Monday, January 10, 2011

One Must Have A Hobby

My words are failing me this morning, as I sit here on the couch with a mug of Yogi detox tea and a vacant stare.  Yesterday evening, my husband and I threw a dinner party that required two days of cooking, and today I am just wiped.

My husband and I met when we were each about 22 and independently becoming interested in cooking.  He courted me by bringing mugs and treats to my apartment when I got home from work, and bought two new cookbooks to make me a three-course dinner on Christmas Eve.  I still remember every detail of that meal.  When we started living together, I cooked him dinner nearly every night.  We moved to NorCal when we were 24 to attend grad schools, and it didn't take long for us to get caught up in the California foodie scene.

We enjoy having friends over for dinner, and every so often, we'll plan a really intricate dinner party.  Last night's menu came mostly from Michel Richard's Happy in the Kitchen, a great book.  I'll post a couple of pictures below of the prettiest courses.

Food and cooking are a big part of who I am, and I think that comes through in my writing, because when I feel it adds something to a scene, I'll provide description of what my characters are eating, whether luscious or foul.  Do you have any hobbies that show up in your writing?

Fluffy Spinach Bites with Fonduta Sauce

Seafood Trio: Oyster Shooter, Scrambled Scallops with Caviar,
Tuna Tartare

Potato Bites in Potato Baskets
Tomato Trifle with Gelees of Tomato, Cucumber and
Yellow Bell Pepper Water

6 comments:

  1. This post made me so hungry! YUM!

    This makes me want to learn how to cook!

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  2. This explains why you have so many eating scenes. ;)

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  3. That food looks amazing! My husband and I are foodies, too. I'll take a gourmet meal made by restaurant/hubby over free tickets to a play any time. One of my favorite things is looking at a menu ahead of time and dreaming about my order (sometimes I do it weeks in advance).

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  4. What an impressive spread! I don't know if any of my hobbies show up in my writing. I don't think they do...hmmmm

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  5. This is a great way to learn about you, since we don't have time to talk in our writing group. I am inspried to start my own blog.
    I made a simple, yummy dinner last night of roast chicken and kale chips (a new favorite).
    I don't cook elaborate meals very often anymore since my 5 yr old won't eat things combined together.
    I give my characters hobbies that I wished I had...like singing. And some that I had in the past...like writing in a journal.
    Great food photos! The green spinach squares look delicious.

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  6. Thanks Deborah! Kale chips are delicious, I like to make them too.

    Let me know if you decide to start a blog so I can follow it :)

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