Fleeting Moments

Feasting On Asphalt: My Whiny Review

So.

I got my long-awaited, pre-ordered copy of Feasting on Asphalt: The River Run last week, and I have to say it was worth the wait. Kind of.

I mean, I love the writing, the spirit of the book, the focus on small-town locally owned eateries. I adore the "inspired by" recipes and the original recipes and can't wait to try some (fudge is first on the list, even after the Easter chocolate fiasco extravaganza).

But what I was most looking forward to (sorry, AB) was Jean-Claude Dhien's photography...and all those brilliant colors of ink just got soaked up into the uncoated non-white stock. Who spec'ed the paper here? And might that have been the same person who created the cardboard cover? Clever idea, but all I can think of is how that cardboard is going to separate over the years. If my kids don't spill grape juice on it first.

Can I have a do-over? The same book with a nice coated ultra-white stock, so those gorgeous, perfect photos have a chance to shine?

In the meantime, I think Amazon is still offering the book at $18.15. Which is a steal, uncoated paper and all.

A Feast for the Eyes

As a big fan of Alton Brown and Jean-Claude Dhien, I was ecstatic to see that the two have collaborated on a book due to be released in April.

Feasting on Asphalt: The River Run chronicles Brown's second Feasting on Asphalt series, which aired on Food Network in 2007. I watched religiously. How could I not? The show combined three of my favorite things -- photography, food and travel -- and did it with wit and intelligence rarely seen on primetime TV.

I am *so* looking forward to the book!

Shopping Today?

Neither am I. My elbows aren't sharp enough for those crowds, thankyouverymuch.

For me, "Black Friday" has always been spent in the kitchen. When I had a huge kitchen, Black Friday marked the beginning of a Cookie Baking Marathon, usually with my mom and sister. Now that my kitchen is more modest, it's a day for making the most of Thanksgiving Day leftovers.

If you're looking for some inspiration to  do a little cooking today, why not try making your own turkey stock. Michael Ruhlman has a great how-to on his blog -- it involves putting the stock pot in the oven for a length of time, a method I plan to try.

If you love to cook, but you're still planning to venture out into Mall Madness today, stop by the bookstore and pick up Ruhlman's Elements of Cooking. We got our copy a few days ago (actually, it was a gift for John but he's been tolerant about me being a book hog...for now) and it's a must-have whether you're a novice in the kitchen or you have a good amount of experience. To get a signed copy without fighting the crowds at B&N, go straight to the source.

And have a happy -- and productive -- Black Friday. Whether you spend the day in the kitchen, at the mall or (cough, cough) online!

Happy Birthday, Ted Geisel!

Actually, that's Dr. Seuss to you. Like most early elementary school children, Carly participated in the NEA's Read Across America day in honor of Dr. Seuss. Lots of fun, although it made me wonder how all those pervasive Seuss materials get to every school in the United States. Oh, and happy 50th to the Cat in the Hat, too. The things you learn on Seussian web sites...