This was the big weekend of Zach’s Birthday Pizza Party so Zach and I headed up Whidbey Island the night before to prepare. Mom had a dinner of dilled carrots, pan-fried steaks and fried potatoes waiting for us. Lately I’ve either been cooking huge, fancy event meals or been so exhausted that I just make myself a sandwich, so having my Mom’s home cooking was such a treat. The dinner was delicious, but I especially loved the hand-cut wedge fries that were soft and fluffy on the inside and crisp and golden on the outside.

As we were eating the last of the fries, I suddenly remembered that I had brought along my Casina Rossa Truffle & Salt (from La Buona Tavola, Truffle Cafe). We sprinkled it on our remaining fries and there were moans all around the table. It was so good. My mom actually got mad at me for not bringing it out earlier. Then she suggested we make truffle salt omelettes for breakfast the next morning. I think Zach called her a genius.

We spent the rest of the night making pizza dough and watching Word Wars, which was fantastic. It was not only the best documentary I’ve ever seen, but also one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long, long time. It was funny and engrossing and it made me realize that I’m not neurotic or obsessive in the least bit.