List 73

Love: "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve," one of the great old standards. Zooey Deschanel's version, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, has been plastered all over Facebook these past couple of days, no doubt introducing it to many people.  But to me, the peerless Ella Fitzgerald's version remains the definitive one.  

Like: Giant ice cube trays, for perfect rocks drinks.  

Discovery: Salon ran a feature on cocktail culture over the decades, which included this painting from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, by Larry Salk, done in 1961.  I can't decide what I like better: the actual painting or its title "Summer Cocktail Party with English Butler."  Either way, it's making me even more antsy for Mad Men to return in the new year.

Obsession: My mother brought home some of this Kerry Gold Garlic and Herb butter to use on the beef tenderloin roast we had Christmas Eve.  Today, I had to make mashed potatoes for 20 - my contribution to a New Year's Eve dinner party.  I followed the Cooks Illustrated-tested-up-the-wazoo-in-advance method, with this butter in place of the plain variety.  It made the best mashed potatoes ever.

Complaint: Are the Iowa caucuses really three days away?  I don't know if I'm quite ready for the election year.