Thanks to my sweet friend Tracy Dove for her reminder on Facebook that it is indeed getting to be sugar skull time! Come join me for some sugary fun at Mesa Arts Center for their third annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration!  I will be teaching workshops on making and decorating sugar skulls, papel picado and calacas throughout the weekend.   Check out the complete calendar for dates/times/prices.  here

If you are in the market for new pots and pans, consider this offer from Calphalon. With any qualifying purchase, they will include a shipping box (for which THEY pay the postage) that you can use to send back your old cookware and they will recycle it for you and include 2 free canvas bags in the deal.  It always makes me feel good to see big companies with a good product initiating these types of programs.

Oh holy greatness, does Matt know how to cook up some killer grub, or what?!

My Sunday morning girlfriends and I hit the Downtown Phoenix landmark early this morning, and, as always, it was sooo worth the wait! Of the 4 of us, I was the only repeat customer, and as the waiter pointed out–the rest of my companions ‘owe me’ for bringing them to the worship at the altar of Matt’s artery clogging goodness!

I had the cheese omelet with bacon added. A simple but blissful affair. The omelet comes with a side of their stupidly good home fries and 2 thick slices of generously buttered sourdough bread and the requisite accompaniment of Terra Verde Farms luscious blackberry preserves. I always have to restrain myself from swirling my tongue around the darling little ceramic dish that the preserves are presented in for fear that it might just be considered bad form.

Everything at Matt’s not only tastes outrageous, but is presented with such charm. My friend Julie had the winning moment of the morning, when upon seeing the super cute little red rooster glass the orange juice comes in, declared she MUST have an O.J.! Of course, it is freshly squeezed and perfect–she was delighted!

Vicky and Jenny, who share my ‘sweet or savory’ dilemma, solved it by ordering one of each (the “Special” scramble with spinach, mushrooms, etc.) and the waffle and then split them. These are smart, smart ladies I breakfast with folks–real breakfast pros!