10 years ago i would have been all over this

reader, i think i have a problem. a mid-life crisis type of problem. i keep watching / thinking about / being plagued by the john lewis chrismas advert. and for reasons beyond my comprehension i keep crying. the boy. the costume. the present. too much. this is my life:

some random snaps of relatively recent cooking (turnip mash with burnt onions, pheasant with squash and quince and baking from my birthday party):

the new york burger survey continues..... last night i tried the burger joint hidden in the rather posh looking parker meridien. the patty was excellent - meaty and kind of loose / soft - with good garnish. an accompanying pickle reminded me that i have never sourced anything decent in london as regards fermented cucumber. the concept is pretty awesome, but it must be in all the guidebooks as 50%+ of the diners were tourists.