My love, thy name art “mac & cheese”, originally uploaded by Mad-Eye Melissa.

A variation on the baked mac & cheese recipe from the January ‘09 issue of Real Simple. I used broccoli instead of cauliflower and added some cumin for spice. I think I’d skip the sour cream next time, though — I’m not sure how I feel about the level of “creamy.” …Of course, it might help if I measured, which I didn’t. Much.

Anyhow, I’ve been forgetting to write my little thankfuls every day, and what better time to say ‘grace’ than right before a meal? …Har, har. Yeah, seriously ladies & gentlemen, I’ll be here all weak. Try the veal.

1. See the photo above; I REALLY love those plates, as hideous a color as they might be. There are somewhat-matching green drinking glasses here. So I am truly thankful for fun thrift store finds, because the whole set cost me about $10.

2. My family. I’m saying that today, particularly, because I recently moved away from them, and as close as we still might be, I miss them, and they always welcome me home with open arms. (And wagging tails, some of them.)

3. Nonfat chai lattes with a single pump of gingerbead syrup — heavenly.

4. Good friends who look out for me. (*waves* Hi Alicia!)

5. Renewed health and energy, because I could not have had a day like today, full of activity and totally productive, a few months ago.

On that note, I’m off to package up some of that mac & cheese and bring it out for a taste-test. Wish me luck!