Best of 2008

As 2008 nears its end, I reflect on a few of this year's bests...

Best Purchase: MacBook - Can't leave the couch without it.
Best New Food Tried: Pata negra - Love the black hoof.
Best Movie: The Dark Knight - Incredible.
Best New TV Show: Fringe - Very cool.
Best Book Read: The Year of Living Biblically - Funny, literal take on the bible.
Best CD Purchased: Lenka - Quite merrily, baby.
Best Facebook News: My HS friend is expecting! - Congrats!
Best Blog Entry Title I Thought Up: All-Thyme Wurst Robber - Classic.
Best Bargain: DSW - After discounts, clearance, and a $10 coupon I got a pair of shoes for $2.00. Imajen that!
Best Completed Craft Project: Crocheted Bunny - I did it! More to come.
Best Quote: "... You can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska." - Thanks for the memories, Sarah.
Best Craft Blog: One Pretty Thing - Crafts. Crafts. Crafts. Crafts. Jen rides up in the front seat today because she's a good girl at crafts.
Best Olympic Athlete: Michael Phelps - He's practically King Midas.

Hm.. other ideas?

What's on your Best of 2008 list?

[Image from Blacknight Solutions]

My cookies were gobbled up!

My turkey cookies were a hit this Thanksgiving! I definately need some more practice in the kitchen though. At my current pace (3 dozen cookies baked and iced in... 4 hours!) I will never be a force to be reckoned with in the cookie world. Must. Learn. To. Decorate. Faster.

Try Dry

New Dry Soda flavors!

Soup's On

I bought this soup at Mitsuwa Marketplace in Arlington Heights, IL. It had been setting in my cupboard for awhile now. Even though it sounded tasty, I'll admit, I was apprehensive. I found nothing else to inspire me food-wise last night, so this soup got its chance.

My initial impression? Salty! But mmm... tasty. Very tasty. Very, very tasty. I would have eaten it all, but at 44% RDA of sodium per serving, I controlled myself. This soup was like gourmet ramen.

This little piggy had acorns...

The most delicious meat in the world is pata negra (or black hoof in Spanish and Portuguese) from the Black Iberian pig. Pata negra is a type of jamón ibérico de bellota, ham from free-range pigs that roam oak forests along the border between Spain and Portugal, and eat only acorns (thanks wikipedia!).

Jake and I tried pata negra while visiting the Marion Street Cheese Market in Oak Park, IL. Wondering how much this fine ham will set you back? We found it for $160.00 per pound. Our 6 or so thin slices rang in at $10.00. It's very worth it though if you're a foodie-type and enjoy prosciutto.

Pata negra is the best prosciutto you can imagine. It's texture is very similar, but it is so much more deliciously oily. The thin slices exude a rich oil as a result of the acorn diet. Definitely something to try if you have the chance!

[Image from su-lin]