this bluesy.smokey.greasy barroom rock sound
is sure to bring joy to the ears of many.
grab a beverage (cold press in my case)
and start your day right.

'everlasting light'
from the black keys new album 'brothers'
(in stores today):

rhubarb desserts

rhubarb desserts are a summer favorite (summer because the rhubarb in northern minnesota isn't ready in the spring).  since childhood, my mom has been making the most delicious dessert (involving graham crackers, pudding, marshmallows and cool whip). i've been working out a way to reinvent this as individual servings. here's my first try. graham cracker cups, vanilla pudding, rhubarb compote, meringue topping.

chocolate cheesecakes

a layer of thin mints, a layer of the most amazing chocolate cheesecake, and a layer of genache.

you're the voices swallowing
my soul, soul, soul.

from the national, 'afraid of everyone'

so fitting.

everyone has that music that makes everything better. the records they go to before anything else. the music that just fits.
call it tortured. call it deep. the voice of matt berninger has been singing sweet songs with the national for over a decade.
their new album is 'high violet'. it is amazing. and it is in stores today.

mini chocolate eclairs

this treat (which my grandmother used to make for my mother) was perfect for mother's day!

my nephew b. certainly agreed.

strawberry rhubarb pie

my sister and i made a scrumptious pie for a pre mother's day family dinner.  really, she made the pie but let me stir, roll, and assemble.  have i mentioned my amazing sister and her skill in the kitchen?  i can only dream of being that organized. that knowledgeable. that talented. 

i had a dream last night
dreamt that i was swimming
and the stars up above
directionless and drifting
somewhere in the dark
were the sirens and the thunder
and around me as I swam
the drifters who'd gone under...

from josh ritter's change of time,
which is on 'so runs the world away'
which is out today.

cookies

cookies. ginger for me. and chocolate for t.