Update

So, I compromised on the sequins. I waited to put the jacket on until *after* the ceremony and then thoroughly enjoyed being an animated disco ball for the rest of the night.

{sequins, dancing}

I barely left the dance floor all evening - not sure if that's because the wedding was at a winery or because of the magical powers of the jacket.

P.S. - The jacket is from here and if I had seen the online photos I would never even have considered buying it. But the fit is totally different on me - you'll have to take my word for it because I'm pretty sure that's the only photo we got.

Too much?

Is it appropriate to wear a gold sequined jacket to someone's wedding this weekend? I'm kind of worried that it will look overly attention-grabby.* D thinks I think too much.

{gold sequins!}

Back up option is a super wide gold sequined belt. Either way I'll be wearing a black silk dress.

* I, personally, would have been thrilled if someone had shown up decked out in sequins (well dressed wedding guests make for the best photos).

Simple vanilla pudding

I've made this every night for the last two weeks. I'm in a bad dessert habit, leftover from the wedding, I think. We don't keep anything sweet in the house so if you want something, it has to be made.

{simple vanilla pudding}

Luckily (unfortunately?), pudding is so, so easy. I don't know why people buy mix. The original recipe is from Smitten Kitchen, but I make a half batch and I've modified it a little bit to suit my needs (less sugar, less cornstarch, no egg white). This gives you a soft, not overly rich pudding that is just a bit sweet. It makes me feel a little better about eating the entire batch in one sitting.

Simple vanilla pudding (makes 2 normal servings or 1 large serving)

1 1/3 cup milk, divided (I use 1% and it's fine)

1 egg yolk

1-3 tablespoons sugar (1 if you don't like it very sweet at all, 3 if you're adding semi-sweet chocolate at the end)

1 tablespoon corn starch

1/8 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla extract

:: Heat 1 cup of milk in a small saucepan.

:: Meanwhile, whisk together the extra 1/3 cup milk and the egg yolk.

:: In a heatproof 2 cup measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, sugar and salt and then add the milk/egg mixture in a slow stream, whisking so clumps don't form.

:: Slowly pour the hot milk into the mixture, whisking the entire time.

:: Pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan and cook for a few minutes, until thick and bubbling.

:: Stir in the vanilla and eat warm (my preference) or let it cool and set up a bit.

If you want chocolate pudding you can toss in some chocolate chips after it's done cooking and whisk it well.  I usually just toss in a small handful, but you can start small and then add to taste.

The entire procedure takes maybe 10 minutes, tops, and that includes washing out the measuring cups (naturally I can't wash the pan until later - you guys know that washing hot pans warps them, right?).

{pudding}

I really need to start weaning myself off the whole dessert thing.

The weekend, briefly

{chicken!}

{hunter circe}

{circe, frustrated}

{napping snowy}

{odds and ends}

{unpacking}

{wine + work}

Weekend notes

:: My parents got two rescue chickens and Circe is going nuts. Despite numerous attempts to explain to her that the chickens are also pets, she remains unconvinced. They're currently in a temporary coop, plans are in place for a fox terrier proof one.

:: Snowy's teeth are a source of endless amusement to me. He has an underbite and pointy little vampire canines.

:: I don't feel like I actually got all that much done this weekend, but I went to bed at 7 pm yesterday.

Magic

Went to see Gillian Welch and David Rawlings last night and it was amazing. Goosebumps amazing. This was the second time we've been lucky enough to see them live and they blow every other live show out of the water. I don't even mind it when they do encores*.

And apparently I'm getting too old for mid week concerts, because I am exhausted today.

* I know that you're supposed to love encores, but they drive me nuts. I've been to a couple concerts where the encores were actually spontaneous, just because the energy was so right, and they were amazing. But I hate that the encore has become an accepted final act of every single show. It isn't exciting if you know you're going to get one just for showing up. No fun. Yes, I'm a total spoilsport. Sorry.

Grocery store fail

Confronted with an astonishing array of choices in the canned fish area, I started to blank out and finally decided to opt for the best looking tin.

{sardines}

So cute, right? Makes canned fish seem less intimidating.

Too bad I got all the way home and halfway into my first Caesar salad making attempt before I remembered that sardines are not the same as anchovies and anchovies are what you need. Sigh. I still made the salad, but it was noticeably lacking.

I never used to care for Caesar salads but a spate of good ones lately has swayed me. My fave so far is the tableside Caesar at Nick & Stef's but it's all the way downtown. It seems like it should be so easy to recreate but none of the recipes I've found seem quite right.

Also, I am still scared of anchovies. So there's that.

The weekend, briefly

{baked}

{flower shopping spree}

{Malibu hills}

{granola making, resumed!}

{blogs + babies}

{yogurt stop}

{notes}

:: A project-y Saturday with a dear friend, hence the cakes + flowers.

:: A very quick stop at the vineyard to pick up our quarterly shipment (and the sad realization that we need to stop being members and only go up when we actually have time to enjoy it).

:: A bloggy get together on Sunday that involved multiple adorable babies. And lots of good food, as you might expect. None of it was contributed by me, because I decided to sleep in rather than cook.

:: If there is any way to detour through West Hollywood, we will brave the traffic and do it, solely for the joy that is Yogurt Stop. You guys don't understand how good it is - so good that I have actually stopped eating all other frozen yogurt, because it pales in comparison. So good that I will refrain from complaining about how long it takes to find parking, and I never miss a chance to whine about parking! Miraculous.