Have your nest and eat it, too.

So.  It turns out, I'm nesting.  But I refuse to blame this entirely on pregnancy.  I've always loved organization, despite what my overstuffed-with-stuff apartment looks like (let's just say these photos of our place are really flattering).  Given a blank check and some more time off of work, I'd fill my shelves with boxes and organizers and happily alphabetize files, books, and spices all day.

I took most of a day off work last week so that Nick and Dan and I could go to the Brooklyn (Red Hook) Ikea.  There, with some early Christmas money from generous relatives, I bought a large shelving unit and many organizational accoutrements.  The shopping endeavor naturally left our party famished, and we stopped for lunch in the Ikea cafeteria before heading home.



Yum!  I had potato, broccoli, and cheese croquettes served with macaroni and cheese.  The guys had Swedish meatballs with potatoes and lingonberry preserves.  Dan threw in a few extra pieces of garlic toast, and we all had lingonberry soda (my favorite part of the meal).  I suspect Ikea is at the top of the cafeteria food game.  Everything was clean, the food was delicious and comforting, and the prices were dirt cheap (Dan and I spent just over $11 for the two of us).  I think I might make eating there -- I mean organizing my apartment -- a more regular habit.

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So far, I remain unsponsored and sorry about that.

If any local restaurant owner or chef wants to pay me (in food or gift certificates) to write about how awesome his or her fare is, I'm open to the idea. Especially if that restaurant is Buttermilk Channel. Because, that's where Matt got the dinner we ate for his birthday a few weeks ago, and it was resplendent -- moist chicken with a slightly salty breading, cheddar-filled waffle wedges, a thin and sweet syrup (tasting slightly of balsamic vinegar?) bread & butter pickles, coleslaw, and candied/bacon-flavored almonds. I now wish to try everything on the menu, once I can stop hyperventilating with delight.



While we're on the subject of Matt's birthday party, take a gander at the snack and appetizer buffet he assembled. This is some serious snack curation. Well done, birthday boy. Well done.


p.s. Does anyone else have 7 or more friends named Matt?