In the kitchen

I've become even more obsessed with baking/cupcakes in the past few days. There are so many cute baking blogs--- Cakespy, Bakerella, CakeJournal, and Cupcakes Take the Cake. Lots of new ideas to try out, thinking I might actually start decorating beyond icing and sprinkles. Need to see if I still have at home my frosting tips and books from my long-ago cake decorating days. With a little practice I could probably turn out some stars, shells, a little outlining. It would also help with the sugar cookies. The Christmas ones were cute, but definitely sloppy. Don't think I'll take another Wilton class, but if I still have my old supplies then I can at least do some basic decorating. Going to be baking some cupcakes (heart funfetti mix, vanilla frosting, red nonpareils) this afternoon as well as making Pancho's Mom's pasta sauce that takes 5 hours to simmer!! Jesus. But we're having it with bow-tie pasta tonight to use some of it up (I'm halving the recipe and it still makes an insane amount) because it is really being made for the Pasticho, a Venezuelan variation of lasagna that we're making on Saturday. Going to be cooking with leeks for the first time, too. Last night, made a really simple Baked Salmon with Cranberry-Thyme Crust with roasted asparagus (also the first time cooking either of those things.) Came out delicious, though I did overcook the asparagus a little bit. AND, Pancho has nailed down how to make a lemon drop martini at home. :) Oh yeah, my mom is so crazy, she sent me a culinary torch this week so I can caramelize creme brulee. I made pumpkin creme brulee over the holidays but had to stick the ramekins under the broiler to caramelize the sugar on top and it didnt exactly work out (the actual cream part started heating up). But now just need to light up the blowtorch and away I go. Seriously, my mom feeds into my ridiculousness. Homemade creme brulee isn't difficult, but Crate & Barrel makes delicious little kits, too.

I don't know if anyone else has read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, but I'm reading it now and it is amazing. Talks of Biblical times from the female perspective, how women labored, their relationships with other women, their families, and the gods/goddesses. Its fiction but it is meant to fill in where the Bible leaves women out. Not my typical read, but from my women's history view, very interesting.

Also been watching more of The Biggest Loser lately. Its so inspiring, but also makes me really wish I had my own personal trainer to make me work out and try new routines. Today is finally warm enough for me to head outside.. ehhh. Don't want to but I should, at least walk for 30 minutes to get out of the house.