You know what? You’re great. I show up here with nothing but a subpar ginger cake and some indulgent psychobabble, and instead of complaining, you say all kinds of nice and encouraging things. I think you’ll be happy to hear that things are looking up in the kitchen. So far up, in fact, that my neck is beginning to cramp.
As I mentioned in the comments yesterday, I recently pulled something sweet from the oven that is eminently worthy of your attention. Unlike the more elusive (and ultimately disappointing) cakes that have been lurking around these parts of late, this beauty is undeniably delicious, and it told me so straight away. What’s more, I have a feeling that I know how to make it even better. I’m going to give it another go tonight, and I’ll report back before the week is out. I already have a few dazzling photographs of the first run that I could show you, but I feel that posting them without a recipe would be cruel. I may boss friends and family members around the kitchen from time to time, and be prone to cake-induced fits of frustration and self-doubt, but cruel, I am not. So I’m going to ask you to sit tight, but not for long. You deserve a treat, friends, and I mean to deliver.
In the meantime, I thought that you might like to see some photos from the dinner out that I mentioned in my last post. It was a celebration in honor of my friend, Mary. Mary is a writer, an artist, and a triathlete. She’s the kind of friend who sends frame-worthy homemade Valentines in the mail, and drives up to Vermont to visit you in the hospital when, out of nowhere, your brain explodes. Mary is also a first-rate foot masseuse and – though she’s been known to deny it – a copy machine whisperer. (You know you are, Mary.) There are about a million and one reasons to celebrate Mary, but on this particular night, we gathered to celebrate her birthday. We went to a restaurant in the South End called The Butcher Shop. It was a special night and, as if inspired by the knock-out birthday girl herself, it was beautiful.
Here are some of my favorite shots from the roll. As usual, you can click on the images to see them larger. Apologies to those of you who may have already seen these photos elsewhere. You can have an extra slice of dessert tomorrow to make up for it, okay?
Have a great day, everyone.
