1. Although I've had it for a while, my Red Wing "Jack Frost" cookie jar is finally feeling season-appropriate in my dining room.
I suppose I should hold a grudge... A date saw this little rarity and said, "Dude, why is that goblin humping your pumpkin?" Any inclination he may have had to do the same to me went flying out the window. Nevertheless, this is a classic Charles Murphy design. I love the bisque elements; the luscious saturation of the orange glaze; the disguised functionality of Jack Frost as handle. His startled expression -- as if the onlooker had caught him in the act of painting frost on the squash -- amuses me. This is one of two pumpkin cookie jars Murphy designed in the mid-60s -- the other is taller and has Jack Frost in a less suggestive pose, sitting atop the pumpkin. I'd love to have the set!
2. I've been listening to Paolo Nutini. I understand I'm a little late jumping on the bandwagon here, but he's ideal autumn listening: melodic, melancholic, and clever. Most people are all excited by "New Shoes," a snappy, upbeat song. I'm more interested in "These Streets." It's the kind of song that grabbed me right away with its wistful refrain; from the first listen, I wished I knew the words so I could sing along.
3. More Murphy: 
this Stetson China refigerator pitcher was a recent eBay purchase. Its shape and construction really excite me -- it is a curiously tactile object, designed to take up little space in the icebox. The grip handle is amazing; the way the oddly shaped lid locks in place is perfect. I can almost forgive the floral pattern, which borders on kitsch so closely they've started building a fence to keep it out.
4. The best song title I've come across in a long time is "Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning)." The song itself ain't bad, either. It's by the Kaiser Chiefs, a British band I had never heard of before. Their CD was $9.99 at Virgin Records on Times Square, and it was an employee pick of the week, so I gave it a try. Glad I did. I'm also rather fond of their song "Angry Mob."
5. Trader Joe's opened in Woodbury, just 15 minutes away. I've never been so damn ecstatic to be in a grocery store. I went for the first time yesterday. Among my loot: a bag of Chinese mustard wonton chips, a sack of avocados, three frozen pizzas, and all kinds of cheese. Eating will be fun again this week. I had been down to the "let's eat up this plain pasta, rice and tuna" phase of cupboard sparsity for the past week.
6. I'm dog sitting for a few days. Angus always enjoys it when his old gal pal Cashia comes around, but I think now, with his senses faltering, her presence is reassuring. He's lively and happy, and they frolic together merrily. Then they wind down and they look like this:
It makes me happy to see them sprawled out together, satisfied despite the dreary weather and my refusal to share Trader Joe's pizza with them.
Oh, I love those Chinese mustard wonton chips. Must get some.
Posted by: Amy | October 22, 2007 at 09:19 AM