"Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa"

OK, so I have not posted in over a month, and the last post I left up here had to do with my dog dying. I am sorry for having been away, and sorrier for leaving that particular post for my last visible one.

I am going to do better. Honest.

There are lots of good things going on right now, and I am finally having some free time to do the things I want to do, which right now means blogging and baking. I just pulled some awesome dark chocolate brownies out of the oven, and am re-pre-heating for a batch of Cook's Illustrated's "Ultimate Oatmeal Cookies" (chocolate-chunks, dried cherries and walnuts).

Why am I baking on a hot June day, you might ask? Well, I got an early birthday present from my girlfriend Susan and I am putting it through its paces:

Yep, that is the color I chose also: caviar. Think: metallic flake black. Very cool.

So, I promise to be somewhat more dilligent in my posting. I have a lot to catch up with: movies, music, books, etc. The end of the academic year. A vacation trip to Chicago (including a afternoon matinee of "Wicked"). I will be moving at the end of July. And, just last week, I was out shopping for diamond rings. Stay tuned.