This week was fairly uneventful. It did happen to involve a lot more baking and cooking than usual, but that’s always fine by me. I was trying so hard to get ahead up the Thanksgiving recipes I will be sharing next week, but I kept getting distracted by things like Funfetti truffles and mini cheesecakes. It was all fun and games until I ran out of brown sugar. How does that even happen?
There were also some birthday festivities added to the mix. It was the United States Marines Corps 236th birthday this past Thursday and I got to talk to two of my favorite Marines, which was very fun since I don’t get to talk to them nearly enough.
And today, I had some early celebrations for my b-day with the Mama and Papa CC. I got some amazing presents from my amazing parents. There was a lot of flannel involved, as in plaid shirts and pajamas (which I don’t plan on changing out of all winter, consider yourselves warned) and couple flashier things, like gold glittery heels and a speedlight flash for my camera my mom’s camera that I am permanently borrowing and purse that Papa CC picked out all by himself, which turned out to be the purse of my dreams. My father seems to have exceptional taste. I also got to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, cooking up a storm, listening to Amy Winehouse, Hungarian klezmer bands and gangsta rap from the early 90s. I have very eclectic musical tastes. In the words of Ice Cube, ‘today was a good day’.
Things I Made This Week:
- Mushroom Bourguignon
- Chicken Picatta
- Apple and Pear Crumble with Cheese
- Cake Batter Martinis
- Sweet Potato Fries with Cranberry Ketchup
- Mango Chutney Prosciutto & Paneer Pizza
- Gruyere & Hazelnut Crackers – The Kitchn
- Cranberry Upside Down Cake – Brown Eyed Baker
- Mac and Cheese with Roasted Chicken and Goat Cheese – My Baking Addiction
Clare Cooks! 
Dinner was so good! How was it that you cooked on your birthday, that is usually my job or we are at some fancy restaurant!