Zach Hurd and band, Spike Hill, Williamsburg.

Some really fat, wet confetti snow this morning. It doesn't stick, but the cold remains.

The Novelists, Banjo Jim's, East Village.

French toast cupcake with maple buttercream and bacon.

I can't find maple extract, so just use maple syrup.

Mini blueberry cheesecake.

Recipe adapted from the cupcake book Laura got me.

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
5 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups cream cheese
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup blueberries

Preheat to 325. Prepare 12 liners.

Crumble graham crackers, stir in melted butter. Spoon crumb mixture into bottom of cups, press firmly, set aside to set.

Beat ricotta until smooth. Add cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar. Blend until smooth.

Slowly add eggs, blending well. Fold in blueberries.

Spoon into cups, bake for 25 min. Cool/chill. Top with additional blueberries.

Peanut butter and chocolate chip cupcakes, in the awesome giraffe-print liners that Alicia got me for xmas. :)

Recipe adapted from the cupcake book that Laura got me.

Cakes:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup superfine sugar
2 eggs
1 cup cake flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter (I used Crazy Richard's)
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

350 degrees, about 20 min. Makes 9.

The batter is incredibly dense, and the cakes come out (predictably) oily, some even pulling away from the liners completely. I think I'll put in more chocolate chips next time, just because I like them and I feel the cakes, while nice as is, need a little "something".

Frosting:
1/4 cup chunky peanut butter
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon milk


I love these liners!

Tree went down.

Favorite shots of 2009.

Tony Lee, New York Comic Con.


Izzy.


Cast of Hair, Marriage Equality rally.


Zach Hurd, Spike Hill.


David Poe, Vassar College.


Matty, City Hall.


Naomi, New York Trapeze School


Federal Hall.


Lloyd, Meadowlands.


Dagfinn's moving day, Brooklyn.

Happy New Year!