We need to talk.

Heeeeeeeeeeey.

So, yeah. I hate that I have to bring this up. I mean, it might hurt a little. But--you've been hanging out here for quite a while now. And at this point, you're sort of loafing about, quietly ignoring me, hoping I don't notice it. It's almost like you're starting to think life is all about, you know, just sitting there and looking pretty.

And I'll admit it--I've let you do it. I mean, hey, you do look good. Real good. Especially the way the light hits you right there--like that. Your skin's almost flawless. And your curves--shoot, they're nice and solid, just the way I like them.

But I've been around the block, and I can tell you one thing: looks aren't everything, and can only take you so far. Sure, you're all shapely and firm and whatnot now. But in time, you may sag. You may lose some of your flavor. And if this goes on too long, you may just become a shell of your former self.

You need to get out there and learn that it's not what's on the outside that counts. And for your own good--for our own good--I've decided that we should say goodbye. Because if I know anything, I know that you'll just rot inside if you stay. And so, butternut squash taking up counter space, it is with a heavy, hungry heart that I say: it's time for a change. And change will be very, very good.

Top picks from the Martha Stewart craft sale

My good friend Leah, my good camera, and my good self braved the rainy/snowy NYC afternoon today and headed over to the very first Holiday Craft Sale featuring items made by several employees of Martha Stewart.

And oh-ho-ho my. Please witness this cuteness:

Each of these amazing acorn pendants by Hosanna Houser is named after the location where she found the original acron. She'll soon be opening an etsy site to sell the necklaces (our favorite item from the sale!); in the meantime, you can order them at hhjewelry@yahoo.com.

The cute girls from Handle & Spout whipped up these equally-as-cute hair pins.

This pimento cheese by Blondie's Southern Sweets and Savories made me question my previously held belief that I didn't like pimento cheese. Contact slapyomomma@gmail.com to order. Or to tell her that you dig her gmail handle.

Mini Notes from LoveTeenie make me want to write a tiny little hello to tiny little friends (big giant ones, too).

I loved the sweet detail on this platter by Gleena Ceramics.

These chunky-Mondrian-colored necklaces from JodiL made me smile. (And also crave candy. But that's totally unrelated.)

Check out a few more pics from the sale on my Flickr stream.

A little gift to me.

Hello, new knife.

Hello, diced onions and chopped pork shoulder and minced garlic. Hello, finely sliced carrots and chunks of winter squash.

Good morning, oranges. Good morning, banana bread. Good morning, peppers and onions in egg-white omelets.

Hello, soup and chili on cold days. Hello, gazpacho and sangria on warm ones.

Hey there, new recipes. Hello, consultations to "How to Cook Everything" and "America's Test Kitchen" and torn-out pages from Food & Wine.

Hi, small nicks to index fingers. Bits of blood and uncomfortable band-aids. Hello again, pitiful calls to Mom.

Hello, white cheddar and aged Gouda. Oh, hello, Manchego!

Goodbye, excuses for buying lame frozen dinners. See ya, visits to the pizza-slice place across the way.

Hello, friends around my table and friends in my kitchen. Hello, wine poured, jokes made, and stories told.

Hey, new knife.

I think you might like it here.

Noticing: This Whole Brooklyn Pickle Craze-thing

So lately, pickles have really been creeping up on me (which sounds kind of dirty, but let's just go with it). They seem to be surrounding me everywhere I've been poking around (still dirty?)--nearby green markets, quirky organic stores, neighborhood street fairs. I even found a few down in DUMBO over the past weekend. Here are three that caught my eye (yes, yes, and even my stomach--especially when free samples are involved).

McClure's Pickles. Their garlic dill pickles were my fave--like crunchy, pickley sunshine in your mouth.

Horman's Best Pickles. This is the one group I didn't get to try...I think I was a bit intimidated by the fact that the different pickle varieties were in huge open buckets (why am I afraid of big buckets? That is for another blog post, friends). This is the honey mustard bucket. Looks dangerous. And a little bit delish.

Rick's Picks. Fireworks-in-your-mouth good. They even have a pickle blog and were just featured on Martha Stewart's show this week. Go! Brooklyn! Pickles!