A Very Happy February First.

I can't believe it's already February First. One month ago today, I had just arrived in San Jose, ready to begin the most exciting education I could imagine. One month ago tomorrow, I was moving into a 235 square foot studio apartment, in a not-so-awesome neighborhood, unpacking, and shopping at Trader Joe's with my parents. I knew no one in San Jose, and yesterday, I went to explore Kirk's Burgers with some dear friends, and was given a batch of cornbread this morning by another friend at school. It's been a very thrilling, challenging, and blessed month. Incredible, to think about those first days compared to these. Today, I went to school, where we began our Puff Pastry unit, after wrapping up the Choux unit yesterday, made a tomato tart, bought a new black belt for my brand new job at Buffalo Wild Wings, starting tomorrow (teehee), and shopped around my favorite flea market/antique shop for my dear mother's birthday. Then, I celebrated the first of the month by buying herbs for my window. So here are a few photos, to start the month of nicely. These are things I love.

Tomato Tart. A Mire Poix of Carrots, Onions, and Celery. Simmered with tomatoes, basil, parsley, garlic, red chili pepper flakes, and paprika. Then whisked with eggs, and baked. Delicious. 

The school just received copies of the magazine "Edible Silicon Valley" and in it, was this page, listing the produce in season between January and April in the Silicon Valley. 

The drawings are just so cute!

My mom gave me this Snow & Graham calendar, which makes new month's so fun. It sits on the desk, rather than hanging on the wall. But the best part is, on the back of each of the cards, is that month's print, without the calendar part - so now I get to use January's print in some crafty sort of way. Whoohoo!

 New herbs for my window. I went to the nursery, and was so excited to see this pre-made herb basket - sage, cilantro, parsley, chives, rosemary and thyme. And it fits right in my cookbook basket.

Finally, my sister gave me this adorable little kitchen towel for my birthday this year. And after a trip to Marshall's to get a new black belt, I found this cute little towel holder that hangs over the cabinets. Its perfect. 

And now for an evening of making birthday cards and Valentine's Day cards for my best girlfriends. Love the holidays.

Cheers.