Truth of Ruth

This is my new hairstyle. I think it looks cute. Tim hates it. He would prefer I didn't leave the house looking like this. I think it looks nice and Nordic. We've agreed to disagree.

Other places where I have conceded to Tim: his demand for more beef stroganoff in our lives. I have a great recipe that hailed from my great aunt Clara, on the Mische side (which i am strongly resembling in the photo below). This morning Tim and I went to our local grocery store: where the produce is cheap, the meat section is diverse, and speaking English is optional. I was browsing in the pre-wrapped beef area, and the butcher offered to help me find something. I'm always game for advice from the experts, so I told him I needed a cut that was thin and good for pan frying.

Hmmm...says the bilingual butcher. He takes in the breadth of beef choices he has in front of him and then grabs a package. Here, you want this, and he hands me a tray of thin cut, very marbled meat labeled "Boneless Top Blade Steak."

This? I ask.

Yes, yes, this is the best, he says. This is really the best, it's tender and very good for you. And it's on special right now.

I must have looked a little quizzical, like, hey, what are you, you trying to pawn this discount meat on me? Hm?

So he says, This is baby foot.

HUH? I say.

You know, baby food, when you make baby food with beef, this is the beef you use. It's really the best. Really good, really tender.

Ohhhhhh. I say, Okay! And we just cooked up that beef and it really was the best stroganoff I've had in a long time. Tender, and just the right texture for baby foot.

Here's Tim and I at our friend Dana's fabulous birthday party last night. I spent most of the night showering Yitzak the cat with attention. When we arrived, I couldn't stop saying Merry Christmas! instead of Happy Birthday! or Nice to see you again!

Happy Birthday, Dana! You're the tops.