"the generation of girls who can't even boil an egg"

that's the name of a real article, by the way. something simply must be done.

i have a love-hate relationship with eggs. i find them simultaneously delicious and revolting. sometimes they're runny, or chewy, which is just as awful, and then i can't stand them. i hate them cold. i am always anxious while cooking them. they just seem like a lot of a pressure.

but sometimes an egg is cooked perfectly. and then it's amazing. it's full of protein and good cholesterol (who knew such things existed?!) and a vibrant color that is so sure to start your morning in an excellent fashion. sometimes i get eggs fresh from linda, whose chickens are lovely and have feathers all over their feet like they belong in a haute couture runway show, and then i'm always excited. easter would be nothing without its exquisite painted treasures. deviled eggs are definitely a superior snack. and then, of course, there's my baking. my constant baking, which i am temporarily suspending. eggs are essential to all of it, holding the cake together, souffles, meringue... oh, when i am baking, i am speechless with my love for eggs.

because i am going on south beach (see my resolution #1), for the next two weeks i will be unable to appreciate eggs for their baking contributions. SO today, after a nice run in the rain, i decided to play nice and make some hardboiled eggs.

these are not my eggs. this is a picture of someone else's perfect hardboiled eggs. i didn't look up directions, because how hard can boiling an egg be? long story short, it's probably been 10 years since i made them, and i just sort of guessed on the timing (five minutes seemed like a nice round number). i cooked the whole dozen to a nice mediumboiled, much to my boyfriend's disgust who can, and i quote, "NOT eat a softboiled egg" (wuss). i, however, thought they were fantastic, with a firm outside and a nice warm delicious yellow inside. i already feel healthier!

and, as i may have indicated, i am filled with a newfound appreciation for the egg, which, when you think about it, is really a pretty beautiful thing, both as a symbol of life, and one of sustenance. next time they'll look like the picture. i hope.

love,

j