Muffins extraordinaire, a cute story, quietude

The day opened with the Sunday Times and a freshly made latte, a la barista Tom, spread before me. Bliss.

I read until my yen for apple cider muffins grew too great; only then did I remove myself from the couch and go make some. Happy am I that I did. These muffins are the absolute yummiest. I love them. Everything about them. I love their crumb, and I love the subtle fragrance and taste of nutmeg in every bite. I love the tender apple chunks studded throughout; they manage to taste gently poached and perfectly steamed. And I love that I finally took a fine photograph of them as you may know just how long I have struggled to do so (if you need a good challenge, try to take a pretty pic of muffins; go ahead, see if you want to eat what you see in your pics!).

Afterwards, T asked if I wanted to go to the gym together. Alas, no, my love. I do not. "I am going to park myself on the couch in front of the fireplace, light a fire and get my reading on." And that is what I have done. I'm still there even though he came home and is now back out. Maybe it relaxes him to run errands on a Sunday but I do enough of that every other day, with the kids, thank you. What I never do is read on the couch in a quiet home.

So anyway, we're both happy, and that's nice. Oliver went to a good buddy's birthday party this morning (thank you carpool who picked him up and dropped him back off at my in-laws' house), and three different mothers texted/emailed me this story: after eating two slices of pizza and wiping his greasy mouth, little O, folded his used napkin up into a flower for me. I've got video and photographic evidence of this most darling act. Could you die?!

I'm starting to get very excited about seeing my munchkins though I am less excited that they don't have school until Wednesday, and during that time Jack is having two cavities filled. Hmm. I'm almost nausea-free and am tonight making T a dinner from the Gramercy Tavern cookbook: baked clams; puffed potatoes. Asparagus on the side. And German Chocolate cupcakes (he didn't want a whole cake because he is trying hard to stay on his health wagon), some for us, some for my trainer whose birthday is tomorrow. I love her, she also doesn't want much in the way of birthday dessert, so splitting a half-recipe between the two of them seems like the way to go.

Now I'm hungry again...off to make those cupcakes!

Another movie, lazing about is the bomb

Saw The Wolf of Wall Street today and thought it was great. Better flow and less drag than American Hustle. Matthew McConaughey's slight bit was brilliant; seriously, I was mesmerized. Though not a diCaprio fan (do not even get me started on the monstrosity that was Titanic), he was terrific as Jordan Belfort. The intensity, the drugs, that insatiable appetite! I can't believe the real Belfort didn't die at some point, and to play him must have been exhausting. Margot Robbie is stunning and was terrific. Lady crush in the house.Quick dinner, last night's Real Time (welcome back, Bill!), and a serious curiosity about Mary Matalin, specifically what was wrong with her last night, and what was going on with her hair?!?! To bed!

The day o' the birth

Thanks to me, the boys, my in-laws and a vacation day from work, I think T had a terrific  birthday. He romped with the boys, devoured cinnamon rolls, mounted an enormously heavy vise on his work station in the garage, went to the gym, putzed, read, and lazed. We then spontaneously decided to see a matinee of American Hustle and then commenced the beer crawl at St. Arnold's on Jefferson.

It was hoppin' and I dare say we felt marginally old. I ordered two steins of brew and some frites (terrific frites sauce, St. A) as T maneuvered into a tiny spot we could share.

He was underwhelmed by American Hustle which I felt was further evidence for never reading reviews before seeing any film. I didn't think it was amazing either BUT I also didn't have outsized expectations based on the pomp and praise of critics I don't know. I just think going in blind, so the speak, makes for a purer viewing experience. The acting in AH was excellent but the story felt long and fairly ludicrous at times. I believe the film would have benefited from some tightening in focus. Christian Bale is a phenomenal actor. Truly, I think he and Daniel Day Lewis are absolutely incredible. Meryl Streep too.

Anyway, we headed off and walked over to B Too, another Belgian beer-heavy spot recommended by my friend, Kim, who still goes out as regularly and energetically as an 18 year old. Impressive. Thank you, Kim. At B Too, I moved to wine but T found a Belgian tripel he'd not yet tasted (this is getting to be a harder and harder feat) and we decided to have dinner. T ordered rabbit with prunes and onions while I opted for the beet salad with yogurt, pistachios and mint and then the Wafel van Kreeft, or lobster waffle.

Average food but a fun time. I had four spots planned, but when T said he'd had a great time and did I want to instead go home and put on PJs and watch a movie, I said amen, brother (boo hiss: I still feel fairly dreadful; headache was blazing by this point). I slept for nearly twelve hours and feel inordinately lucky to have about 36 hours left in the "off-duty" column. Think we'll see another movie today, and otherwise, I hope to be LA-ZY.