Does Thera-Flu count as an appetizer?

I spent my entire holiday weekend feeling ache-y, fever-y, sniffle-y and all around yucky. It's now Tuesday and my head still feels like it's going to explode. Anyway, over the weekend, I slept about 64 of those 72 work-free hours and in my waking moments I happily discovered the Fine Living Network on cable. I just couldn't watch anymore about Katrina or I would have had to ingest Zoloft with my Thera-Flu and Advil but Holy Old-Vine Zinfadel Batman, I am now addicted to the Fine Living Network in all it's pretentious sounding glory. Jimmy and I took a break from the world and watched hour long shows about food and wine pairings, our old friend Michael Chiarello took us on a tour of Terra in Napa Valley and my husband once again found inspiration in the kitchen. See kids, television really is educational and good for you.

I suppose I feel that these days I do the lion's share of the cooking, and enjoy it, but in the word's of my dear friend Kim, "I don't think I am a good cook, but I love cooking." And I do. I love the act of cooking. Slicing, chopping, stirring, flipping and my favorite, de-glazing. Seeing what happens when ingredients come together and knowing that I created something that is giving someone pleasure (hopefully) and nourishment, it's like therapy to me. Kitchen Therapy as Nigella would say.

Here is the thing. I had been whining to Jimmy, somewhat relentlessly, for about the past year, seriously, that I was truly missing the culinary artistry that is Jimmy. He simply said he wasn't inspired by what LA had to offer ingredient-wise and was missing Central Market in Austin (simply the best market ever. anywhere. period.). A place where the boy would literally do cartwheels down the aisles. Plus, there is that whole summer with no air-conditioning issue. But I digress...

I cook mostly because we need to eat, but also because it becomes my creative outlet at the end of the day. However, when Jimmy cooks, I get to watch an artist at work. For me it's dinner and a show, but not in that order. I get bored with my cooking, but Jimmy never makes the same thing twice. So, to me, it's always like Christmas when he cooks.

So, this past Friday night when all I could do was lie on the couch and moan, Jimmy could see that our usual Friday night grab-a-bottle-of-wine-and-head-out-to-local-Silverlake-establishment ritual wasn't in the cards. Instead, he went to the store and made cornish game hens with a wonderful herb-filled flavorful broth, olives stuffed with feta and carmelized onions and figs. I heart figs. Did I mention he doesn't use recipes?



The master at work...





He made this for me last night... when I could actually eat again...



and tonight he made Asparagus Risotto!



Chef Jimmy is back!! Perhaps, I should get sick more often.....

Oh, these are my new shoes. I just love them...



I realize these have nothing to do with anything food related except that I plan on wearing them to dine somewhere in Paris next week. Oooh La La! (French for WOO HOO!)