pistachio cake

1. I’ve been eating this cake for like five days straight. It definitely gets better with age. (Like me. Ha.) (Recipe to come.)

2. If I made mac and cheese once a week for a year…would you still love me? And would I still fit into my skinny jeans? And do I even care? Hmm. Something to ponder.

3. Because I think the entire burden of wedding planning shouldn’t fall on the bride, I made the.boy call videographers this weekend. He was practically begging me for alcohol to ease the pain about 20 minutes in. My response: Welcome to my world.

4. I, meanwhile, bravely took on the arduous task of finding a photographer, which was really a little deceptive on my part because I’ve known even since before we got engaged that I wanted Brian to be our wedding photographer. We have officially signed a contract and I am absolutely thrilled that it’s all finalized!

5. The only bad thing about this past 50F weekend is that now 30F feels frigid where once it felt tropical. I almost want a polar vortex kind of day just so I can appreciate the warmth of subfreezing but above 0 temps again. But it’s a pretty big almost.

6. So what is your Oscar pick for best movie?? Are you having an Oscar party? Teach me your social butterfly ways. I’m gunning for Dallas Buyers Club or 12 Years a Slave. The.Boy wants to shack up with Captain Phillips. It’s going to be an all out duel come Sunday.

7. If you’ve ever wondered who is the kind of person who watches the entire last season of the Real Housewives of New York City on Bravo OnDemand in three days. I take the fifth. (But, guys. Ramona’s crazy eyes. WHOA. They are in full force.)

8. Really, having both Downton Abbey and the Olympics end in the SAME WEEK?! Who is behind this?! NBC? PBS? BBC? Masterpiece Theatre? VLADIMIR PUTIN?!?!? I’m watching you. All of you.

9. My lab experiments just did not get the birthday week memo. Three fails in ONE DAY. And there’s still a lot of downhill left to go from there. I’m thinking I should just take the rest of this week off and quit while I’m ahead.

10. Did my first double digit long run since November this past weekend. And then half marathon training got super real. Especially when I slipped on ice within the first quarter mile and had to finish out my run with a scraped knee and NYC street water on my face. Dedication.

blog_share_subscribe
Share →

65 Responses to Wednesday Coffee Talk

  1. Lynn says:

    I’m a little sad that Downton Abbey is already over! And I wish I had some of that cake for breakfast right now. 🙂

  2. debbie says:

    I’m hoping that Dallas Buyers Club wins. An excellent movie with great actors. Can’t get over how great Jared Leto was……Oh, and I will be having tons of snacks that have yet to be decided upon when I watch the show!

  3. Yes I want a big slice of cake! Love those frosting layers!!

  4. All the steps to wedding planning definitely take a lot of time….but they’ll be worth it in the end!
    And I support your once a week mac n’ cheese endeavor 🙂

  5. Barbara says:

    Looks like a nut flour in that cake? Pistachio?
    Old person alert: I do not watch the Oscars. I can’t stand watching those people sucking up to each other.

  6. Can we start a petition that Downton have at least 12 episodes a season? I feel so deprived when it ends.

  7. Shelley says:

    Do you think you will ever do a post how to become a “runner” or start running in general? I would be curious to see one if that is something that interests you to post about!

    • joanne says:

      I would LOVE to do a post on how to start running and will definitely get on that!! Thank you so much for your suggestion and interest…I always love getting ideas from readers!! 🙂

  8. I had to chuckle at (3). I had my husband book airline tickets for the six of us for the first time and he couldn’t believe how long it took + rental car, etc. It’s a good exercise so next time he snaps his fingers like it should have been done in a second, we’ll have a laugh. So exciting that Brian is going to be your photographer!!

  9. Simply Life says:

    that’s huge that you already picked out the photographer- one huge step down!

  10. Simply Life says:

    …only about a million more to go, right?! 🙂

  11. WOOT WOOT! Can’t wait to schedule our engagement photo shoot!

  12. NYC water to the face sounds brutal. You truly are dedicated, I’d have probably given up. And yes, totally agree that wedding planning should be a dual task! I realize that they just want to be told when to show up and where but come on, guys! Give a little. Just a little!

  13. Meg says:

    Yay for choosing a wedding photographer! I had ours picked out even before we got engaged, too — and they were the very first vendors we contacted. In fact, we chose our date somewhat around their schedule. 🙂 Hey, when you know, you know!

  14. Teffy says:

    Ooo I really want the recipe for that cake!!

    Don’t think I’d eat mac n cheese every week. I have it very rarely, which makes it quite a special occasion when I do. Keeps it special!

    {Teffy’s Perks} X

  15. Can NOT wait to see the recipe for that cake Joanne – it looks awesome. Haha love that you had the.boy do some wedding planning. I don’t think the guys realize how much work and worrying we do to make sure everything comes together! Also I think I could eat your mac and cheese dish every night and not get sick of it 🙂

  16. Wow, I can’t wait to see wedding photos from Brian! And I’m so with you on making the groom do some wedding stuff!

  17. SallyBR says:

    A bit busy this morning, but wanted to say hi and answer your questions on #2

    Yes

    No

    Yes

    🙂

  18. I don’t blame you AT ALL for eating this cake for five days. I would be eating it three times a day for five days. Whoops. Oh man, double digit runs, my first is coming up next week and I’m a little nervous. Haven’t done double digits since JULY – yikes!!!

  19. Love your Wed coffee talk! I want some cake while I read. Brian is a great photographer and I am so jealous that he was probably in grade school when I got married so I couldn’t hire him…haha.

  20. Nice chat! Speaking from first hand experience, if you ate mac ‘n cheese every day of the week and enjoyed it, your jeans size would matter less to you than you might think… That said, congrats on hitting double digits, once again, in the running department. I know that makes you feel good too, as it should. Stay warm, Joanne!!

  21. Erika says:

    I really want to know about that cake.. and I know your photos will be amazing. Brian is so incredibly talented.. 12 years a slave was such a good movie and book. I truly hope they win..

  22. cheri says:

    One of your best coffee talks yet. Chuckle! For some strange reason I’m hooked on the Beverly Hills housewives, I’m mean really, I am an avid hiker and eat mostly health food and my feet have never seen or been near a heel anywhere that height. I just can’t help myself.

  23. Yay for getting Brian as your photographer! He is so awesome! (and so are you) 🙂

  24. Putin clearly is not a downton fan. Not cool Putin…

    I really love this series!

  25. I’ve been eating a cheesecake I made on Saturday everyday this week. I do not blame you. Can’t wait for the recipe. And congrats on the photographer!! Brian looks amazing!!

  26. Congrats girl – you sure are dedicated running double digits with injuries – in the cold!
    That cake – that cake I want! If it gets better with age – then it must be fantasmagoric now – send me a peace pretty please? 🙂

  27. Sammie says:

    hahaha.. I guess some cakes test better when they age. There’s one cake in my office that’s been sitting on the table for two weeks now. It’s supposed to taste better by the day…. but….

    Anyway! Hope wedding plans are coming along well! Can’t imagine what it would be like planning the entire thing by yourself! At least the boy is taking action yes?? 😀

  28. sandra says:

    I’m with you on the weather – how funny relativity is. can’t wait for the cake recipe – although I am on a 10 pounds or bust diet/regime and won’t be partaking of any cake for the foreseeable future – or until summer happens and I can relax again.

  29. Please make mac and cheese recipes EVERY WEEK! Oh man. So good. Also, SO HAPPY to hear that you got Brian as a photographer! You’re going to have so much fun! Again, we need to Skype girl! xx

  30. Pam says:

    Love that cake and so much to think about here…

  31. And just like that, the season of Downton is over. DIDN’T IT JUST START??? Also? I didn’t even know the Oscars were coming, until I saw a promo with Ellen. I’ll, of course, watch it just for her.

  32. So excited for you – coming up on our 20 year anniversary, I can tell you that a happy marriage is the best thing ever!

    My pick for the Oscars is, hands-down, Dallas Buyers Club (though I was a little creeped out by super-skinny Matthew Mcconaughey).

    Have you watched Mr. Selfridge? Definitely has the Downton vibe…

  33. Veronica says:

    Loved this! So fun to get a glimpse into your life beyond what you share with your recipes. Looking forward to that beautiful cake’s recipe!

  34. Kate says:

    I hate falling when running. The feeling of embarrassment dulls the pain, which kicks in hard core when you’re somewhere when people aren’t watching!

  35. P says:

    Aww, I admire your dedication Joanne! Especially since now I know what dirty, cold NYC slush is really like D:!!

  36. Wait….DOWNTON IS OVER?!! I just watched the last episode last night but I didn’t realize it was the LAST episode of the season. Well, that’s certainly a downer. My only comfort is that there’s finally a new episode of New Girl on my DVR. Hallelujah.

  37. So exciting that Brian is your wedding photographer!! Also, super jealous of your double digit runs! That’s awesome. I sadly have not seen double digits since September (gasp!)…..but, let’s see what next month brings.

  38. I could eat that cake everyday until it was gone. Be careful what you wish for when it comes to that polar vortex. I’ll be happy when 50 seems down right hot. 🙂

  39. Beth says:

    I’m longing for that cake, and I don’t even know what’s in it. Post that recipe!

  40. Faygie says:

    I see you ended up making your wedding cake for your birthday, huh? 🙂 I was planning on making that cake for my husband’s birthday 2 years ago, but ended up making something different. I hope to make it for him this year. I have made the frosting before, to use on another cake, and it was wonderful!

    I’m planning on running a half marathon this fall, so I too would love for you to write a post/posts about running.

  41. Trisha says:

    i love a good layer cake and this is no exception x

  42. Christina says:

    I will gladly give you my polar vortex 🙂

  43. Pam says:

    I tried jogging (a VERY small amount) while on my daily walk today… I felt like a rockstar! Thanks for inspiring me to try this running thing.

    I’d eat that cake everyday!

  44. I LOVE that you’re, like, having a food blogger wedding! Lol with Lauren as a bridesmaid and Brian as your photographer! And congrats on getting him booked, so amazing!

  45. Hotly Spiced says:

    Your cake looks divine. I know I have no right to complain because organising a 21st is not as big a deal as organising a wedding but can I whinge just a little? We have a theme and we made our own invitations by photoshopping my son into a background picture then there were speech bubbles and a little note on the bottom, then the inside had to be done, then there’s a separate little card inside the invitation for the guests to bring on the night, then all were sealed with a wax seal and I had so much trouble sourcing the wax, then there was the queuing at the post office to post all 100 of them. And that’s just the invitations. I’ve chosen the caterer, we’ve sorted the menu and now I’m dealing with thousands over decorating the venue. I know your pain! xx

  46. WTG on the double-digit run! I hear ya about the wedding planning. It takes over your life for a while.

  47. I so don’t look forward to any of those parts of wedding planning; I still haven’t even mustered up the courage to talk to any locations yet haha – good thing we’re not in a hurry! Good for you for taking care of business though! And HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! Hope you had a fantastic day despite the failed lab experiments – you should be taking time off anyway! 🙂

  48. KATHY says:

    I missed several weeks of Downton because we were traveling…I will be streaming it so I can catch up! I can’t believe the season is already over…I feel like it just started!
    Gorgeous cake…I’d be happy eating it all week long!

  49. I’m glad to see another mac and cheese board in the making! Never can have enough….

  50. You are a superstar. I’d love you even more if you took on the mac and cheese challenge…heck, I might even join you! 😉

  51. ~Bea~ says:

    Please tell me that is not a banana (I’m allergic) cake???

  52. Sorry about the experiments and the running slip! On the plus side – cake. And a wedding photographer. Hopefully balancing out?!

  53. So cool that Brian will be your wedding photographer! I love his work 🙂 I’ve only seen one (I think) of the Oscar nominated films – American Hustle – it was decent but don’t think it’s Best Movie worthy (like Argo last year.) You go with the double ditch run – outside in NYC no less!

  54. Hey girl, Love your coffee talk. Your cake looks beautiful, can’t wait for the recipe! Take it easy on the cake thing, you don’t want to ruin your waistline.
    Downtown Abbe is my favorite – while Revenge is my sis Liz’s. And, don’t have a favorite this year for the Oscars, but I know we will enjoy Ellen hosting it for sure!

  55. I just said to myself, I missed Joanne’s Wednesday Coffee Talk.
    1 – that cake, I need it.
    2 – we would love you even more if you made it once a week. I’m not sure your skinny jeans would though – but who cares?!
    3 & 4 – I can’t wait for this!
    6 – 12 Years a Slave. Ever since I’ve been an avid Lupita obsess…I mean follower.
    9 – Boo to those labs! Why don’t they understand?
    10 – Congrats!!

  56. You’re holding out on me with that cake. I clearly need that recipe now! Just watched 12 Years a Slave yesterday and thought it was a fantastic film. I’m cheering for it, but I haven’t seen Gravity yet. Watching it Friday. Yeah, I just want warm weather. I will appreciate it regardless. It’s gonna be -10 tonight. That’s just not cool.

  57. Cake. Cake. Cake. Cake. I want it in my life now.
    Also, I’d totally love you if you cooked mac & cheese everyday – provided that a fair share of the stuff is sent to me later. Yeah.
    Ahhh Downton Abbey. I’m so looking forward to exam season to end so I can watch the last season uuugh I miss it.

  58. I can’t get into Housewives of NY…but, Beverly Hills and Miami…those are another story. Don’t tell anyone! 😉

  59. Christine says:

    February, especially the last week, is always nasty. No idea why. I’ve just found it to be the case, at least for me. Hope all the bumps get paved over and a big dose of happiness and joy arrives! 🙂

  60. rika@vm says:

    Fluffy cakes like this are hard to resist and I love mac and cheese all the time – and having it once a week isn’t an issue!

  61. I think I have forgotten what 50 degree weather feels like. Winter will never end.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *