Back home, ordering take-out to finish off the getaway

After a fantastic brunch at Day by Day -I had latkes with sour cream, applesauce and raspberry preserves, while T had the sweet potato and chorizo hash with eggs sunny side up and toast- we packed up, made our way to Minette for the baguette (still warm) and endive salad which totally hit the spot, and got on the road. I'd snagged a pumpkin cinnamon roll from Day by Day in case we needed a little sweet, and it was awesome. Recently I saved a food52 recipe for pumpkin and chocolate chip cinnamon rolls and am now more inclined to bake them soon. Anyway, we got home, picked up the boys and were amazed by just how quickly the overall intensity and pace of life was amplified. God, people. It was faster than fast. But they were in darling, playful moods so we went with it until they crashed into bed about 10 minutes ago. I've just had a ball unpacking all my new scores from the housewares store, goodies from the Italian market and getting back into the swing of laundry and such. This prompted a no-thought-required conversation about how great good take-out would be to cap off the weekend. 2Amy's pizza is coming our way and will hit the spot as it always does.

Cooking will resume tomorrow- with what, I'm not yet sure but as always, I'll keep you posted.

Did y'all see that hilarious Joe Scarborough comment referencing all the talk about Newt's extreme intellect? He rebutted, "If he's the smartest guy in the room, get out of that room."  Newt is such a narcissistic windbag. And seriously, what kind of shellac does Calista use on her hair? Scary. Does it move when she is in the wind, lays in bed, jogs?

OMG, I slept until 8a!

People, I cannot recall the last time I slept, uninterrupted and unencumbered, until 8a. What a treat, and how terrific for one's mental hygiene. T went and got me a delish latte and the Sunday Times, and I am cozy in bed reading and sipping while he researches breakfast spots.We have had such a ball; it is the greatest luxury to not be on a schedule. Yesterday afternoon, I napped and read my new book, Foer's Eating Animals which is excellently written thus far. T exercised (I just could not summon the motivation to do so), and we finally got dolled up and walked the measly block back to The Franklin. Fab choice to return. This time I started with The Lament of the Pretty Baby (these names are so great; rival OPI nail polish ones), and T opted for the second on the list of three punches, the Kill Taker. We noshed on pistachios, and were having such fun that we decided to stay for another round. T rounded out his punch experience by ordering the third and final choice, the Ragged Yet Righteous, while I jumped on board with the Player Piano. We then decided to get take-out and have a bed picnic while watching a movie; this is always a fun way to spend an evening- PJs + food + film? Fab. We rented Beginners with Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer (do y'all remember how dashing he was as Mr. Von Trapp?); it's offbeat but was well done, and overall, we enjoyed and would recommend it. So now it's Sunday morning, and we're enjoying this last morning of quietude and togetherness. The news is so god-awful that I keep putting the paper down and daydreaming about the endive salad I plan to order from Bistrot La Minette for the ride home. Did y'all see the story out of Kolkata about the horrible fire in the hermetically sealed private hospital that was storing diesel fuel in its basement? If that didn't strike anyone as a recipe for disaster, they weren't much thinking, and as it came to pass, 94 patients suffocated. Horrible. And then the story out of Afghanistan about the spurned suitor throwing corrosive acid on the woman, her sisters and mother. Classy. If that's they way a society behaves, well...I'll leave it with that for now, and "that" reeks of disgust and disdain.

Bistrot La Minette review

Wow! What a truly fabulous restaurant we just discovered in Bistrot La Minette, a just-over three year old find on S. 6th St near Philly's Italian market. Housed in a renovated fabric store, the exterior of which used to be painted like a dalmatian (walls, sidewalk and all), the chef has really created something special in this gem. He studied in France for several years, married a French woman who took all the photographs that decorate the interior walls and presents his diners with a truly authentic and memorable experience. The chandeliers are French antiques, his father-in-law taught him to make the outstanding baguettes they serve, and the red velvet banquette is just perfect, lining nearly half the periphery of Minette.I enjoyed a glass of the house white while T opted for a Belgian brew that he'd not previously tried. To eat, I chose (and devoured) the leek and goat cheese tart perched atop spinach purée and abutted by a frisée salad dressed with a superb tarragon vinaigrette which I will definitely attempt to replicate at home. T blissfully consumed his creamed Swiss chard and oeufs de Pecheur: a piece of artisan toast topped with two poached eggs, surrounded by mussels and dressed with a tarragon cream sauce. It was all scrumptious. We tried to purchase a baguette to go but are not able to do so until tomorrow as they go through so many on Fridays and Saturdays. On our way out of town, I feel certain we will make time to go grab one or two for the road and home. A definite two thumbs up and must-return-to place.

We also had a complete blast in Fante's, an old housewares store in the Italian market. God, it had everything, and naturally we came away with all sorts of previously unknown to us "necessities" such as a larder. I'll let you know what and when I lard. ;)