mexican chocolate pots de creme, chicken thai barley risotto that was quite labor intensive, but resulted in a divine meal. Scallops in a champagne mushroom sauce, pumkin risotto, stuffed pork chops, chicken stuffed with goat cheese, chorizo and pine-nuts, just to name a few. But the best was making matzo ball soup.

Inspired by the beloved Nigella Lawson (I’m rather obsessed with her and even read her biography recently–very British) and the upcoming passover, I decided to make matzo ball soup from scratch. And Nigella made is seem so perfectly easy to make–but then again, I think she does that with everything. Sigh! And I love her dining room. It is my goal to have a dining room lined with books. But I digress.

First I made the stock. I used the carcass of two roasted chickens, and loads of celery, onions, leeks, garlic, carrots, parsley and whatnot. According to this one recipe book, this type of stock is considered a “found stock” made with leftovers and can make a “serviceable stock in a pinch”. I found the taste to be higher than just serviceable. Plus I felt like quite the proper and resourceful homemaker–using every bit of food from the old larder.

And then I made the matzo balls, so light and airy, I was blown away by the final product. And so easy to boot. Matzo ball soup is one of my all time favorite comfort foods–every since I had my first sip at Hymies in Merion, Pennsylvania. True bliss.

Here’s the finished product with extra dill! Yum! Perfect for the spring showers and kosher to boot!

It was a perfect bowl of matzo ball soup.

But no worries, I will get back to discussing crafting soon. I promise. Afterall, I just found out about another friend whose having a baby, so we are up to a dozen baby outfits to make. Oof! Ten to go!

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Well–good news and tough news.

The good news is that Mr. Sweetie and I are finally the owners of a second car. Not just any old car, but a beautiful vintage 1957 Chevy station wagon.

Remember in “The Philadelphia Story” when Katherine Hepburn refers to that boat as “yar”–well whatever “yar” is for cars, this beauty has it in spades.

Now, it’s not perfect, mind you. There are tipples of rust and the upholstery isn’t brand spanking new, but its 50 years old and one must make exceptions at times.

It will be perfect for picking up goodies from the Alameda Flea Market.  And for picnics down the coast at Half Moon Bay. Oh, and with its benches (no bucket seats!) I can just sidle up next to Mr. Sweetie for a smooch mid-drive.

And did I mention it’s pink. PINK! Clearly perfect for when we have two plucky young girls.

And since Mr. Sweetie’s second love is working on vintage cars, well, I think he’ll be having a grand old time on this girl.

Now, what to name it?

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And of course the first photo I bring to you is this one:

Baby Maeve’s little sweater. Little Maeve’s parents both have dark have and this yummy plummy color will work with her coloring. I’m hoping to meet Miss Maeve in person soon.

And we can thank Mr. Sweetie for the pictures. I used a little ivory velvet ribbon to since it all together.

Oh, and this is a pattern I made myself. Top down raglan with a YO increase to make room for the ribbon and a hemmed picot edge. So easy and the finished product is so sweet.  

Two down–and eleven to go!

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I don’t know what everyone was doing last year, but now half my friends seem to be expecting babies this year.

Hmm… I guess I DO know what people were doing last year…

Anyway. Baby Bonanza 2007! Let’s count up the number of friends I have expecting this year (and some that have already popped and need something hand-made from yarn or cloth from me):

1. Carolyn–Eric’s best (wo)man at the wedding just gave birth to little Maeve
2. Rosemary–sweet Rosemary just popped out little Ada, and I think the world became a sweeter place because of it!
3. Sarah–my gal pal from work–a boy
4. Jean–another wonderful friend from work–TBD
5. Jessica–one of my oldest friends is having her second, a boy to be named John
6. Erin–a friend from work who just had a little boy named Declan (I actually did knit a lovely navy sweater for him that I busted out so fast that I didn’t even have time to take a picture of it, but it was just darling
7. Coco–twins for Mary, my favorite Southern Belle
8. Coco–well, you just can’t knit for one of them
9. Lynn–another set of twins
10. Lynn–yup–gotta knit for both of ‘em
11. And last and just announced last Friday, Spieglebaby! Due in November!

So far I’ve knit two of them and I’ll post pictures of Maeve’s little one.

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But alas no camera to take pretty pictures of things.

Not that I’ve been knitting.

Or starting to crochet.

And I’ve been sick… AGAIN. Leaving a trail of balled up tissues everywhere I go.

But I will post something fascinating soon. I promise.

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