Last week I finally ran out of store-bought mayonnaise (I must've really stocked up on the stuff before this project began, because it sure lasted a while!), so I decided to make some from scratch. After all, I thought, we've got plenty of fresh eggs. Might as well use 'em! But as it turns out, a batch of homemade mayonnaise involves only one or two eggs (or just egg yolks, depending on the recipe). It is mostly oil. So much for using up those eggs! But it was still a fun concoction to create.

I used the Joy of Cooking's recipe for hand-whipped mayonnaise. I love the Joy; its directions are always so painstakingly precise and even borderline panicky about getting every step just so (i.e., "You must add the oil drop by drop, or your home will surely crumble upon its foundations and you will be buried alive in an avalanche of your own despicable making, you ignorant tart"). Not at all how I cook, so when following instructions in the Joy, I tend to take them with a grain of salt while giggling about what a naughty tart I am. However, I followed the mayonnaise-making instructions very carefully, and I'm pleased to report that it worked great! A couple of egg yolks, a pinch of salt and spices, a cup of oil, a little lemon juice, and voila! Mayonnaise fit for a king! There was some hard beatin' involved, but I've got a pretty strong arm, and watching that oil magically emulsify into thick creamy mayonnaise was downright amazing! I might never buy store-bought mayonnaise again. I will, however, need to purchase a lot more organic vegetable oil, which I plan to buy by the gallon during my next bulk-foods delivery order.

Spring is here - even if we are all bundled up in our winter gear! At least the sun was finally out today in spite of gail force winds and a wind chill of 15 degrees. My daughter called me early this morning to say, "I'm afraid to get out of bed today. It is so windy we might blow away!" Bulbs around town are making a gallant effort to break ground and flower.

Kathie Hanwell who is General Manager of Bon Appetit Management Company, a food service business, called me this past week to see if I would be interested in sharing my experiences in the Locavore Nation project at a group luncheon she is planning in April during Earth Week. She said that her company and the Locavore Nation share the same goals. After looking at their web site I certainly agree. This sounds like an interesting opportunity so I have agreed to participate and will let you know how things unfold. Will add the link to their site later.

Today is Easter and we are going to friends for brunch. Tonight the family is coming for a casual dinner. This is my idea of a perfect day - friends and food during the day, family and food at night. Work has been so busy lately, I had to race around yesterday to gather the fixings for dinner tonight. I went early in the morning to Russo's in Watertown. What a mad house! But I was able to get some of their handmade pasta for our family dinner and escape with my life.

I bought two pots of bright yellow pansies to put by our front door. They are all curled up and frozen this morning, but I know they will perk up when the sun hits them. That is what I love about pansies - they are real spring troopers! Yesterday my husband finished digging up and preparing our new vegetable garden for action. The family is having fun deciding what we are going to plant this year. More snow is in the forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday.

Have a great day everyone!