Clearly, BA's photo of this soup is better in all objective ways than my own, but I've made the egg drop soup recipe in the current issue twice this weekend and enjoyed it both times and something needs to be said for that. So, I recommend taking something resembling the Bon Appetit recipe to the local grocer. Low stakes. High return.

My sister is allergic to grapes, so oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookies were out. But, I dig dried fruit, so I substituted apricots for raisins, added chocolate chips to the mix, and there you go, Joy of Cooking cookies, 2.0.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Mix:

1 3/4 c flour;
3/4 tsp baking soda;
3/4 tsp baking powder;
1/2 tsp salt;
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Beat in a large bowl:

1 c softened butter;
1/4 c granulated sugar;
1 1/2 c packed brown sugar;
2 eggs;
2 1/2 tsp vanilla

Stir in flour mixture, then add:

1 c dried fruit (raisins, apricots, cranberries);
3 1/2 c rolled oats;
3/4 c chocolate chips

Shape dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on lined baking sheets. Flatten balls to 1/2 inch thick. Bake 12-14 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let stand for two minutes, then cook on rack.

To be shared with friends and neighbours.

{happy valentine's}

I've been busy lately with work and with running and visiting with my family and with not much else.

{...the scene on Sunday morning at the Sunnyside swimming pool, two days after a major winter storm...}

My first trip to New York City in twenty years was a three day walking tour (from W 101st to Broome Street and back on the first day alone) and search for the perfect New York Style pizza.

My top three were the Highline, an off-Broadway show, and running in Central Park:

I am a big fan of public spaces, parks in particular, so the Highline was a major major highlight for me.

{To be sure, so was Central Park. But I didn't bring my camera on my run and I was too busy eating a Magnolia cupcake when we went back for our last hour in the city.}

Theresa and I also visited MoMA, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge on our way to Williamsburg (buck a shuck oysters from Long Island!), and checked out the shops in the East Village.

NYC, I heart you!

Sometimes you just need a night in with your girls, y'know?

Up North

I was lucky to be invited to spend this past weekend on Georgian Bay, and, it was glorious.

My top three favourite weekend moments were: roasting s'mores over a bonfire on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night; finally having sufficient courage to climb to the top of an abandoned lighthouse I'd been too chicken to visit on an earlier trip; and, cliff jumping into the lake.

I Made a Skirt

I sewed a skirt this past weekend:

The shape is based on Badgley Mischka pattern from Vogue, V1127, but I added an extra inch at the waist, and a waistband.

And I wore it to the Smut Soiree:

{Because I love Hollywood gossip.}

Favourite Things

Early mornings are one of my favourite things in life, and though I could enjoy them often, I don't. I did this morning, though.

Here is the view from 6am:

Tulips

tulips = spring.

Black Dog

It's sort of mine, but I've also promised a friend I will give him this painting one day:

In any case, I love it.

Mola

I bought this wall hanging at an outdoor market in South America a few years ago. It's a Mola, and was handmade using reverse appliqué; several layers of different-coloured cloth are sewn together and the design is formed by cutting away parts of each layer.

These funny birds have been sitting in a cedar chest since that trip in 2007, with a collection of other travel souvenirs, waiting until I moved somewhere I planned to stay for awhile.

The Khyber Side

By Michelle SaintOnge