Stop the World, I Want to Get Off? Dorie, Carolyne and The Mouse King

  looking a little fierce and sans one foot, presumably lost in the battle

Three unnerving things happened to me yesterday:

First I saw that Dorie Greenspan closed her amazing cookie establishment, Beurre and Sel.  Ugh!  This couldn’t have been worse news for me as I work to muster up all my confidence to go into my own baking business.   This was a “Stop the World, I Want to Get OFF”- type occurrence, since I consider Dorie to be a great example of all I’d like to do/be – she lives part of the year in France, she’s worked for and written with Pierre Hermé, wrote Baking with Julia and several books of her own. She’s a constant source of knowledge and great recipes and enthusiasm – one of those people who I look to as a model of those successfully indulging their passions and living their lives in a harmonious, borderless world of fun, work, fun. When she opened Beurre and Sel, I was heartened and, she obtained rave reviews. She even opened a second location in Harlem.  She also has a great charity, Cookies for Kids with Cancer.  Anyway, her closing her bakery sends off lots of alarm bells to me, for I have been watching closely the opening and closing of multitudes of baking establishments over the past several years.  I’ve also followed the career paths of many of my Pastry School classmates who have ventured in and then exited.  This is very tricky territory and I’m just watching for the right time to step into the fray – or, should I or shouldn’t I?!?!

Second, the Mouse King at the Nutcracker performance I attended appeared with multiple heads, a cruel depiction of rampant gene mutation I can only imagine came from eating too much non-organic cheese!  Can’t the choreographers just leave the story alone? Also, isn’t Clara the central character in the Nutcracker?  When did she become Marie?

I don’t know why, but I have always had a thing for the Mouse King in the Nutcracker.  I have collected ornaments over the years and images.  Plus, I have always loved the scene when the mice appear on the stage and, truth be told, the scamper-dance scene is always one of my very favorites!

I was happier in the second act and especially watching the Waltz of the Flowers which was, yes, enchanting.  The scenery was extraordinary and I was sorry to go at the end.

Third, last night as I settled in to eat my dinner, I read with chagrin a post by Carolyne Roehm who startlingly described how she was not into Christmas this year.  The doyenne of beautiful creation in her surroundings and elsewhere, bar just about none, and one of my very favorite talents, was off-kilter?  Carolyne has spent a lifetime designing the most amazing flower gardens, arrangements, homes and decorated spaces as well as choreographing large and small scale parties – all which dazzle and enthrall. While the scale of her endeavors is often grand, she has the great eye for keeping the grand intimate and warm.  She has become what is fondly known as a tastemaker, a word I am not sure about, but if taken as a compliment,  that is an imperial understatement.  I admire Carolyne for her obvious talents but also because she has had a lifetime passion for learning as well.  Turning her talents to painting now as she works on yet another residence masterpiece, she is one of those people you would never expect to tire.  Yet, she seems to have, if only for a moment.  Even the best of the best need a break sometimes, right?

Yikes, must have been a funny-karma-kinda day!  I went to bed agitated – and had some of those dreams – like in the nutcracker where little mice were running around my head ……….

Well, off onto more practical issues and perhaps today is a day to get onto firmer, more certain territory – with recipes, recipes and more recipes.

Here are some really cute examples to inspire me in my cookie baking to come:

  

source: http://wickedgoodkitchen.com/vanilla-holiday-sugar-cookies-for-christmas-cutouts/

Anyway, today’s goodie festival began with Mary Ann Esposito’s recipe for Shrimp to be included in your Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes.  I am definitely making this.

http://www.gloucestertimes.com/lifestyle/x601932390/Shrimp-for-Feast-of-Seven-Fishes

 

Next came François Payard’s  Souffle of Puff Pastry with Orange Scented Pastry Cream, Candied Pecans and Caramel Butter Sauce:

  this is serious stuff!

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/chefsexperts/celebrity-chefs/payard-recipes-interview/recipes/food/views/Souffle-of-Puff-Pastry-with-Orange-Scented-Pastry-Cream-Candied-Pecans-and-Caramel-Butter-Sauce-51202620

and lastly, for perusal, studying and indulging: http://www.epicurious.com/recipesmenus/slideshows/christmas-cakes-50561

  this is luscious-chocolately delight if I ever saw it!

Question of the Day:  What’s the test of a great recipe and photo?  Answer:  one which makes you want to run into the kitchen and make it right away.  And/Or, one which makes you feel like you want a taste, and now! – all three winners for me!

So, I am off like the frost on a nickel beer – to get some errands done.  And, baby it’s COLD outside!   All you frosty-lovers can rejoice!!!!