friday link love

Happy Friday, friends. Today marks the two week mark until our move. We should really start packing, don’t you think? I’m hoping that a good chunk of recipe testing for one of the books will be out of the way (I just need to be sent more recipes). At the risk of running a bit ahead of myself, I will try (but can’t guarantee) to post Friday links on the day of the move. Perhaps I can schedule it in advance and have it automatically publish on a certain day.

It hasn’t been the easiest week here. Besides mourning the death of Judy Rodgers, I got word that my middle school science teacher lost her battle with breast cancer. She had beaten it the first time, and then it came back, more advanced, and the treatment just didn’t work. She passed away two nights ago, still very young. One of her children is still in college.

And yesterday’s news of Nelson Mandela’s passing were, while not entirely surprising, still sad. The world lost a remarkable figure.

There’s much packing (and recipe testing) ahead for this weekend. Also, a tree-trimming party, a now-annual tradition, at our friends’ place replete with mimosas, bloody marys, and a stromboli that puts you in hibernation mode for the rest of the day. I’m thinking of bringing these cookies along. I hope wherever the weekend takes you, it is merry and bright!

Amazing shadow sculptures by artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster – absolutely stunning.

The U.S. is terrible at international tests. Does it matter? Is it a predictor of success?

Non-organic food that’s safe to eat. If, like most folks, you’re on a budget, eating 100% organic can be very expensive. Getting your produce from a trusted farmer, even if they aren’t certified organic, is one way of solving this problem. But if you’re not near a greenmarket, this is a helpful guide on where it’s okay to eat conventionally produced food.

How not to die of botulism.

The longest longitudinal study on what makes men (and I suspect women, too) happy.

Does a period at the end of a text message signal anger? I sincerely hope it’s simply a sign of good grammar. Also, this New Yorker cartoon captures me perfectly.

Why it’s harder to move up in America’s segregated cities.

I’m getting to the point where my Facebook frustration is through the roof. Anyone else? Folks, if you like reading this blog, just sign up for the updates via email (top left) or through an RSS feeder (I use Feedly and I love it). Facebook is becoming less and less reliable as means of disseminating information (unless you pay them, that is).

Shuna Lydon has some great advice for chefs.

The cake hack that will make your life better.

And lastly, it’s been a tough week (for me at least). Here’s a hedgehog in a muffin pan to cheer you up.