thursday night notes from my kitchen

1. On Mugs

I'm a recovering mug snob. I've slowly but surely had my snobbery exposed and beaten out of me by my male house mates. We're an even gender-split in our home of four, and I was told this evening all I brought to the table was theft (one of them lost his camera cord; I of course stole it) and feminism (after getting taunted with this article and rolling my eyes in a classic "don't get me started" kind of way). "Oh and you can bake alright too" one of them added for effect.

I used to really only like drinking my tea out of one of a set of four Country Road mugs I'd been given for my birthday a few years ago. One male flatmate recently took to purposely making my tea not in my mug of choice, knowing how much it grated me. We had a purge recently of surplus crockery - to the brown box they were banished - and my neuroses around mug usage were laid bare. I love mismatched plates, and I really enjoyed reading about Joy the Baker's plate collection a couple of days ago, but mugs I'm just a little bit  funny about.

And so I'm making a concerted effort to love the other mugs the boys insist on keeping on the shelf. All different shapes and everything. One of them returned recently from a brief sojourn in Europe and on purpose returned with a souvenir mug that's actually very cute. I've learnt to love it; it's amazing how good two mismatched mugs can look side by side, full of fresh morning coffee, on top of the Sunday paper, whilst lazing on the couch, Band of Horses playing, pre-winter sunshine pouring in.

2. On Scones

I'm cooking again on Good Morning this Tuesday, post long-weekend shenanigans. I made these savoury pumpkin scones for my workmates bright and early yesterday morning, and they're going to feature on the show. They didn't rise as intended, but I think I know why and have altered the recipe and technique accordingly. And if not, then I'll just look silly on national television. Again. Remember the disastrous cauliflower soup? (it is actually delicious, and it is soup season, so don't let my technological incompetence put you off trying it!)

3. On the Weekend ahead

The fridge is stocked full of tasty ingredients, all ready to come away with us for a long weekend with a bunch of mates at the beach. I'll be off to the mighty Wairarapa after work tomorrow and culinary features of a bach holiday will include banana bread, homemade burgers, that bread, tasty salads and along with board games and good music, lots and lots of cheap red wine. Wherever you are and whatever you're up to, enjoy!