I'd Like to Thank God....

OMG, dear readers.

OMG.

The amount of culinary swag I received for Christmas is astounding.

My family must really totally insanely love me.

Or, they just want me to cook.

A whole lot.

First of all, there is now a blowtorch in my house.

The hubs gave my firefighter cousin Christopher a heads-up about that on Christmas Day.

And, assuming the house is still standing, The Husband will most def be receiving crème brulee for my most fav day of the year, Valentine’s Day.

Yes, dear readers.

For moi, Christmas is just a mere leadup to the REAL holiday – Valentine’s Day.

Now, I know all you cynics out there are like, “Valentine’s Day is for losers and it’s just a way for Hallmark to make a buck or two.”

But, for realsies – I loved me some V Day well before I was hitched. Hell, as a drunk single college gal in the 90s stumbling my way through bad dates and frat parties and bars and pickup lines and the snowy streets of Pittsburgh where all the boys were grungy and wore flannel and had long hair and smoked copious amount of cigarettes and other nastiness and love was nowhere in sight I still was still crazy sweet on February 14.

But back to Christmas.

So Santa bought us a Wii. I know, we’re so five years behind the times but whatevs. Technology ain’t my bag, baby.

And, the husband gave me diamonds that are so fabu. All the wimmins in my fam agree that Mark has AMAZING taste in the diamond department.

And, I am so super excited to give you the deets on all of my cooking presents.

“They’re MAJOR,” in the words of Posh Beckham. Love her, not for anything other than style.

First off: THE Le Creuset:

Courtesy of my amazing numero uno MIL (mother-in-law).

Last year, I went on a Le Creuset hiatus. I don't know what I was thinking. In retrospect, I believe the bad economy news made me feel like a $200 piece of cooking equipment really wasn't that necessary.

My MIL was crushed. Mark informed me that she LOVES buying me Le Creuset. She hooks me up with the French cookware for all the biggies - Christmas and b'days. I'm such a lucky gal.

Really though this piece of fabulosity is for her. I was just trying to bring my amazing MIL happiness by offering her the opportunity to buy Le Creuset.

Seriously.

Honestly.

Well, I'll make her something delish in it no doubt.

I just put it on its awesome perch in my cucina. I stared at it for about 15 minutes before shutting the door to come up to the Man Room to write it about it for all of you. I can't even bring myself to remove the "Le Creuset" label yet. I will when I use it.

Next up:

Anthropologie has super cute cooking gear. Love.

How cute are these? And, best of all I needed a pair. My last were pretty dodgy.

My sister Michele rocked out with a cooking theme for yours truly. With my mac daddy vintage oven mitts from Anthro came an Ooo La La crepe pan and kit from Williams-Sonoma. Or, as my mom says Wi..Will.... William-and-Sononona.

I mean seriously. Stop the madness. As soon as I opened it, the gift brought me back to Paris, where I would diligently, giddily, dreamily enjoy crepes and ice cream and strawberries and chocolate and wine at various cafes throughout the city. And it was probably midnight. And magical. And awesome.

And then of course, there is the blowtorch:

Accompanied by, the proper creme brulee dishes and cookbook because let's be real, I have no freakin clue how to make creme brulee:

In what parallel universe does one think that I need a blowtorch?

Word on the street is that my sister Monica beat my sister Michele to the punch, because they both wanted to buy me said blowtorch. Perhaps it has slipped their mind that I can't light a match, break things by just looking at them, drop really fragile items daily and fall over while standing still, minding my own business. Not to mention the tripping, spilling and fumbling that go on in my day.

I think the reality is that my sisters really dig creme brulee and have concluded that I am the only family member who will probably make it for them.

In addition, I received Pyrex mixing bowls with lids (please see above note about breaking things. RIP old Pyrex bowls), a warming plate and server, cute dishes from Pier One, kitchen towels and a fab cutting board.

And then there are my new shiny cookbooks:

Goddess No. 1: Nigella; Goddess No. 2: Lidia Bastianich.

These broads complete me.

Love these Top Chef cookbooks. I've been reading them every night.

Yeah. I read cookbooks like novels. Don't judge me.

I love cookbooks. I almost love cookbooks as much as I love shoes and jewelry.

Almost.

So, my task these past few days has been cleaning out the kitch.

I only have a few more cabinets to go!

Super thanks to all my fam for hooking a sista up with amazing culinary gear. I know I'm forgetting somebody. I made a list. My manager, my stylist, my crew holding it down at home. I'd just like to take a moment to thank God. ....

Seriously, I love all of you SO much. And...

And..

I don't have to return anything.

Rejoice. Rejoice.

And, dear family you totally inspired me to bring some order to my cooking space and collect many of my old items for the peeps at Goodwill.

Happiness all around.

In conclusion, I'd like to end this post by sharing with you one of the best gifts I have ever received in my life ever:

Please imagine this photo being shot while The Husband is

shouting, "Smile. Damn it. Come on. A real smile."

My Aunt Lorraine, who is a total crazy goddess, embroidered this for me.

OMG. Love her! I can't believe in all her busy-ness of taking care of grandparents and being one of the best people ever that she took the time to make this for me.

Thank you soooooooooooo much, Aunt Lorraine!

Hope all my readers had a wonderful holiday, too! I will post more now that it's finito. Pinky swear.