Cauliflower and Pinterest

In the past few days I have discovered a few new things. I stumbled upon a college friend's blog - she blogs a lot about food and family (aren't they the two best things?). I like how she highlights daily moments or quotations. Needless to say, I am inspired.

I also, finally, obtained an invitation to Pinterest. All I can say is that I have found my inner-crafter. In addition to a zillion DIY (Do it Yourself) crafts, the site collects so many wonderful ideas. For me, the most useful aspect of the site is the "boards" feature. You "repin" ideas. I just repinned lots of different ideas for my sister's wedding shower, and they are saved - and not on a sticky note I will lose on my desk. In four months I won't wrack my brain trying to remember what I saw and how to do it. I will try to keep you posted on any crafts or DIY projects I attempt.

I have also been having fun with my Christmas presents. I got several new cookbooks and a new food processor. For the past week, nearly every night has had a new meal or more efficiently processed sauce or side.

Tonight was one of those glorious nights where you start dinner, open a bottle of wine, and plod through laundry. A glorious night at home my husband. My night was made even better with the success of a new recipe. Stephen grilled steaks and I made Giada's Cauliflower and Pancetta Gratinata. It tasted delicious and goes well with something easy like steak because the it creates many dishes to wash.

Here is how it turned out:

You can get the recipe by either Googling it or following this link to Giada's cookbook. I did halve the amount of pancetta - it is rather salty, and we had plenty using just 4 ounces. The recipe also calls for 2 cups of breadcrumbs, but I believe 1 cup is more than enough. Finally, I nixed the capers. Does anyone really like capers?

Please let me know if you try it - bon appetit.

Clara and Mr. Tiffany (and Walt Whitman).

I just finished my first new book of the year: Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland. The novel is based on a recent (2007) discovery that Clara Driscoll invented/designed the first Tiffany lamps (not Louis Comfort Tiffany) for Tiffany studios. I won't go much more into the plot but direct you this New York Times article which broached the issue for the first time. For me, Vreeland's novel was the perfect blend of history, narrative, and entertainment.

The article gives you the nuts and bolts of the historical Clara Driscoll, but the novel is all Clara's perspective which makes it historical fiction. As the reader, you get to live Gilded Age excess through her eyes in a boarding house in lower Manhattan. With Clara, you fall in love with art, flowers, the first skyscrapers, and the subway.

I loved the history and the character development. What made this novel practically perfect was Vreeland's use of poetry, especially Whitman. One of my favorite Whitman lines from "Leaves of Grass" appeared near the end, "And to die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier." Whitman always leaves me thinking (and hoping).

And, one of my favorite Whitman poems, "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" also made an appearance! This poem holds a special place in my heart. It is the first poem I remember diving into in college. I remember reading it again and again, breaking it down and discussing it in class. It was the first time I felt that I had made it as a college student and as a scholar. I never tire of it and here it is, for your own edification. Please listen - it is how poetry is meant to be enjoyed.