BakerBites

Fall is teasing us a little -- Saturday morning it started out in the 50's climbing to 80 before the day was over. Started cloudy and overcast, but then turned into one of those low humidity, crystal blue days! Perfect convertible weather. Unfortunately, I did not sleep all that well Friday night, so I was up at 4 am Saturday morning. By 8 pM I was dead. Went with Bev and Amy to see Flightplan Saturday afternoon -- it was OK, entertaining -- just don't think about the plot line too much or it starts to fall apart.

This morning is quiet and perfect. I have a hummingbird cake in the oven -- according to rumor this cake is Southern Living's most requested recipe. I found a version that can be cooked in a bundt pan (don't feel like dealing with 3 layers). The grandkids are coming for lunch today, so gotta have something sweet. I'll have to divide it up with them and the neighbors so it doesn't hang around and get too attached to me. If it's worth it, I'll add to the recipes.

Started reading Ruth Reichl (sp) "Sapphires and Garlic". She's not quite as witty and sarcastic as Linda Ellerbee, but  close. She's the former food critic of the LA Times followed by a stint at the NY Times and I believe now the editor of Gourmet. It's funny how she learns to disguise herself so she won't be recognized and then brutally describes her treatment as one of the common folk vs. "the" food critic. And worse, it would seem that many times not only is she disguised, but her companion is female. Speaking from experience, two women dining in any restaurant is the kiss of death. Unless you are a regular patron (aka big tipper) you'll be at the crappy table and have to beg for service. Anybody who takes away a star from Le Cirque is one brave cookie. There are also some (not many) recipes in the book. I've taken the new Gourmet Cookbook to bed with me and read it cover to cover (more than once). Anybody else read cookbooks like novels?? Sick, isn't it?

If you want to laugh until you hurt, check out www.weirdbabe.com (thank you, Lucy -- I love this site). Under categories, check out "Atlanta", and scroll down until Mary talks about "I know I'm supposed to be smarter than this" -- her experience trying to find her car in the parking garage. It's so funny, and so true for those of us who are parking garage challenged. (Sorry, not sure how to link you there -- help, CJ??)