Bark Mitzvah

Marilyn — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:44:08 +0000

After the last kugel was served, the last tired-legs house tour given, after the last lipsticked kiss and the last out-of-towner boarded a plane, we were left with one half-bag of pretzels and a bowl of ganache. So I made a pretzel ganache sandwich. End of story.

What.

Oh, I’m sorry…the Bat Mitzvah. Were you waiting for news of the Bat Mitzvah?

Well, the full recap will have to wait, at least until I can form whole words again. Luckily, my waking zombie state still allows for posting pictures – so here’s a sampling of our totally crazy, wholly delicious, once-in-a-lifetime weekend; three days in which I’m certain the universe crammed more than 72 hours.

Friday night’s Welcome Dinner featured sunflowers & Jayhawks. Because it was Welcome. To Kansas.

Abe & Jake’s, a riverfront barbed wire factory in Lawrence, converted to a college dance bar. Before the horde arrived.

Notebook favors. In which the 13-year old guys wrote funny things to Josie, then crumpled pages and chucked them in the river. They are suave, the young ones.

A wacky place, like no other.

Vintage never-used restaurant bags, bought on Ebay. They just say woof, no?

Centerpieces constructed from items on the Lawrence Humane Society’s wish list, like paper towels and canned dog food. A little silver spray paint, a little wedding cake logic, and it all got donated in the end.

Girls really do just wanna have fun. Just ask that DJ.

Yes – you, too can cut 200 dog bone-shaped papers in one viewing of “Quantum of Solace.” But if you wish to stick them on a few hundred chocolates, you’ll also need double-sided tape, one daughter and one mother-in-law.

And here is the coolest girl in the world. Her day began with brilliant Torah reading and a thoughtful speech, but finished in a dance whirl; such debonair young fellows, all beads and cheap sunglasses – who could ask for anything more?

Finally, an extra treat: my friend Melanie’s six-year old son Eli and my cousin Robin’s son Jordi rocked out on stage. For two straight hours. If you want to electrify your next bash, these are the dudes to call.

Dance Party! from imamelanie on Vimeo.

My Mom and Josie. There were also smoked chicken egg rolls, banana pudding and dipped pretzels, teen romance and one great big bar bill. A marvelous time. We are thankful for our girl, and for the privilege of such a happy day.

Seven Things You’d Rather Not See on a Food Blog

Marilyn — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:20:47 +0000

It’s not all glistening pools of jam and swirly frosting, you know. There are outtakes – trash heaps, a big ugly pile of things you don’t need to see on a food blog, starting with:

A naked, salted chicken. This might excite the foodie and the few, but I don’t want to know about it.
Rotting bananas.

My beat-up red Danskos, sitting in the bleachers at Josie’s volleyball game. Who needs that?

A naked turkey sprouting parsley. I defy you to photograph this tastefully.

For that biscuit, it’s the jaws of death.

How to wrap a bagel dog. Honestly, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

And the most important thing to not-see when reading a food blog?

Dishes. I mean, please. It’s not art – it’s just a mess.

Hold on – I think I found something sugared and tasty.

Ah – Apricot-Chocolate Chip Scones, dutifully sparkly and warm. I’m feeling better already!

Simmer Till Done » photos

Bark Mitzvah

Seven Things You’d Rather Not See on a Food Blog