As far as the dates went, I really preferred the Roquefort to the Stilton.  Much of the Roquefort leaked out of the dates in the baking process, but the tang of the remaining cheese still made its presence known.

1.  Make blue cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped dates.  I made these two days ago with Stilton, and the crumble of the cheese made it difficult to adequately stuff the dates.  In the end, the cheese get lost among the other flavors.  This time, I’m trying Roquefort to see if the slight additional creaminess allows for easier stuffing and a more delicious end product.  I’ve already assembled these, so I just have to cook them.  So far, I think the Roquefort is a better choice stuffing-wise, but I’ll have to wait to see if the flavor is also an improvement.

2.  Write an article for my university publication on the Marcona almond.  Whole Foods has been pushing these lately, and I’m hooked.

3.  Make three batches of spiced (non-Marcona) almonds.  I found the recipe online about a year ago, and they are AWESOME.  The spice mix is savory and complex, and makes for a delicious snack.  I made these for my family for Christmas, and they’re all dying for more.

I think it will be a good day.

So naturally, I suspect complete strangers of Conspiracy to Sabotage.  I’d go down to the police department to file a report, but something tells me I’d be met with undue sass.

15 days to go.

P.S.  Let’s talk about how delightfully tacky We’s Bridezillas is.  I’m watching reruns right now and this show never ceases to amaze me.  Between the shock that these psychotic women have found men willing to marry them and my amusement at the ridiculous things they say, it’s always sure to be a thrilling hour of my life.  Favorite quote of the day: “He loves me because of my glowing smile and my sexy body.”  Ah, modesty at its finest.

17 too many days to go.

18 days to go.

Crap, now I’m drooling.

19 days to go.

For medical reasons, it’s best if I seriously limit my sugar intake.  This would be completely reasonable if I didn’t have The Biggest Sweet Tooth the World Has Ever Seen.  But alas, I do.  Therefore, I’ve decided that the best way for me to limit my sugar is to quit, cold turkey, for a few weeks.  I am anticipating much sugar-free angst, and I’m confident that this will make for great posting material.  Over the next three weeks, I plan to post about my sugar fast, if only to give myself proof that I am capable of going a whole twenty-one days without chocolate or candy or any of my other favorites.

Sugar Fast Day 1:

So far, all’s good.  No sugar cravings yet, and I’m feeling relatively happy.  I don’t expect for this to last very long.

20 days to go.

2.  What do you think it would take for Carrie Prejean to shut up and go away?  Every time I turn around, this woman is saying or doing another classless thing.  HEY, CARRIE.  YOU STOPPED BEING BEAUTIFUL THE MINUTE YOU ANSWERED THE GAY MARRIAGE QUESTION.  It’s way past time for you to slink off into oblivion.

But alas, I’m living in Houston.  Houston, where leaves don’t so much change as die.  Houston, where the high temperatures in the week’s forecast are at or above 72 degrees, despite the imminence of Thanksgiving.  Houston, where my cold weather wardrobe sits untouched.  Houston, where the only clue as to the time of year is the availability of Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks.

I was recently discussing with a friend our shared exhaustion with our wardrobes, when it occurred to us why we’re sick of wearing our short-sleeved shirts daily.  It’s because we’ve been wearing them non-stop since March.  We then proceeded to deliver a deluge of hatred on Houston’s climate.  And then we felt better.  Ah, catharsis.

And now to my point.  I was surfing my MSN homepage this afternoon when I came across this link.  Now is the time of year that I’m generally looking forward to the winter trends with excitement.  And then I saw this.  Trapper hats?  Anoraks?  I’m sorry, Fashion Industry, when did the next ice age begin?  I must have missed a memo.  Last time I checked, I hunt for food in the produce section of the local Kroger.  This is hardly the Arctic tundra we’re talking about.  Sure, these may be reasonable (albeit heinous) options for people living north of the Canadian border, but it’s hardly applicable to the rest of the world’s population.

Yes, I fear I’ll be forced to hate this winter’s trends.  This is almost as bad as the Lumberjack Collection (my nomenclature) at the Gap two winters ago.  Don’t even get me started on that atrocity.

New Orleans was amazing.  I really enjoyed the city and its people, and was glad I was able to appreciate the city merely as a visitor rather than a resident.  I love that distinction, and I think it’s one we don’t make often enough in our lives.  We see or experience something we enjoy, and we covet it to the point of needing to own it, to purchase it, to wear it, to live in it.  It’s so infrequent that we can just appreciate something for what it is and walk away better off having experienced it.  Because in the end, it’s the walking away that makes it remain special.  Well, that’s enough of that.  Please excuse me while I dismount my soapbox.

Culinary adventures of the trip included beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde, gumbo and oysters at Red Fish Grill, fried alligator, and muffuletta (Not from Central Grocery, unfortunately.  That’ll have to wait until next time.).  First, the spread at Cafe du Monde:

The beignets were AWESOME, but really, how can you go wrong with fried dough?  I loved the chicory coffee.  It was strong and pungent, but the chicory completely cut the aftertaste.  I’ll definitely be going back for Round 2.  Okay, you caught me.  Round 3.  What’s that you say?  You want a closeup of the beignets?  I’d be happy to oblige.

And that, folks, is what happens when you have a good camera.  Thank you, Imelda.

Walking around Magazine Street, some friends and I stumbled upon Lili, a vintage boutique.  We entered the store and I ended up having one of the most rewarding shopping experiences of my life.  They had some basic items: dresses, costume jewelry, handbags, silk slips.  While everything in the store was beautifully preserved and quite a find in its own right, there were quite a few standout items.  For example, this 1952 Christian Dior tulle gown, worn once:

Other favorites included a pair of Charles Jourdan pumps, a knit Chanel scarf, and pieces from Lanvin and Chloe.  I ended up purchasing a navy blue and white polka dot A-line dress and a gold rose cocktail ring with embedded crystals.  I know for certain that I will end up visiting this boutique every time I return to New Orleans, having seen the quality and variety of their garments.