Good Things in 2008

*The new Glen Ellyn Restaurant, Honey, hitting their stride!  Way to go Anna, the carrot cake cupcake is the talk of the town...literally.  If you haven't gone yet, it's time.  I can recommend the burger tasting trio and their fries.  And of course, the cupcakes.  More to come on this little spot.

*Talk Soup, on at 9 pm Central, Friday nights on E!.  A cynical recap of all that is stupid and interesting in the media, Joel McHale is the goofy host.

*The Margherita Pizza at Cellar Bistro, downtown Wheaton.  All ingredients are organic, and as local is they can find.  I dream about the homemade crust.

*The dark chocolate latte, in a mug, at Honey.  Not sure what they're doing to the foam, but the taste of the drink is the best hot coffee drink I've had, this side of the Atlantic.  It wasn't as good in a to-go cup.  Maybe I'm delusional.

*Lost is back!  January 31st.  I hope I'll still care after all this time.

*A new clothing budget.  Praise the Lord.

*Selling old clothes on eBay.  I somehow sold a Patagonia red fleece I'd bought on clearance last year, some nice girl in Boulder, CO paid $60 for it!  Now it's time to list my old cashmere sweaters from Ann Taylor that no longer fit...thanks to Sam and his voracious eating habits.  

*8 weeks until Spring Break in Naples, Florida.

*The French Market opens April 29th!  I am hungry for fresh produce, maybe it's time to make a peach blueberry cobbler with the fruit I froze last August.  

*Buying super cheap hardback and paperback books from Half.com.   Seriously.  You can find used and brand new books for $2 or less, you just pay $4 or so in shipping.  There's no better deal anywhere.  Anna turned me onto the site and I must admit I'm addicted, it's so cheap!

*THIS recipe from my friend Cheryl, who has great taste in so many things.  I cannot even describe the deliciousness that these sandwiches evoked in my mouth:

Hot Roast Beef Party Sandwiches

2 packages Hawaiian Rolls (In their own little section at Jewel, in orange bags)

2/3 cup peach preserves

1/2 cup dijon mustard-mayonnaise blend (either Grey Poupon or Hellman's)

3/4 lb. thinly sliced Boar's Head roast beef

1/2 lb. thinly sliced Havarti Cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

Remove rolls from packages, do not separate.  Cut rolls in half horizontally, creating one top and one bottom per dozen.  Spread preserves on top half of rolls, spread mustard/mayo blend on bottom.  Top with the beef and cheese, sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired.  Put roll halves together and wrap well in tin foil.  At this point, the rolls can be frozen up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.

Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted.  Cut rolls apart and serve as a heavy appetizer or "light" (heh) dinner.

That's it for now, I'm off to shower and get Sam ready for his first "Storytime" session at the library.  :)