Food - The Amateur Gourmet Goes to El Bulli

The Amateur Gourmet got to go to El Bulli! He did a great post about the visit, complete with videos. If you have any interest in molecular gastronomy, Spain, or humorous food writing, go read it now!

Operation Nice

How have I missed Operation Nice? Greatest (and nicest) idea ever, I am totally in!

Freebie - Passive Aggressive Bookplates

Here's a quick freebie, for when a subtle reminder to return a book is due.

Amusing - Lady with a retriever

Lady with a retriever, originally uploaded by Antique Dog Photos.

Sometimes, I just love the internet. Party Perfect posted a dog party picture today which led to this great photostream at Flickr. I thoroughly enjoy people who collect random things, the more specifically random, the better!

Food - Roquefort Cheese BANNED?

image from washingtonpost.com

This article was featured on the front page of the Washington Post website today. I already have my issues with the American government regarding cheese. I mean is it REALLY the government's business if I want to eat raw cheese? Why is it OK for THE MAN to say 'no raw cheese, it might make you sick' but cigarettes, which we KNOW make people sick are readily available?? Does this make sense to anyone else? No, nor does essentially banning a delicious cheese from our country as political punishment from an outgoing administration. What did the sheep farmers in Roquefort, France ever do to Bush?

I love this passage from the article: 'Underlying the hopes for improvement is an impression widely shared by people in France that President Obama's administration, free of baggage from the dispute over Iraq, will prove more sympathetic to France -- and in this case to the traditional cheesemakers of Roquefort. But Glandières noted that Obama has a lot to deal with. "I don't think Roquefort will be the first thing on his mind," he said. '

I've got one more hope pinned on Obama now - FREE THE CHEESE!

Flickr Faves

image from knitalatte11

Life has been really busy recently, and I feel I am neglecting my blogging. Since I have nothing else prepared at the moment, but wanted to post something, I settled on a few of my faves from Flickr.

image from klick_it

image from odddutch

image from nicolas valentin

image from house_n_baby

Amusing - Inauguration Speech Generator

My office actually stopped today and we all watched the inauguration together. Well, the few of us in the office who actually battled the 'blizzard' of snow to come in. Anyway, I thought it was nice to be able to share that moment as an office, even though we all have very differing opinions. I got a kick out of this site, though I found it after the speech itself. Have a giggle, mad-libs style.

Amusing - 365 again

I nearly made it through my previous attempt at taking a photo a day for 365 days, so I decided to try again in 2009. So, if you want to see a day to day journal of my shockingly uneventful life, feel free to visit here. Above is our dog on day 5. I love how it turned out, just a little hazy. That one 'flaw' in the image tells more about her personality than I could describe in 100 words.

Last 365 attempt, I really could see what a better photographer I became by practicing every day. I worked a lot on food pictures, so there will probably be plenty of those this go round, too. I'd also like to work on styling my photos more this year. Anyone have any tips for inspiration or care to join me in the challenge?

Amusing - Holiday Decor at the Office

Hehe, I love this competition. It cracks me up. Hopefully, all of you are out of your offices and celebrating the holidays by now. If not, perhaps these photos will inspire you to do some re-decorating to get in the spirit!

Amusing - The Doghouse

Once again, my grand friend Terri Lee sent me a gem of a link - The Doghouse. There's even a spot to nominate someone for the doghouse. HILARIOUS. My husband has been good for many years so he won't be nominated, but in the past I have on separate occasions gotten new pans and a new microwave for gift-giving holidays. I especially love the loop of advice in the background - 'Stop checking out other women in restaurants.'