good things

This is the best version of the Owl Baby Vest ever, knit and photographed by Luscious Luka (rav):Holy cow, that's hilarious. Thanks for brightening up my day! Photo and knitting credits are all hers. It's gratifying to know that people are actually knitting my patterns; it's even more awesome to see tabby cats modeling them.

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I have devised the perfect cupcake frosting. Seriously.

Mocha Fudge Frosting

4.75 C. sifted powdered sugar
.5 C. unsweetened cocoa powder -- I used natural (not dutch processed)
.5 C. butter or Earth Balance margarine, softened
1/3 C. espresso (hot!) (you can fake it with instant espresso powder and boiling water)
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add butter, espresso, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed till combined. Beat for 1 min. on medium speed. Cool for 15 min. or so. This frosts 24 cupcakes or the tops and sides of 2 8- or 9-inch cake layers.

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Thai Beef with Chiles and Basil over Coconut Rice was a huge hit Monday night. I don't usually eat beef, but I made an exception for this. Very easy to make, to boot.

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Bright Star, the new movie about the Romantic poet John Keats is coming out soon, and Tony Scott has written a wonderful review of it in today's NYT: "Keats and His Beloved in an Ode to Hot English Chastity." How's that for a review title?