If you REALLY love me Santa ...

... this is what you'll leave under my tree this year!



The Tercenturian Hamper, from Fortnum & Mason.

I promise I've been a good girl. Really, I have! Don't you think I deserve this hamper from heaven?

F&M has put it out for one year only - to celebrate their 300th anniversary. This is no ordinary gift basket, friends. This one comes stacked with foie gras, truffles, vintage port, cashmere socks, a bottle of Château Margaux, 1er Grand Cru Classe Margaux 1983... What else?

Champagne flutes, a fruitcake weighing in at over 15 lbs., a 5 lb. baby Stilton, Château Latour, 1er Grand Cru Classe Pauillac 1970...

The list goes on...

And the price tag? £20,000. But Santa, I'm worth it!

My new internet addiction

Cold Mud is just what I needed. A thoughtful aggregation of news and items from some of the best food sources on the net - sources that I would love to visit daily if only I had the time. But now, I don't have to worry.

Self-described as "the best food and drink writing and the latest news, reviews and gossip..." the site is brand-new and so far has an interesting collection of reading materials. Let's hope it keeps up.

The name, for the curious among you, is apparently diner slang for "chocolate ice cream."