Favorite things

I was in Marshalls a while back, and saw a bunch of these adorable ramekins.  "Cocottes" they are called.

In spite of being drawn to the irresistible array of colors (TURQUOISE!  LIME!) I walked away.

Later that day, I found the mini-cocotte cookbook in a shi-shi cooking store and realized it was A SIGN!

So, I bought TWO cookbooks and trotted back to Marshalls and picked up a slew of the cocottes, promptly mailing a set to my sister for her birthday.

The cookbook has the most lovely recipes and pics.....pear bread pudding, chicken pot pies, molten chocolate cakes, all in miniature.  Like the baby pygmy goats a friend of mine just brought home, everything in this book is just too cute for words.

I haven't made anything yet, but I will, and I'll let you know how it turns out.

In hindsight, I realize though, that I should have purchased a set of 8.....in order to make both a main dish AND a dessert in the same meal.  Wonder if there are any left.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm 

For those in need of a little perspective....

I watched a compelling documentary this weekend:

http://www.godgrewtiredofus.com/

I knew it would be hard to watch, and it was, though not in an overly heavy handed way, I sat through it with my 14 year old and it was not inappropriate for him....I wouldn't show it to younger kids, I don't think, just because the imagery of starving children, while brief, is explicit.

I remember hearing about the conflict in the Sudan and about the "Lost Boys" but I definitely wasn't aware of all the details, or the fact that a number of them were given homes and employment here in the United States. 

It is both a heartbreaking and uplifting story, narrated by Nicole Kidman, (whose voice I could listen to reading the contents of a cereal box and still think it fascinating) that I would recommend. 

Sh*t My Daughter Says No.2

Dear Pepperidge Farms,

In regards to your Ancient Grains bread, I do not happen to be an Egyptian time traveller in need of a taste of home.  Therefore, this entire marketing strategy is lost on me.

Try again,