Wishful Thinking

Old French dishes, utensils, pots, pans, linens, bottles, jars, baskets -- anything having to do with cooking or the kitchen. These are some of my favorite things, and while talking to my husband the other day, I think I figured out why. My culinary skills leave a lot to be desired (this is an understatement) and I'm secretly hoping that if I surround myself with all of the above, the wonderful art of French cooking might somehow rub off on me. Wishful thinking, I know.

Oh, how I'd like to be able to make out-of-this-world quiches, heart-stopping profiteroles au chocolat, scrumptious sauces, and melt-in-your-mouth soufflés. And it would be nice to do it as effortlessly as some aficionados here do. Until that happens (and I'm not holding my breath), I might just try to learn a few things from Molly Wizenberg of Orangette. When it comes to cooking (among other things), she's quite the talented gal.