Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

I don't know what it is, maybe it's the fact that were getting into the yucky, melty gross part of winter, maybe it's the fact that Ryan and I just can't seem to shake the plague, or maybe it's the fact that I have to start back on my diet in order to not be harpooned when we go to Mexico in June, but lately I just haven't been in a very good mood. I know, it's hard to tell, I hide it so well. I was sitting here trying to think up what to blog about, and all I could think of were things to complain about. Bad television shows. Annoying people in the grocery store. Those damn kids listening to their "rock and roll" music. Then I realized that if I wrote about any of those things I might be mistaken for Andy Rooney, and I hate that old man smell. So, I have decided to go in a completely different direction: a few of my favorite things, new for 2008. Shocked? I thought so.

1. Cooking. I have written before about my adventures in the kitchen. Lately though, I've been on a roll like never before. It might have something to do with the fact we're broke, or that we're trying to eat everything in our freezer so we can defrost it and fix the ice maker, but lately I have been cooking up a storm. And it hasn't even been my normal cooking at home routine -- I've been following recipes. Last week I made chicken curry, chana masala, and pesto pasta, and tonight I made sesame chicken. Right now, as I type, there is rice pudding baking in the oven. For Valentine's Day I made a chocolate cream pie that would make you cry. I've even been cooking vegetables. Amazing.

2. Project Runway How did I not know about this show before? It's not so much about fashion as it is about bitchy homos. My kind of people. Every show there is at least one moment that leaves me staring at the television with my mouth agape. And the fact that Bravo runs marathons of it ad nauseam has really been my only saving grace while I have been glued to that couch waiting to cough up a lung.

3. Stewart O'Nan There is nothing better than finding a new author that I like, unless it's finding a new author that I like and then discovering he's already written a ton of books I can explore. Stewart O'Nan is one such writer. He has ten books, but he's never popped up on my radar screen before. His stories aren't complicated, or fanciful, and are actually a bit depressing, but the characters are so real and engrossing that I can't help caring about them. Right now I'm reading Wish You Were Here, and I can't wait to read the others.

4. Luke Yes, I know that Luke is hardly a new favorite thing and that at times I write so much about him that this blog should be called "Luke Logic," but lately he has been so delightful it's like I'm discovering him all over again. The other day we were driving in the car and he was telling me how his Mom was taking him to Toys R Us to spend a gift card he had received. I asked him what he was going to get, and he replied "I haven't figured that out yet, but thanks for asking." How can you not love a kid like that?

5. Tequila I gave up wine for Lent, and I really thought that was going to be the beginning of the end. But instead I have discovered a whole new world of taste treats, starting with my agave based friend. Yes, it may seem like cheating to substitute one alcohol for another, but you make your deals with Jesus and I'll make mine. My favorite thing right now is Tequila with grapefruit juice and soda. I call it a Chihuahua.

Now I feel all warm and happy inside. Of course, that could be the Chihuahua talking. However, I am going to pin it on thinking about my favorite things and all that is right with the world. Don't worry, it won't last long... I'll be back to normal soon.