I’ve been meaning to write for days to wish everyone a Happy New Year, but I’ve been too busy slacking. That’s right. I’ve been taking it easy. Ever since I got back from my graduation I have been basking in the luxury of not having anything pressing to do other than shop, wrap Christmas presents and bake cookies. I did perform a few housekeeping tasks like vacuuming under the couch and throwing out some  boxes of stale cereal, but basically I’ve been reading books in front of the fireplace and listening to the rain.

I’ve also been cooking up a storm. One of my Christmas presents to myself was a cookbook I picked up  in the checkout line at Safeway. It is from Food and Wine and called Our Best New Classics. Edited by Dana Cowin. Not available on Amazon unfortunately, but sold in the magazine section of grocery stores. Amazing recipes. I made the Spicy & Sticky Baby Back Ribs and Paul declared the sauce “epic.” Other faves so far have been the Skillet Chicken & Mushroom Pot Pie and the Chicken Tikka with Cilantro and Yogurt Sauce. I find cooking relaxing and I am glad to have the time again to devote to it.