The Crabby Cook - by Jessica Harper

I always have trouble when I have to make a choice between too many good options. This applies whether I am selecting a paint color for my dining room, or a pair of black sandals, or a recipe for a chocolate dessert. In a paroxysm of indecision, I will bring home seven paint samples from Benjamin Moore, buy four pairs of sandals at Bloomingdale’s, and make two desserts instead of one. Read More

It’s tough to go out for dinner on Valentine’s Day, actually.

For one thing, it’s tough to remember that you have to make a reservation a month in advance, even if you write a note-to-self on the palm of your hand like Sarah Palin does. Then if, by any chance, we do have a reservation, it’s tough to dress up in red or pink finery (it clashes with my new hair color), and then you get there and it’s tough to order (who can read by candlelight?), tough to hear each other (too much ambient laughter), tough to stay sober (who can resist the champagne?) and tough to dance to “Our Love Is Here To Stay” in high heels. It’s just tough all over. Read More