In my Grandma’s kitchen.  I thought the lighting was so pretty, even though “Bowl of Fruit” has to be the most over-done, cliché, boring photography subject ever.  Gram fussed that the banana wasn’t pretty enough, but I think the bruises add character.  I’m spilling secrets here: that pear in the back is fake.  It’s so the bowl is never actually empty.

Cinnamon tea, honey, and girl talk while babies snooze nearby is the perfect winter afternoon.

Pastel cookies for Lydia’s half birthday party.  I bit into one and was *wham-o*ed with memories of being in grade school – I’ve been searching for this recipe for ages since tasting it two decades ago.  FINALLY.  Jen had it, and she passed it on.  I am ecstatic.

Sarah from Rescue Chocolate came through the Hey Brooklyn studio and brought this “Pick Me! Pepper” chocolate bar made with salt and spice.  It made me deeply happy.  I would have never selected this myself so I’m glad she selected it for me.  Thanks, Sarah!

Rob strikes a pose in the elevator of the studio.

Preeti had me over for lunch and made an elaborate stuffed mushrooms and pizza feast. For dessert she “whipped up” a raspberry buttermilk cake from Smitten Kitchen.  She brushed off my fawning as “no big deal”.

Carrot Creative celebrated a year’s worth of Digital DUMBO events by creating this potent whiskey-based carrot cocktail and topped them with gummi carrots.  Where the heck do you find gummi carrots?!  Aren’t they cute?

The Lost season premiere party at the Bell House had cans of Tecate masquerading as Dharma Initiative beer.

Sometimes we get behind in the dishes.

Phil played a “Farewell East Cost” show at a tiny coffee shop in Connecticut.  Then he took off for LA where he is, I am assuming, much warmer than I.

Nicole challenged me to find seven red things in my house and photograph them.

This is a cake topper from Bake it Pretty.*  Sadly, it has never actually topped a cake.

Here is Matty saying, “Howdy, Pard’ner!  Care to join me for nap?”

This is best little garlic chopping knife ever, and it’s only ten bucks!

This is a throw I got from a thrift store years ago for $4.  I will never tire of it.

This calendar is from Linda and Harriett.

In my house, even the shoes have dog hair on.

This is a telephone.

*I would like to note that Bake it Pretty didn’t send me this topper with the handle bars so messily glued – I made that mess myself.

The North Shore Animal League has a cat adoption van parked on the corner of my block every Sunday.  It has a Plexiglas wall so everyone is on display to passersby on the sidewalk.  Usually it’s filled with sqee!-inducing kittens, but this guy caught my eye more than anyone else.  I hope he finds a good home.

I couldn’t reach the cobwebs in my kitchen, so an old holey sock on a broom “kicked” them away.  I am so smart.

If your beer bottle starts looking back, it’s time to stop drinking.

I did this to someone’s car and left an apology and my phone number.  He called, but only tell me my note was very kind, and not to worry about it.

Rob got new glasses so I took new photos of him for online.  This is when we realized that he was covered in dog hair.

Laura and Dina are the duo behind the podcast Hey Girl Hey.  I interviewed them for Hey Brooklyn; you can listen here.  They had a lot of fun in front of my camera!

There’s construction around the studio which made it really easy to hear them walking towards the building – the catcalls and whistles reached a fevered pitch.

This is Kevin.  My lens flare gave him little hearts on his head.  I don’t know what he wished for, but I’m betting it’s a healthy baby.  He’ll be a poppa in July.

Kevin and Carmen have two cats.

David did a reading at a local cafe.  After, he signed copies of his book.

Rob and I walked to The Sackett for happy hour.  On Mondays and Tuesdays, Genesee Cream Ales are $1.

I just can’t bring myself to drink out of a can.

Brokelyn had their 2009 holiday party at The Sackett and bought a bunch of Boggle sets.  Afterward they gave some away.  Rob and I took one home, and the bar kept a few.  We played against Ann, one of the owners.  She’s REALLY good.

Oliver perks up…

… and perks down.

I went to Friendlies in Connecticut with my aunt and cousins.  The youngest one got this ice cream sundae made to look like a monster.

Joey said in lieu of a copay I could buy him a beer, so I did.  Healthcare crisis solved.  Obama, you can call me.

A group of us got pizza at Lombardi’s, America’s first pizzeria.  We were served by a waiter who looked exactly like Matt Kennedy Gould from the Joe Schmo Show.

I wore a fun hair thing.

Erica and I got takeout and filmed a video review of the food and service.  It’ll be on her blog soon.

Cupcake Gate 2K10 happened, and to spread goodwill (even though said debacle was no fault of their own) Robecelli’s did some awesome PR by giving Erica 2 dozen free cupcakes to share.  This one right here is banana cake with peanut butter frosting and bacon on.  It’s a nod to Elvis and his favorite sandwich.

I sewed the button back on my Christmas tree skirt, in keeping with my New Years Resolution to not let the little tasks that need to be done languish.

Robitussin and Tylenol.  Doctors orders.

Watching the sun rise and set behind the curtain.  This is my straight-ahead view from bed, and even though it’s lovely (and those shadows of bars make it so-very-Brooklyn), I’m tired of it.  There’s only so much of mid-day bed lounging I can take before I feel like a slob.

Watching TiVoed episodes of Peoples Court.  Here, she’s saying one of her famous lines: “You know what we say in Spanish? ‘Ni tu mismo te lo crees.’ You know what that means? Not even you believe your own lies!”

Snobby tissues.  There are a lot of these.

Tea.  I was drinking chamomile but switched to orange when I started to come around.

Leeloo, my constant companion.  She is wonderful.