you didn't ask, but i'm telling...

Let's get personal! Personal! Yes, you were supposed to automatically catch on that I was writing that in the tune of let's get physical. Did you get it? No? Don't worry, no points off for that. We can still be cyber friends. And speaking of friendships, I figured I should update you on the little surprises I said were in store for me...and you (as my lovely readers) this summer. So did anyone guess what Martha Stewart, a Georgian estate, and baking for 30 days straight all have in common? Well there were no comments so I will take that as a no and just give you the answer (how easy is this guessing game right, right!). Well, they all have me in common. Duh.

Here's the plan. I'm impulsive. Did you know? Aren't you sometimes? Its a fantastic way to live. Life is short after all. And so I have decided to take this summer to create my own little coming-of-age story a la Martha Stewart style. I am already of age obviously (allegedly) but it sounds more intriguing phrased that way. So thinking back on what this blog is meant to be about, the first idea that popped into my head was, "why not take the whole summer traveling and baking!" Quite indulgent I know, but if I really want to live like the French, then this will help me fit right in. So as I see it, its really more preparation research. Ha! Clever.

The whole summer plan is all still coming together, but get this...I just bought a one-way ticket last night! I love this new version of myself! I've always been spontaneous, but not like this. This version, this is like when you give someone a good bottle of Brandy and it all just comes out. Its like my personality is on summer Red Bull overdrive. The ticket is to the sky blue coast of Florida for some fun in the sun (NYC is turning into a rainy mess, not beach season at all). In Florida I want to start small...baby steps. Get better acclimated with the kitchen and its inhabitants such as mixers, measurers, pans and ingredients. I want to spend a full day at Whole Foods and learn more about premium ingredients like Madagascar, and do bake tests to see how taste changes with certain brands. Its all very scientific and boring, I know. But you can only do a hobby for so long the same way before it gets stagnant. I really appreciate the art of baking and want to master it! And since I really have no friends here in NYC, in FL at least I can do my first tea party and picnic since taking on this culinary addiction! I've already pre-warned my good friends to expect to gain a noticeable amount of weight while I'm in town. I mean, if you can't get your friends fat, what kind of friend are you really?

Then, drum roll, I'm off to Georgia! By car! Yup, a full 23 hour drive from peninsula land to the great peach state. But this isn't any old visit to Georgia, I'm going into the belly of the beast. I'm going to visit my grandmother who I haven't seen in maybe a decade (more on how much of a horrible granddaughter I am later). She will be ecstatic, I'm sure. But no one more so than me. Why? Oh, well she happens to live on acres of land in the most gorgeous three-floor semi-mansion with a forest filled with beautiful deer as her backyard! The basement is a full on sewing studio, the kitchen is the size of my NYC apartment, and my grandma is known to man as the poster child for hoarding. Kitchen appliance hoarding! I know, I know...its a dream come true. What can be better than baking the summer away with my nana and all her KitchenAid wonder? Nothing, trust me. And I'll get to try my hand at all the decor DIYs I've been collecting. Anddd, I am finally getting film for my vintage camera so I can try my hand at film photography, give this little blog a little character. That intimidates me more than making macarons for the first time (which I plan to do, just wait!) because photography is not my forte, but alas, one must try. So my friends, as you can see, this is a summer filled with splendor, and I can't wait to share.

Here's where I need your help though. I've already introduced my American In Paris column where I plan to tackle hard-to-master traditional French dessert cuisine, but I also want to launch a 30-day baking challenge! Something a la Julie Powell takes on Julia Child, minus the adultery-induced fame. So my question is, which books should I buy for my challenge? I'm still reading Cupcakes by Pamela Clark, which would fit since there are just over 30 recipes. But maybe Martha is a better suited beginner's guide? Or should I get all fancy and do Pierre Herme!! I want any and all suggestions, even ideas for things just to do while out and about. But include both French and American books, and only desserts and baking. I'm no Rocco Dispirito yet (oh my, and boy is he gorgeous...just noticed on his book jacket the other day!).

*UPDATE*
For my sweet, beautiful new reader Debbie, I have been thinking about this update and thought it was of no importance, but now I know it is. I saw her mentioning wanting longingly to travel and leave her hometown, but alas is low on cash. Just want everyone to know I am a young damsel with no rich family or platinum cards to speak of. I waited days, DAYS to score a $87 ticket on Spiritair.com (my trusted, beloved cheap ass airline but still quite clean and you get free drinks)! A deal I know. And I am carpooling to GA. So I might give a few bucks for gas, but other than that, never lose hope to travel. There is always a way (a cheap way)!
xoxo