Filled with Empty Wonder

I Love You The Purplest

2012-02-20T20:30:00.004-05:00

When most people think of February the color that comes to mind is usually red (or black if you’re unhappy with the love month). But Feb babies dream in purple.

Amethyst is the birthstone of the month---dramatic and rich with royal appeal. I’ve been in a purple mood lately with the giddy heart-felt love of the month paired with a little blue (not as in sadness, but more like regal hues) that make me want to craft in every shade of this brilliant color.

Projects of cuffs and flowers

Cuffs for the winter saying goodbye and flowers to welcome the spring. I actually made these cuffs a couple months ago (this purple thing has been going on for quite a while) and I got a lot of use out of them while we were in the mountains during the holidays. I even got to sport them at home for a couple cool dog-walking mornings. The flowers are inspirations from Nicky Epstein’s Knitted Flowers. I just love this book and there are so many fantastic ideas. I’ve spent the past few nights knitting little gems, but now what will I do with them all.

Heart Healthy Month Tip: For February, add purple fruits and veg to your menus. Sweeten things up with your sweetie when you serve blueberries, raspberries and blackberries as a dessert. Need a pick-me-up at work or in the afternoon? Grab some purple grapes. Give your heart a boost with red cabbage slaw or make a Greek salad with extra beets. Snack on a few blue (purple) corn chips or potato chips, just watch the portion and the fat. Purple and deep red fruits and veg have loads of antioxidants that not only help your heart, but also have been shown to help prevent some forms of cancers. Plus, the ingredient that makes these such an inviting hue is great for your hair and skin so pack on the purple!

Blogs I Love - Getting Crafty

2012-02-18T11:00:00.001-05:00

Blogs I Love

I don’t have a whole lot of time to cruise the Internet looking for great idea pickups. When I do get a few moments to scan through craft, food or any other sites that grab my fancy, I like to save the best ones to share with my friends and to visit later. Here are a few crafty pals I have picked up on the way.

Ellinee Design House
This is such a great site if you want to try a new craft or even order some wonderful designs from those who are the experts. I just love their paper flowers. I have had a thing for paper lately and adore how these paper petals can bring life to any occasion. Thanks to the free template, I am inspired to add some Springtime to my workspace and liven it up a bit. (Plus working in Marketing, we always have out-of-date paper samples around the office that would be perfect for transforming into flora.

Quiet Lion Creations
I love cool DIY projects, especially when they are fashion forward. I'm not the trendiest girl around, but I could always use a little pick-me-up especially this delightful bracelet, plus what a great gift idea and a way to use any leftover fabric. I also love the trapeze earrings and have decided to take up jewelry making. Thank you Allison for all your inspirations.

Keeping It Indie
Can I just say, I love Brandi! This is such a great site with things to make, inspirational interviews and just so many pictures to make the heart beat faster. So far my favorites are the printed candles, rosette bracelet, Carla Dyck photography, and oh so much more. You just have to visit the site to find out about what you’re missing.

The Cheese Thief
Not only is this one of the best names for a blog (or anything for that matter), but I just couldn’t help getting caught up in all the great ideas found here. Since I am on a jewelry kick, I just couldn’t pass up this beaded ring. And that was only the beginning, how about this wonderful Birthday decoration – perfect for cupcakes and cake.

Maggie Makes
These pictures caught me.

Heart Healthy Month Tip: Making new friends, learning new things and creating something always makes the heart happy.

Random Acts of Kindness Day

2012-02-17T11:00:00.000-05:00

This is Random Acts of Kindness week according to the Random Acts of Kindness website. Every day can be a Random Act of Kindness Day, it’s pretty easy. The website contains a load of ideas from making donations to your favorite charities, helping an elderly person or a person in need in your community, volunteering to read to a child or a senior citizen, paying the toll for the person behind you, making cookies for your class or for the office just because.

What are you going to do today as your Random Act of Kindness?

I thought about making mini cheesecakes, but I’ve been sick all week so I don’t want to share my coodies with others. Instead I am starting a month-long project of creating 8” x 8” knitted squares to be used to make patchwork blankets for AIDS orphans in Africa. I plan on making 30 squares by the end of March. If you want to participate, check out the website and sign up to make a difference---in any way you can.

Heart Healthy Month Tip: This is a gimme---do something kind for someone today and your heart will thank you for it.

A Monthly Bundle of Joy

2012-02-16T11:00:00.001-05:00

I discovered Birchbox.com in November thanks to Janel. It was love at first site and after my first box arrived in the mail, I subscribed for another 12 months and have loved pretty much everything I’ve received. So far my favorites have been:

Zoya nail polish (this polish has staying power and comes in so many colors from these muted tones to bright gemstone hues that really excite your fingers)

Benefit the Porefessional (I wear this under my makeup everyday for a flawless look. The little tube I received in December has lasted until just last week, amazing what a little dab will do)

Harvey Prince Ageless Perfume (a sweet smell of pink grapefruit that makes every day have a fresh appeal)

Stila eye liner (great color and great product, no more drugstore eyeliners for me, this one never causes any irritation and the color stays true all day).

It’s also such a great thing to come home from a hard day at work and find a little package of goodness on the doorstep with so many fun things to try inside.

Heart Health Month Tip: Do something nice for yourself. It’s easier to take good care of yourself when you feel great. A little gift for your favorite Valentine (yourself) should never be a second thought.

Getting to the Heart of it

2012-02-15T14:37:00.003-05:00

I have been away for oh so long, but I am back again. The world sort of tail spinned for me with Finn’s passing, work going crazy, the holidays and then trying to learn to breathe again, but now I am back to what I love.

Did ya miss me? Well no need for a broken heart. In fact, February is National Heart Month and I am celebrating by taking special care of the ticker. Have you checked your ticker lately? The American Heart Association suggests checking out the My Life Check tool on their website. I did it and found that I am a bit over 50% with a lot of good habits while still having a lot of room for improvement.

What about you?

Sometimes it’s the littlest changes that make the biggest impact. And it’s it worth keeping yourself happy and healthy since there are so many wonderful surprises that could pop up anytime!

Heart Healthy Tip for Today: Before I sit down to watch TV or a movie or get a few pages of reading in, I take a long walk, usually with Polly. This way I get it in before the excuses start and I feel so much better for the rest of the evening.

A Solemn Moment

2011-09-18T08:23:00.003-04:00

I have been absent from blogging, and from life, do the passing of my beloved baby boy, Finnegan. Last week we had to say good bye and let God take him back to heaven. Through the past 1,000 days – to be exact – Finn has been one of the most precious spirits in my life. His short life had several downs from his illness, but a lot of ups from the unconditional love those around him bestowed upon him. But his body was failing and it would have been cruel to keep him alive any longer. He did not suffer, and even jumped on Paul and I, licking our faces and being giddy when we went for that last visit to the vet. Though I knew hope was gone when he became tired very quickly (from not eating for 2 days) and needed to rest in my arms.

We have had an emotional couple weeks, and have focused on the kids we still have, Polly and Millie. Polly and I are becoming closer and we’re there for each other. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel that ache in my heart and the wave of loneliness, but I know for the first time since he came into my life, Finn is in perfect health now.

Thank you to all my friends who have sent cards and flowers, brought by food and listened to me cry from this incredible pain, especially Guy, Chris, Miss Patty, and Bill and Sue. I would be lost without you. Finn was not “just a dog”, in fact I don’t think any canine is “just a dog”. They are precious little souls that God chooses to share with us so that our lives will be more complete and fulfilled. I love you Mr. Finn and miss you very much.

A Better Me: In just 1,000 days, Finn’s presence in my life changed my world. Taking his great example of striving to be healthy, being connected to God, showing unconditional love and making my heart sing, I will spend the next 1,000 days honoring his spirit in action and being a better me (and mommy to Polly and Millie.)

National Beheading Day - Heads Will Roll

2011-09-02T14:44:00.002-04:00

I just found this so interesting. This is not really a national holiday (we here in the U.S. prefer to destroy others politically through rhetoric, not actual loss of said head). But at one time it was a great reminder to those in power, that eventually through an act of King or people they could lose it all from the top down.

It really is a gruesome way to go. Famous people known for not escaping the executioner are Anne Boleyn who’s husband was kind enough to have a master swordsman do the deed that was only brought to fruition due to trumped up charges (the others who died at Henry’s hands weren’t so lucky and had an ax and sometimes a very drunk axman who missed a few times maiming the poor souls before they died.)

Of course there was the King and Queen of France and many of their court who fell victim to progress and the guillotine. (A current interest – not the beheading of nobility at the common peoples’ hands, the time period since I am reading Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran).

Oh and from previous reads, there’s the beheading of Ptolemy brother of Cleopatra by Caesar’s rival and friend, who hoped to make Caesar a closer ally. This act drove the Emperor closer to the arms of Cleo and a disaster for them all.

People used to view these as the American Idol of the day, and I'm sure if we still had public executions, some still would (Makes me think of the 80s TV show Max Headroom and the gruesomeness, but I digress again.) They would make a day of it bringing along food to eat and wine to drink as all the distressing merriment drove the crowd into a frenzy. I couldn't imaging what I would eat or drink at one of these if I had to attend (if was considered inappropriate for a citizen not to attend, meaning you were not supportive of said King's decision and you could be the next on the chopping block).

So whatever you do today, don’t lose your head.

A Better Me: Mind – remember no matter how stressful it is or hopeless it seems, I won’t lose my head about it.

National Self Improvement Month

2011-09-01T18:29:00.003-04:00

It’s a billion dollar business and I have donated my fair share to it over the years. It seems like everyone is trying to improve themselves in some way (and those who say they are perfect are either the men on Millionaire Matchmaker or Mary Poppins). Either way, I don’t fit into these categories, so I am always looking to improve me.

This month is focused on self improvement from the baby steps (cuss less, lose 5 pounds, be on time) to the monstrous (venture to lose 50 pounds, replant the entire garden, get rid of all the unused junk in my house).

For me, it’s like AA says, “Just one day at a time.” So this month’s goal is to improve myself in little ways each day and see what sticks for the long run.

A Better Me: Using the body, mind and soul approach, I will kick off this month with a little step to losing pounds: Two puppy walks a day to get me trimmer and give them more time to explore all the pee spots in the neighborhood.

What would you like to improve?

Cruisin’ for Crafts

2011-08-22T19:34:00.003-04:00

It’s both energizing and relaxing (at the same time) to peruse the wonders of the Internet looking at what brilliant creations people have made and getting inspired to make some of my own wonders.

I fell in love with this pillow. What a cute puggy. And the chair is fabulous as well.
http://loveatfirstblush.blogspot.com/2011/08/in-her-closet-suns-sunny-apartment.html

Plywood art – this gave me thoughts of doing my own version of St. Pete
http://www.freshhomeideas.com/diy-projects/craft-projects/how-to-make-easy-plywood-art

I don’t have an iPhone, yet, but I just fell in love with this cross-stitch iPhone case.

Yet, another knitting project that I just must make at Pumpkinbelle.

More Flowers: I have set myself the goal of learning how to crochet this year. I can knit so how hard can crocheting be? Anywhoo, Here is a beautiful flower pattern I would love to try.

Happiness Happens Month: I just feel so happy when I discover something new and know that I can be just as inspiring to someone else.

Everything's Getting Smaller

2011-08-16T18:01:00.002-04:00

I’ve been in the process of downsizing whether shoes, books, records or magazines, it all has to go. This took on a life of its own when it came to the cooking magazines. I have hundreds of magazines and even more pages and pages of printed recipes to store on my computer and recycle the paper.

When I was off my feet, I started cataloging these tens of thousands of recipes which gave me the opportunity to relive the desire to cook up a storm. Since most of my mags are Cooking Lights, I was able to easily store more than a decade of culinary wonders on myrecipes.com. It’s so handy and easy to catalog each recipe in multiple categories, make a menu, and even make and edit a shopping list (this is Paul’s favorite since it organizes the list into categories like “dairy” and “produce” making it so much easier to do the shopping)

Now as I go through the mags and save recipes, I can add them to a variety of menus for upcoming weeks and organize another little bit of my life. Plus, I can cook more and shop less.

Tonight’s culinary experience is a little Thai number I saw in an issue from a couple years back. Something I had dog eared twice and never made. Until now. Coconut Curried Chicken. The recipe is simple, and I even substituted brown rice of the couscous (I’m not a big couscous person, unless it’s Israeli couscous). This is one of those quick meals that as the rice cooks, the rest of the meal comes together. I added some steamed broccoli and some fresh tomatoes from my Dad’s garden to make it all work (in a healthy way).

What a colorful and lush dish, I need something equally delightful to drink: raspberry lemonade with iced green tea and a splash of raspberry soda water! Now the perfect spot to dine: outside of course. The lemonade tea helps the humidity seem less like a pest and the flavor and scents along with the sounds of frogs and birds makes me feel like I am in Thailand, and I didn’t even need to use my passport.

What I learned from this recipe?

Keep the rice to a half a cup, the sauce and chicken are so flavorful you’ll never miss it.

Happiness Happens Month – Taking time to make myself a healthy and delicious meal makes me happy. It’s a boisterous happiness as my comments while eating sound an awful lot like other forms of ecstasy.

Pucker Up Sweetie

2011-08-15T18:50:00.003-04:00

Oh joy another foodie celebration and it has one of my favorite ingredients: Lemons. And, instead of pie, I found an awesome recipe for Lemon Meringue Pie Ice Cream – oh pure joy!!!

Happiness Happens Month Quote – “Ice-cream is exquisite - what a pity it isn't illegal.” –Voltaire

A Doggie Day

2011-08-14T18:37:00.004-04:00

I love spending a day with the kids. I am definitely one of those dog people who see their pups as their kids, not just pets and love spending time just with them. This morning, I took Polly and Finn up to the Fort DeSoto Dog Park and let them run around for a while and meet new friends.

As you see they made themselves pretty tired and snoozed the rest of the day.

National Win with Civility Day

2011-08-12T09:15:00.000-04:00

Sort of goes along with Happiness Happens Month doesn’t it?

As Ogden Nash put it:

Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right, shut up.

No matter what Charlie Sheen thinks, it’s not all about WINNING! And when it is, then best to do it in a nice way. With the lack of real confidence that many people have today, it would be so easy to win being a meany. But why make yourself look bad?

Happiness Happens Month – It always makes me feel happy to treat others with respect instead of getting angry or frustrated. Which is sometimes why “work” is called “work”.

It Always Seams Like Something Else

2011-08-10T11:45:00.003-04:00

And it is something else. The latest sewing repurposing adventure is taking a pair of capris that don’t fit and fashioning them into a beautiful handbag. I used this Simplicity pattern, the one resting on the teal chair. I am still learning to read patterns and figuring out stitches so it’s not perfect, but I really do love it. I also couldn’t help making it my own by changing up the handles and instead of using trim, I made tabs and attached these cool handles to the bag.

Deconstruction Time – sorry I don’t have a picture of the pants whole

I took the seams out of the inside leg and crotch of the pants, removed the cuffs and took out the pockets. It’s a great activity for a rainy afternoon when you’re watching TV since it is slow going, but can be done in an hour or two. I used each leg for the front and back body of the bag and the pockets for the gussets. The cuff was fashioned into tabs. The lining was some gold satin I had acquired more than 4 years ago from a wash sample. The handles and flower are sale pieces from Joann’s.

My final verdict: Love it! Total cost of bag: $4.00 (fabric: free since they were well-worn as pants; lining: $.25; handles: $2.25; flower: $1.50.

Happiness Happens Month: Happiness Happens when you give yourself the permission to be happy and enjoy the process just as much as the outcome – Me.

It's Panini Month

2011-08-08T19:02:00.001-04:00

A couple years back cheesemaker Sargento declared August Panini Month. Yes, I know it’s a commercial ploy to sell more cheese, though I personally don’t need any advertising to get me to indulge in dairy goodness.

I wanted to get in on the celebration but had two hindrances: I don’t own a Panini maker and I don’t have any recipes off the top of my head. I suppose a Panini is sort of like a fancy grilled cheese sandwich and I have a few favorite combinations. But what about the maker?

I do have a grill pan and a brick. Voila or the Italian equivalent! So now I just need some cool recipes and Sargento has that covered for the entire month.

I decided on to go what I had on hand: Grilled Vegetable and Cheese Panini (otherwise known as what’s left over to make into a sandwich). It was delicious and I could have gone back to seconds, but I held out for tonight and will have another one for lunch tomorrow.

Patricia’s Lemon and Herb Bread

1 cup water with the juice of one lemon
1/8 cup bacon drippings

1/8 cup olive oil (I used the lemon olive oil I got from Kalamazoo Olive Oil Company and held off on the juice and zest)
1 tsp salt
1 TBSP sugar
2 TBSP mixed dried herbs and lemon zest
3 cup flour
1 TBSP yeast
-Additional olive oil & herbs, kosher salt for toppings

Use bread machine dough cycle per machine instructions. I put it into a loaf pan and brushed the top with olive oil Sprinkle top with kosher salt & additional herbs. Cover with clean/dry dish towel & let rise 30-40 minutes. Oven at 375 degrees and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.Since I used the lemon olive oil, I didn’t need to add the extra lemon. It had the same great taste, just a touch different, but perfect for a Panini.

Happiness Happens Month – Love trying something new and having it turn out so beautifully. And then sharing it with someone I love just as much.

The Other Boleyn Girl

2011-08-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

I may be late to the party, but it was recently suggested to me that I may appreciate The Other Boleyn Girl book. Janel was very excited about this tome and even though it had the appearance of not being for me, it definitely was.

Being a history buff and also loving a good love story (not those sappy ones), plus enjoying books that are well written, I fell in love with this book. For the past week, I could barely put it down and even missed valuable sleep hours being drawn into the web of Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary. As time for us to part approached, I was still held in its sway and Netflixed the movie which after reading the book fell short of the mark. Now I have had my Tudor fix for a while from the history podcasts, the Tudor TV show, all the Elizabeth movies and documentaries and now this. Great fun!

Next on the list, another Janel suggestion: Nefertiti by Michelle Moran.

Happiness Happens Month Quote – “Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.”-Groucho Marx (This quote always makes me smile.)

International Beer Day

2011-08-05T19:07:00.005-04:00

A little El Salvadoran number I picked up to go with our Latin dinner!

No, I didn’t make this up. Here is the official website, and if it has an official website, then you know it’s for real.

How does one celebrate such an auspicious occasion? I stopped by my friendly neighborhood Shep’s Market (you never would have known it was such a great place to get beer) and chose a few varieties to enjoy for the weekend (when a holiday is this good why only celebrate one day?!)

How did you celebrate International Beer Day?

Happiness Happens Month – Why am I so happy today? It’s Friday, there’s beer, I’m at home with my honey and feeling so content (not necessarily in that order).

Fear Factor

2011-08-03T16:47:00.004-04:00

Fear is a powerful thing. It can stop you in your tracks even when you so desperately want to move forward. From another’s perspective, your fear may seem silly. Fear of flying, of insects, of mother in laws all seem like small blips to me, yet to others these are mortifying paralyzing fears. I admit, I have many fears and they have shaped my life for both good and bad. My biggest fear right now isn’t a gray hair or wrinkle, the future or loss. My mortal enemy that stops me in my tracks is my sewing machine.

I have been so afraid of my sewing machine, but I have met my fears head on letting the critic inside me have her say and still moving on. Through frustration, disappointment and even a few curing matches with the machine, I prevail a little more every day. In fact, giving myself permission to make mistakes and not be perfect, yet still trying (and retrying) my best, I am winning this fear factor battle.

My latest step to conquering my fear has been repurposing a pillowcase. I was inspired by Betz White, but Penny Carnival has a cool idea too using a real pattern. My sewing machine is a pretty basic model, so I couldn’t adjust the bobbin tension to use elasticized thread. Instead I used ½” elastic along the top and under the bustline to create sort of an empire waist. I was so proud of myself adding the ribbon trim and getting the hems straight, even though it isn’t perfect. I tapered the bust area and left the bottom wider to fit my curves. The flower is from Joann’s (on sale) and was just too cute to pass up.

This was my second attempt and something I really enjoy. With each experiment, I am getting more confident with my sewing and falling in love with the items I make and the skills I am acquiring. I am starting to love my sewing machine and respect its power. Next fear to conquer … snorkeling (I get all claustrophobic).

Happiness Happens Month Quote - Sewing mends the soul (and makes me very happy). ~Author Unknown

What Makes You Happy? – Happiness Happens Month

2011-08-02T19:19:00.000-04:00

Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy---Anne Frank

For instance, lovable puppies and all the joy they bring. Happy 3^rd Birthday to my little Millefiori!

I just had to pull in another Anne Frank quote for the
Secret Society of Happy People’s Happiness Happens Month. The Society has declared the three following purposes for this month:

Recognize and express happiness
Listen to others talk about their happiness
Don’t rain on other people’s parades

We all may feel a little challenged by happiness, but this would be a great time to make a conscious effort to be happy. I used to feel that happiness was something that hinged on outside forces and it was a goal, not really a state of living. For the past couple of days, I’ve been thinking about happiness and believe that for me, happiness is that wonderful time when I am truly content with the here and now. I put aside the chatter that says, “I’ll be happier when I have more money (time, love, things, health, drama, less weight, etc.) When I did this, I realized I am a pretty happy person.

So my goal is that each day when I meditate, I will focus on something that makes me very happy and content in my life. What makes me happy today: Knowing that I am already very happy.

A Bundle of Contradictions-Anne Frank’s Final Diary Entry- August 1, 1944

2011-08-01T20:33:00.002-04:00

Anne wrote her final entry feeling the weight of discovering her growing personality. She distinguishes the “nice Anne” that is quiet and thoughtful inside from the “superficial Anne” that is so boisterous on the outside. This contradiction, as she sees it, is confusing and she wants these two sides of her personality to come to terms.

What she thought of as a contradiction, was merely a growing personality. We all have those sides that we show and those that we keep hidden or private for ourselves. This entry is a great reminder that when we make judgments about people, we need to really take a deeper look, or better yet, just allow ourselves to be open to understanding and accept whatever others want to share. It’s not that one is bad or good, we are just human beings.

I have read Anne’s diary more than 10 times and today I feel the urge to read it yet again. When I visited her house in Amsterdam, I was taken aback by the realization that her, her family and friends fought to stay alive in those walls and that she would have been so joyous to know that the world sees both her fun and playful side, as well as the depth of her character she kept hidden from those she was in such close contact with.

I sat outside of the house by the canal and quietly contemplated the moment. This contemplation still sits with me. Not only did Anne show us a heart during such a horrendous period and her profound words live on to remind us that we can never allow this to happen again.

Her most stirring lesson to me: “Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.” I think of this often and it immediately dispels any negativity I may be feeling.

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be."

A Wonderful Weekend

2011-07-31T15:12:00.006-04:00

This has been one of the most wonderful weekends I have had in a long time. Just take a look.

The trio of misfits after a muddy morning at the dog park. Finn is very disappointed in the outcome of events.

Memories soon washed away from Saturday morning's stroll on the beach.

Can the sky get any more blue or any more inviting?

Waiting for a bit of breakfast or just an egret supermodel hoping for the paparazzi to go away.

Inspiration

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike

2011-07-29T16:31:00.000-04:00

"I think [the bicycle] has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives a woman a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. The moment she takes her seat she knows she can't get into harm unless she gets off her bicycle, and away she goes, the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood." - feminist pioneer Susan B. Anthony 1896

I just love riding my bike and I know I don’t do it enough. But in so many ways biking is a great pastime and even a political tool we Susan B. Anthony shared in her quote above. Living in a pretty and bike friendly metropolitan area, I have no excuses for not getting out on two wheels. Vanity and laziness are my only pals helping neglect my bike. Too hot, too cold (really in Florida), too tired, too bored and too many excuses.

Well that is all changing. I have been making a great effort (and succeeding) in getting out on my bike. From trips to the library, to picking up one or two items from the store to just to see the sites around my town, I’ve pedaled my way around the streets of St. Pete. Sometimes we go down to the beach and have brunch or just go on adventurous excursions along the trails. And, every time I am taking a ride I wonder “I love this, why don’t I do this more often?”

When I discovered that we were once forbidden to glide around on two wheels, I was amazed (but then again, I sort of take for granted all the rights women in America have today).

So ladies, for Feminism’s sake, get on your bikes and ride!

To get some more information about how women on bikes changed their role in America, listen to the Stuff Mom Never Told You podcast How did women pedal their way to emancipation?

Today's Inspiration - LV in NYC

2011-07-27T15:15:00.003-04:00

New York just inspires everyone in some way, shape or form. I have so many photos of the city, but LV’s photos are just amazing and make me miss the city even more. She has some pretty cool crafty ideas as well. You should check her out!

Baby It’s Hot Outside. How ‘bout a little bistro flair

2011-07-25T19:15:00.002-04:00

Sometimes it’s the simple things that really make the greatest impact and give me the most joy. Tonight that simple thing is Quiche. Rich, creamy, healthy and full of color, we are celebrating French independence from the monarchy with a Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche (inspiration taken from Cooking Light).

* 2 teaspoons olive oil

* 1/2 cup vertically sliced onion

* 1 garlic clove, minced

* 6 cups broccoli florets

* Cooking spray

* 1 1/4 cups fat-free milk

* 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

* 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

* salt and pepper

* 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

* 4 large egg whites, lightly beaten

* 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

* Grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350°.

Sauté the onion and garlic; 1-1/2 minutes. Add broccoli; sauté 1 minute. Spread broccoli mixture into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Combine milk and next 8 ingredients (milk through eggs) in a large bowl. Pour milk mixture over broccoli mixture (I love the way the broccoli sort of floats in the creamy eggs). Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until top is golden and a knife inserted in center comes out clean; let stand 5 minutes.

I prefer to serve this with a baby green salad with vinaigrette and a glass of white wine and make it bistro-ish or you can make it more like breakfast with toast and juice.

It's Just Like Starting Over

2011-07-15T19:49:00.000-04:00

I’ve spent the past couple of months thinking about what I really wanted to say on this blog. I read several blogs from some very insightful, humorous and talented people, and this inspired me to stop being so willy nilly in my approach to spending this time with you.

I admit, I was sort of all over the place with stories of my life, recipes I enjoyed, people I love and a host of other topics. What most of these seemed to signify, were joyful moments in my life that I wanted to share. So nothing really has changed, since I will continue to share those joyful things. What did change is a little behind the scenes, things like my attitude toward these things, and the respect of being joyful and grateful for them.

Fridays are always joyful for so many reasons:

· Last day of a grueling work week

Working as a writer is not physical labor nor rocket science, but by Friday afternoon I am ready to just be done with it for a few days.

· Time to hang out with cool, creative types

My week days are filled with corporate America while my evenings and weekends invite creative musings from friends, folks and other fabulous types.

· Inspiration replaces motivation

I was recently told the differences between these two words: Inspiration comes from others (for me in books,films, recipes, blog musings and thoughts) while motivation comes from within (to get through another week.)

· More time to spend with my sweetie and my puppies

That really says it all. It’s a love fest.

· Looking forward to incredible possibilities

Whether it’s sleeping in, watching the sunset, seeing a great film, finishing a crafty project or book, or just connecting to God, the possibilities starting Friday after 5 p.m. are endless.

Some inspiring blogs that have caught my fancy:

· For a laugh: Unhappy Hipsters

· A necklace I want to make found on kojodesigns

· Inspiration to learn how to embroider or get my machine to do the work from Urban Threads

· What will I have as a special “Just Me” meal or maybe something to share is cooking up at Smitten Kitchen

· Some inspirational reading with Dr. Dyer

Why I Love Wednesdays!

2011-05-04T17:09:00.006-04:00

This is a photo I took outside of the Louvre in Paris on a rather fabulous Wednesday.

I figured I would start with an easy one … I love Wednesdays because I get to work from home. This invites a whole plethora of gratitude.

Firstly, workwise I get so much done when I don’t have all in the interruptions, fires to put out and other little distractions.

It’s a very enjoyable atmosphere with puppies playing or snoozing, the comfort of my favorite chair or couch, getting to see the sun (or rain) outside and when I am on my feet, even venturing outside to work when the weather permits.

I appreciate getting to sleep in on Wednesdays though it is only for an extra 45 minutes or so, but rising to my own clock instead of to the alarm makes a world of difference in my morning attitude. With the commute being feet instead of miles and being able to write in my jammies, the serene atmosphere carries throughout the day and gives me a greater sense of well being.

My hour lunch breaks are real breaks with a quick shower, maybe a dog walk, eating something freshly made and catching up with last night’s episode of the Beekman Boys.

Those moments that most people take at the office for smoke breaks, chat breaks or just getting away from the desk breaks transform at home into petting a kitty or puppy break, prepping veggies for dinner break or reading a short chapter break.

When the work day is done, I feel like I really accomplished something instead of the scramble to recall what I have to do tomorrow as I shut down my workspace. This translates through Thursday as I know I am a bit more vibrant in mind and body as I conquer the next day's tasks.

Wednesday evening is more invigorating as well with a bike ride or dance class after work and a wonderful meal to treat myself.

Sometimes I wish I could work from home every day, but I know that I would get bored without the social aspect of being in an office or around coworkers. I tried it before and became very lonely and a bit uninspired, plus looking forward to Wednesday is wonderful anticipation.

Why do you love Wednesday?

A Day of Gay Care

2011-04-11T12:30:00.001-04:00

Even though Paul is the love of my life, sometimes a girl just needs to go to Gay Care.

Paul attended a conference on Friday and he didn’t want to leave me on my own, which is good since I would go stir-crazy hopping to make a meal or two. Our first choice? Guy. And, he was more than happy to babysit while Paul was gone.

Me: Would you mind coming over on Friday to babysit me while Paul is out of town?

Guy: Should I bring a wheelchair to go to Georgie’s?

Yes, that is the man I love. More than dual alcoholics, we have been friends for 20 years now and through all those ups it comes down to a cocktail and a heart-to-heart talk.

It was a pretty average day with me working and Guy napping with the puppies. He shared tales of Austin and SXSW . I bombarded him with my latest obsession – The Beekman. We both loved JKP’s first book – in fact, it is one of Guy’s favorites, and I had just finished Bucolic Plague so there was a lot to talk about. Plus we had four episodes to watch on-demand which went like this:

Person speaks on TV

Guy: What’d they say?

Me: (repeating what they said)

This goes on for about every other line even when I turn the TV up. I forgot how fun it was to watch TV with Guy. At least it wasn’t a British show or all hope would have been lost.

In the evening we ventured to the hospital to see Michelle. She looked so weak and yet graceful knocked out in her bed. Guy just looked weak as hospitals are not the best places for him to visit. Instead of a happy hour at Georgie’s, the evening was a bit more somber with multiple toasts per glass to the Principessa and recalling different adventures. She is quite a fighter.

Home before sunset and not that much worse for wear, I tried explaining Under the Tuscan Sun to my deaf companion who repeatedly stated – “It looks like a horror film” (We were at the big storm part when the washing machine gets struck my lightening).

Paul returned and Guy passed the responsibility of hobbling me to him so he could get home to Randy. Though years ago, like five, Guy and I would have roared through Georgie’s and spent what cash we had on anything that advertised vodka, we have both come to see some more important things in life. I dare say, we’ve grown up a bit. A couple cocktails and home to the men we love. What a perfect evening.

Note: Georgie’s changed their menu and I don’t know if I like it. There are more options and a trendy martini selection, but I liked the old staples – I guess Guy and I aren’t the only one’s growing up.

Spring has Sprung Bring on the Heat

2011-04-07T14:28:00.001-04:00

Being laid up with only one working lower appendage has given me a case of cabin fever. Paul is so worried I will hurt myself (I already tripped and slid across the floor once – damn loose rugs) that he only lets me out for doctor visits. I think this also gives him some much-needed time to be by himself which I respect.

But after whining about getting just a few moments of fresh air, he relented and helped me wobbled around the backyard (sans puppies) so I could at least take a few pictures and experience Spring (it goes so fast in Florida you have to catch it before it’s over).

My aloe was one of the first to go haywire. I love the underwater, sea creature quality of these coral flowers. They seem dusted a bit to give my eyes the impression that they are submerged. I have some yellow ones out front getting ready to bloom, but I’m not allowed out front right now (too muddy and uneven for clumsy me).

The pinky azaleas are one of my favorites and I love walking through my neighborhood in early spring seeing how they line otherwise green shrubbed driveways and windows with a range of hues from white to red to pink and even purple. I just love how they wake up the world and let us know that spring his on its way – like our own little gopher weather meter.

I’m not sure what these flowers are called, but I just love their bright orange color against their dark green vineyness (not a word before today). This was actually a clipping I took while taking the dogs for a walk. I often get inspired by the plants my neighbors have and pick a stray one here or there or take a clipping when no one’s around. I may be a plant criminal to some, but I like to think of myself as similar to a bird or a bee, I just don’t have to poop to spread the joy.

Another find while out on a walk, an abandoned home and these growing like crazy on the corner, perfect for the picking. Just stuck them in dirt and voila purple flowers that just love to keep moving. Can’t ask for much more.

Michelle Note: Things are getting better. She sat up today and spoke a bit. Now she’s resting again. Love you Mich.

To My Principessa

2011-04-06T16:33:00.001-04:00

Michelle is Madonna in the middle, with Michelle S the headbanger on her right and me, the Valley Girl on the left

My friend Michelle was injured last night while working at the Ray’s game. She fell on metal steps outside the production truck and damaged her brain and skull. They are thinking she will be in ICU for a week. But I have faith that she will be fine. She is a very strong woman and a great friend. Please add her to your prayers – we all love her very much.

I Love When Books Make You Think

2011-04-05T13:57:00.001-04:00

A Rose Paul painted for me as a Christmas present. It inspires me each day.

I’m back at work this week (from my kitchen table) and actually happy to be so. I have also moved on to Josh Kilmer-Purcell’s next book The Bucolic Plague. I love this one too, but in a completely different way. Where I’m Not Myself conjured up some weird memories of my own escapades and intoxications, Bucolic Plague is a peaceful meditation of growing up, but not old.

And as Josh was inspired in his brush with the O goddess (Oprah), I too have taken some moments to think about Living My Best Life. This is, of course, on top of watching my friends like Wendy and Renee do just that. Plus, Guy has been an inspiration for years living each moment to its fullest. It also helps that the past few weeks have been filled with chatter between Paul and I of what we are going to do next like possibly moving and combining our habitats.

And like Josh, I too am stuck in the ad game for now. I like coming up with catchy headlines and promising growth and everything short of miracles, but sometimes it seems like work is an advertisement within itself and we all are marketing our worth trying to get people to buy it. Unlike Josh, I am not an overachiever, choosing instead to take the slow and steady path with bits of excitement in between.

Paul would never agree to a farm in a small town and I don’t think I could raise animals only to kill them (though I do think this is the most humane way to eat meat and I will pay the organic grocer to do it for me), I do like the idea of spending a whole day canning my own veggies, making muffins and knitting new designs. Of course, to live at even the simple level I am accustom to, I would need to make a decent living wage.

But that aside, what can I do to Live My Best Life now? Stay positive, pray and meditate, believe in my dreams of one day doing what I love (making muffins, knitting, sewing and writing) full time in a happy and loving home with Paul and all of our 4-legged kids. That’s not too much, quite doable I think.

How are you Living Your Best Life?

No foolin'

2011-04-01T11:39:00.002-04:00

From running around for more than a month like a chicken with my head cut off, I have had the past week to slow down and take in the beauty of the world one inch at a time. Why an inch - well crutches have slowed me down. Last week I had much-needed and procrastinated upon surgery on one foot which has me hobbling for the next couple months. This past week was the worst as I slept throughout the day (thanks to great pain meds) and worked tirelessly to not be too much of a pain to Paul. He has been the best taking care of me, the kids and the house all with a smile and a response to my thank yous of "my pleasure". Within the week on my back and foot elevated I have had the chance to actually read a book, watch all of the last season of Mad Men and tear apart 4 attempts at knitting projects. The book to keep me entertained is I Am Not Myself These Days by Josh Kilmer-Purcell
I got turned on to Josh by Chris who is a fan of the Fabulous Beekman Boys - as I am too. During the marathon of last season to promote the new season, Josh had a book reading and they showed the cover of his book with a gold fish and acid-inspired turquoise concentric circles. The cover was familiar as I recalled it resting on Guy's coffee table from years past. I don't know why I never picked it up and read it, but it just wasn't the right time. Now it all was a full gay circle. I thought it may be a good read for the week I was laid up and it was though I do wish it was longer. It's Josh's memoir about being a young drag queen in New York during the club kid hay days of the 90s. Reading his words then and seeing how messed up his life was and comparing it to the farm-owning, advertising firm partner and all around put together guy he is on the show is surreal. But then again, many of us would not be recognized today by those who saw us as 25 year olds. There were a lot of emotions conjured up in reading this tome from laughing to feeling sorry for the characters' addictions, from wanting to drink a couple vodkas or champers to wanting to never drink again, from envisioning the dirtiest apartment ever on Avenue A to seeing how Guy was inspired by the all white highrise on the Upper East Side. It was a fabulous romp and makes me wonder if I will ever write a memoir. Doubtful since my life hasn't been so exciting.

Mardi Gras C’est Magnifique!

2011-03-08T21:09:00.000-05:00

I love holidays – especially when there is food involved. Usually Mardi Gras is a feast of mostly the libation variety to be given up for 40 days starting on Wednesday. I didn’t want to fill my evening with preparing a menu suited for a king, so instead I looked beyond the regular fare and challenged myself to either go healthy or go hearty: A healthy Creole shrimp dish I can whip up at home or a muffaletta sandwich from Mazzaros (is it wrong to get a muffaletta from an Italian deli instead of a Cajun restaurant?) Hunger wanted to win out with the sandwich, but instead I made the shrimp, and it was the right choice! So much flavor and so guilt free, this is a go-to recipe from now on! My inspiration: This recipe from Food and Wine.

My rendition of Creole Shrimp

1lb peeled and deveined large shrimp

2 cloves garlic-minced (I used a microplane)

2TBSP Emeril’s Essence Seasoning

1 Bell Pepper-diced ( I used a cubanelle since it is what I had on hand)

1 Lemon and half a grapefruit (juice from both and zest from lemon

Handful of cilantro-chopped

2TBSP Oiive Oil

In a bowl, combine the shrimp, garlic, Essence, pepper and zest. Heat the oil to medium high and add shrimp cooking until almost pink. Add in the juices, stir then the cilantro and stir again removing from the heat. I let them sit for a couple minutes for the juices to make a sauce and serve. I like my just is with a side salad. Be prepared, it’s love at first sight. I would also suggest making extra sauce with the juice and oil if you are serving this with rice or noodles. Or some yummy bread to soak up the sauce.

Ruffling Up My Wardrobe for Winter and Summer

2011-03-05T21:14:00.000-05:00

Fashion maven, Heidi sporting the most alluring design of the season!

The Saturday Morning Market in St. Pete is the place to be on said morning, especially for needle crafters. There is an amazing alpaca yarn vendor (whose name escapes me) with supple yarn and incredible already-made design. Most of them were crochet, which I still can’t seem to grasp, but one in particular interested us: A swirled scarf in a beautiful mocha brown. The scarf was only a couple inches wide cascading in swirls around and down the wearer’s neck. Both fashionable as a ruffled neckline and practical in its warmth, this scarf was the best of both worlds and I just had to learn how to make one for myself.

I searched online for a similar design, finding Curly Whirlies ( a very cool site), a Lion Brand design (I used this one, don’t let the picture fool you) and this one from It’s A Stitch Up (which had way too many stitches and rows for me, so I shortened it).

I made my first ruffled scarf for Heidi as a birthday gift with lots of greens, oranges and fiery red to complement her Irish complexion, including an orange fun fur finish to really make Heidi’s hair and eyes pop. The second one on my needles was using some hand-me-down 80s-stye yarn from Lauren. A slightly mercerized cream and black yarn fashioned into ruffles and pouring down the neckline with feathery black trim on the outer edge – Divine, especially with my houndstooth coat.

With warm weather upon us, I am not daunted as I venture into my own designs with lighter-weight yarns and thinner designs. Perfect for a casual evening art walk or even as a belt with my favorite shorts. I just love versatility.

So what’s on your needles? Anything to take winter into spring?

When an Introvert is Forced to be Social

2011-03-03T18:00:00.001-05:00

By all accounts, reasonings and even personality tests, I am an introvert. I have adapted to having a social life, with choice friends, and even surprise many when they discover that my personality type is pretty much entirely in the” I” range. As an INFJ, I am an odd bird and a bit askew, but it has never hindered me in the past. But now, I am being conditioned to be a bit more social-networking kind of social. I am surrounded by Facebook followers, Twitter chirpers, LinkedIn pursuers and the like all day long. And I am the nerd among all these geeks as I ponder words on a page instead of on a screen and choose to remain on the fringe instead of knee deep in the mix. Now all that is changing as I take on social media roles at my job.

It really is an excited adventure since these are explorations I would, if left to my own devices, not have researched on my own. On the clock and in my cubicle, I can take the opportunity to find out how all of this virtual networking really works and how I can make the most of it for my company.

I have even ventured to having my own Twitter account which I use mostly for keeping up with my podcasts, mini foodie musings and interesting craft projects – you know all the things I do when I am not working which keep me from Facebooking, Twittering and even blogging like a fiend. But I am getting better, see two postings in two days, good for me!

Are you an early adapter or on the fringe like me? Is choosing to be a non-social media geek the new alternative?

Just Call Me Tippy Hedren

2011-03-02T14:00:00.001-05:00

While reading the inspirational prose of Wayne Dyer this morning, I was pulled from my chair by the symphonic chortles of the birds outside. The chaotic din made me wonder if something was wrong, or if this meant that all was right. A variety of airborne creatures from blue birds to cardinals, mocking birds to doves and black birds to monk parakeets were all vying from someone’s attention if not mine. The cacophony was almost deafening outside, but beautiful at the same time. I looked for a hawk or eagle to be the cause of this raucous, but the sky was only filled with less predatory fowl.

No birds attacked me or even seemed to be aware I was spying on them. The event was actually calming even though it was so loud and discombobulated in tone, my only fear being that I would get drawn deeper into it and miss the window to take a proper shower for work.

Anyway, after about 5 minutes it quieted down and I returned to my morning routine feeling a bit more blessed by this concert.

I still ponder what caused them to be so excited.

Warm Leatherette - The Normal

2010-12-01T07:45:00.001-05:00

A tear of petrol, Is in your eye, The hand brake, Penetrates your thigh
Quick - Let's make love, Before you die!

Life is getting back to normal and not a moment too soon. It’s almost been a week since the last visit to the pet doctor and all seems to be doing well. I am no longer breaking down each day and don’t feel my heart ripping out of my chest every time I have to leave Finn. My focus has turned back to balancing my life with work, home, kids, creativity, peace and me.

It’s nice to take care of myself for a change and to not worry about when the next shoe will drop and if it is a stiletto aimed for my heart or a steel-toed boot square in my gut. I’ve been working out regularly, eating healthy, taking time every day to be peaceful and listening to my muse. Lauren let me borrow an IKEA bag full of knitting books to inspire and enthuse me. Each day gets a few moments of knitting (and listening to my favorite podcasts).

I have three projects going with a goal to finish them up and move on to the next ones that are crying to spring from my needles. Right now, on my wee needles blooms new flower patterns for instant gratification since they take about 1-1/2 hours each. Whining on another pair of needles is a baby blanket that has so far taken about 9 months to birth into full size. Finally, the knitting bag I have been working on for months may be getting closer to being used as it was intended – though I still haven’t made up my mind about the strap.

I have a new cap design inspiration that has haunted me for a week now and I must get these previous pieces done in time for the holiday so I can empty my head and start again. There just aren’t enough hours in the day sometimes.

Then there comes the need to read, which I have put off for months and the hectic fetishness of cleaning the house for the holidays, though this year I will only be hosting Paul and the kids. It’s like an ingrained need to put things on my plate during the holiday months (which if you follow nature is really supposed to be the downtime of the year) even when there is no real need to take on so much. This Christmas is all about friendship and family since presents are out of the question and all I have to give is my company and some muffins perhaps.

But I won’t let myself get stressed (even when I have to listen to Justin Bieber chorus all day at work) since I have already had my share of stress to last for a few months at least. I promise to enjoy the season and let my creativity shine through.

Eating on a Budget Doesn't Just Mean PB&J

2010-11-29T20:42:00.001-05:00

Taking care of Finn, Polly and myself has become a chore and I have put on taking care of me for the past month. With money so tight, I am having to make some serious choices and taking time to plan a bit more, but I need to keep healthy to make this all work out in the end.

For inspiration, I spent the weekend perusing my old Cooking Light magazines for ideas and I came up with two for this week – healthy, hearty and within budget: Chiles Relleno Casserole and Mexican Chicken Stew.

For the casserole, I suggest adding a drained can of finely chopped or diced tomatoes to the beans before adding them to the casserole. It takes a little time to cook the chicken and assemble, but it’s worth it. I also let it rest for 20 minutes since it bubbled very nicely when I took it from the oven. Add a salad and it is 6 hearty portions.

For the stew, I used hominy, but in the future I will substitute corn (hominy is just weird to me, but at least I tried it), I didn’t have a jalapeno, but I added half a teaspoon of chipotle in adobo (when I open a can I freeze what’s left and spoon it out as I need it), and added a can of diced tomatoes. I was out of radishes and cilantro, but added a touch of fresh parsley and the zest and juice of one lime. I may cut back on the lime next time (and I love lime).

So two great dishes giving me 10 meals – since it is just feeding me this week and for under $20.

Being Thankful for the Simple Things

2010-11-28T15:33:00.000-05:00

I haven’t been writing much since my mind has been on other things; changes at work, Finn being sick, getting away from it all and keeping it all together. It all causes me to pause this time of year as I quiet the voices in my head and those around me to just BE and honor all the blessings that I have.

So here’s my simple list:
I am grateful that all my loved ones both two-legged and four are well at this very moment and have overcome their hardships.

I am grateful that I am very talented in many areas and this helps me do a great job at work as well as in my hobbies.

I am grateful for so many friends and acquaintances who’ve come to my aid in this time of need reminding me that it feels just as good to give as to receive.

I am grateful that we have a room over our head, food in our bellies, clothes and collars on our backs and time to enjoy them all.

I am grateful for the every changing world around me, because no matter how bad things seem to be – this too shall pass.

Amish Friendship Bread Makes Enemies

2010-10-10T08:03:00.001-04:00

If you have ever been tagged by a “friend” with a sloppy soppy bag of Amish Friendship Bread starter then you know it’s a culinary chain letter. You feel pleased at first that someone thought of you as their friend and wanted to share this started with you so you too can enjoy this luscious sweet bread. The you realize you end up with 4 batches and must bestow this “gift” on someone else, a friend who won’t be after you give it to them.

Being a foodie, I get pegged a lot for this kind of thing. Ren got me last year and I ended up giving the three subsequent bags of starter to my sisters who all threw it in the trash. This year Ted gave me some starter and I am refusing to waste it or share it unbaked with anyone. This is where math comes in handy. (Which is ironic since I was speaking with a woman who said she didn’t think it was any big deal if her child didn’t learn math since he was going to be an artist or something creative. Ren chimed in and told her that she is an artist and uses math all the time for dimensions, mixing colors and whatnot. I agreed, sharing that in cooking math is incredibly important. I just wonder about people sometimes.)

So I figured out the gram weights of the dry ingredients, divided by four and made just enough to make a couple batches to share at work and one starter for next week. The original batch I made as directed (almost – I cut the sugar and oil in half) but the second batch I played with a bit substituting butterscotch pudding for vanilla and adding in butterscotch chips. I also made them as mini muffins instead of a loaf. I just love messing with the rules.

The butterscotch was very well received at work and now I need to top it with the last batch of starter and then move on to something else. Also I don’t consider it as much a quick bread as a cake since the consistency is a bit spongey and not so dense. The sourdough starter is pretty cool though and will raise a few eyebrows when you add a cup of milk and leave it on the counter.

Is Amish Bread Really Amish? I did some sporadic investigating on the Web and nothing proves that this is really an Amish recipe. It does contain powdered pudding which isn’t all natural so I would say it isn’t all Amish either. I don’t know much about the Amish, but with a large Mennonite community in Sarasota I have learned a little and one thing is that they don’t like fake foods. I guess if you used pudding from the health food store it may pass as Amish-like.

Whether you want to take the time to make this or not, it is a delightful tasting snack and with 4 batches to work with after the 10 days, it could be a quick all-in-one for those who like to give treats during the holidays.

Important Note: Don't use metal spoons or equipment. Do not refrigerate. Use only glazed ceramic or plastic bowls or containers.

Starter

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

3 cups all-purpose flour, divided

3 cups white sugar, divided

3 cups milk

Mix the yeast and water and let it sit for 10 minutes. Pour into a gallon-size plastic zip bag. Add in the rest of the ingredients and mush together until everything is dissolved and you have a batter. This is day 1.

1 cup live yeast starter

day 1: Do nothing with the starter.

days 2-5: Squish the bag

day 6: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Stir with a wooden spoon.

days 7-9: Squish the bag

Day 10: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Stir. Take out 3 cups and place 1 cup each into three separate plastic bags. Give one cup and a copy of this recipe to three friends.

To the balance (a little over one cup) of the batter, add the following ingredients and mix well.

1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 - (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding
1/2 tsp salt

Mix and pour into two well greased and sugared bread pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

What is the Price of Happiness?

2010-08-24T06:33:00.001-04:00

I read an article a few Sundays ago in the New York Times entitled: How to Buy a Little Happiness. It really made me think about happiness and the accumulation of status and things. I am not really a status driven person. My personality type doesn’t really allow for that, though I did tell Paul the other day that my next car needs to be a cool car like a sports car, because I don’t just want to be practical. I know me, I’ll be practical – so practical that I will keep my Saturn until its death march before I get a new car.

I do like things though. I love books and trinkets and yarn of course, but even there I have scaled back a bit. The article points out that spending money on experiences makes people happier than buying things. Some men even agree with this. I love all my experiences, like traveling, so much more than what I could have spent with those dollars. Even the little events like mornings at the dog park with the kids and Paul drinking coffee and laughing is priceless.

I’ll take it as far as leaving a middle management position where I was being primed to move up in a corporation to try my hand at new things and return to my writer status. Some think I am crazy to leave the money and title behind, but I value my time and experiences more. The past 3 years have been great as I have more peace in my heart and all around me and no more work stress.

After the pet emergencies of the past couple weeks, time spent with them just being, is so much better than spent on an item I will post in a garage sale someday or a cocktail party with would-be socialites. When you have so much love like I have, this really hits home.

Paul agrees and we have decided on shared experiences for holidays and birthdays from weekends away to weekends at home from Broadway shows to pizza and a walk on the beach. Apparently the tide has turned and being debt-free, living simply, and finding peace and happiness in what you already have is cool.

The couple in the article worked their “normal” way of having things down to 100 total items. I don’t think I’ll ever get down to having a total of 100 things (Paul says he can if three are his iPhone, Mac and paints – the paints as a group count as one item).

I’m going to start simplifying by parting with 100 items each month for the rest of the year by selling, giving away or regifting them. I will also use the resources I have to make the stuff I need, like knitted bags or original designs for outfits. I already feel more at peace.

Polly Really Does Waddle (a little for now)

2010-08-22T17:25:00.000-04:00

I was just saying to someone last week---after Finn’s seizure---that at least his illness was under control with the new medicine and that the days of stress and worry about my kids was over. I should have knocked on wood.

Saturday morning started out wonderfully with me getting to sleep in an hour. Paul got up with the pups and took care of them so I could get some much needed rest. Refreshed, I said good morning to all the kids and gave Finn his morning meds. But something wasn’t quite right. Polly wasn’t trying to push Finn away from the dropper and grab the yummy liquid for herself. She’s a bully and that was odd. Instead she sat a foot away and just looked at me with hurtful eyes. Something was very wrong.

We already had an appointment for Finn at the vet so we took Polly along. I thought it was something easily treatable like a UTI or bladder infection. She was having trouble peeing and since she was the “healthy one” I never suspected anything worse. On the way to the vet, we even spoke about what else we were going to do that day.

After an ultrasound and X-Ray, Dr. Aimee told us that Polly needed surgery right away since she had stones in her bladder and was obstructed. She made the arrangements at the surgery center we would transfer her to (Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists – not Noah’s). I lost it. Thankfully Paul was there to hold me and comfort both Finn and I as I went into blaming-God mode.

He took Finn home, why stress the little boy out even more, while I waited for all the preliminary tests to be done and we skirted my little girl (who was visibly getting worse) to the surgeon. The surgery went great and they even did a biopsy of the liver since they were in there (since Finn has a hereditary disorder with his liver, the surgeon wanted to check Polly).

The other good news is that Finn is fine. He is on his meds, but no stones or crystals and a very healthy bladder. Polly gets to come home on Monday and she needs to rest, which will be a task with her pesky brother around.

Finn has handled sleeping by himself well and seems to be a bit more playful without the bull around. But he misses her too. Paul and Millie were there for us and in the stressful time of waiting to get the surgery outcome news, Paul and I did some deep-down housekeeping. He even fixed an electrical plug that was left ungrounded in my garage when the shelves were torn out replaced by a half-ass desk (but that fiasco is another story).

We’re all doing well, and the vet gave us a go for vacation with records in tow. I thank God that I have Polly and have always known that I needed her as much as she needed me. Patty and Guy put our bond into words, “If she had stayed with [her previous owner] she would have died since he would never have noticed the subtle signs of her distress. She is lucky to have you.”

I still feel like I am the luckiest one – to have them both!

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

2010-08-18T11:31:00.010-04:00

Whenever my friend Patty is met with news she doesn't want to hear about something gross, a secret she should avoid or the spoiler for a movie, she puts her fingers in her ears and repeats, "Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet." That sort of sums up my summer with a few exceptions.

Being blessed to be a writer by trade, sometimes when I get home from work the last thing I want to do is put pen to paper or turn on the computer. So I took a break from the blog, but was asked a few times - Where are you? So my vacation is over. Getting back to the chant ...

There has been a lot of baseball this summer. Paul is a big fan of the Rays so we have been to a few games and most nights involve at least a little bit of televised baseball. (See Michelle, I am checking out your work!)I was never a baseball type, but it makes him happy to share and I have my limits of giving in "No I will not go with you to The Expendables - I don't care how cool it looks." The things we do for love. I have been reading a lot - Simon Greene, H.P. Lovecraft and other bits of light reading. We have shared some movie experiences like Kick Ass - loved it; Karate Kid - not bad; Little Big Man - can't go wrong with a classic and lots of other DVD pieces. NO Twilight! I want to make that clear. I am a NO Twilight person - real vampires would wipe those sissies out! I have a whole theory about their popularity, but I will save that for another post, off my soap box for now.

I also did a lot of knitting this summer, mostly headbands and flowers. I love trying new patterns and stitches and flowers are great because they only take a few hours. I am accumulating bouquets of multicolor pansies to use as hair clips, lapel pins, T-shirt embellishments and headband accoutrements and plan on donating them to All Children's Hospital for the little girls who are turning their illnesses around. Everyone wants to feel pretty. I have also started knitting caps for the cooler months to keep them stylish and their heads warm.

With this summer's heat I do have some pretty hot dogs. Finn, Polly and Millie have been keeping cool by being indoors and destroying what they can in the air conditioned home. I admit I am a freaky dog person, but I just love spending time with them more than going out. We are even planning our real vacation with the pups included.

I am probably nuts because Finn was so sick and I don't know how long we have together and because Polly was sort of thrown away when she was young and I want her to know with me she will always be loved. There is so much to decipher here about my personality, but that also is for another entry. For now all is well and we couldn't be a happier family.

No apple pies so far, that may change with the Fall, but I did make my first pie in May with the blueberries we picked at the Blueberry Festival at the Keel and Curly Winery.

Unlike last year, this year I beat the heat by getting there at 8 a.m. Paul and I picked for about 90 minutes and ended up with almost 15 pounds of those delicious purple orbs. We made a deal that if he cleaned them all I would bake him a pie and I did. We froze a bunch and I haven't yet found a way to make a good pie out of frozen berries, but I will keep trying (I'm only sort of trying since I have been pretty good this summer getting healthier so a piece of pie from time to time is food for the soul.)

Lastly, I don't own a Chevy, but my poor Saturn had some health issues in July. Repeated visits to the shop hopefully solved everything. I want to keep this baby for a couple more years, since it's paid off and when we decide where we're moving to then I may get another, newer vehicle. We'll see.

So what did you do on your summer vacation?

For Once In My Life - The Best Movie Ever!

2010-04-16T15:12:00.003-04:00

I am not going to ramble, I have been doing that for days. Just watch the trailer and then find out if it is playing in your town. Oh and by the way ... purchase the CD.

Truth IS Stranger Than Fiction

2010-04-13T10:59:00.001-04:00

What I left out about the garage sale this weekend was the assortment of characters we encountered. I love characters; in novels, on TV and especially in person. The fun didn’t start until we were about an hour into it.

A nice old hippy guy rode up on his bicycle and perused my stash. He asked about the Rolling Stone magazines, the books and records, then was inspired to speak about the Republicans. Now, I am very left leaning, but I try to not discuss politics with strangers since I can never be sure just how strange they get and it is never nice to be the victim of friendly fire. This man went on about how the GOP should just come out and say they hate N-word and (this is where I froze and Paul looked at me for the reaction) that they should just admit to being racists. I calmed a bit. His rant continued as he spelled out his solution for the wars we are in “re-instate the draft and bring it home like they did Vietnam.” Then a rant about reality TV and the reason he rides a bike is because he refuses to pay for gas. And on it went as I moved away and helped other customers. He didn’t buy anything.

On the opposite end of the political spectrum were the recent transplants from Alaska. These folks spouted off immediately that the only reason people don’t like Sarah Palin is because she is a woman (I could give about a dozen of just my own reasons) and that no one will admit they voted for Obama now. I kept my mouth shut. They kept it up and I concluded that the older couple that was also inspecting my past were in agreement since they kept shaking their heads up and down. The Alaska people bought what they wanted (and spent the most) and were on their way, when the retirees shared that they were Obama supports and that they had a bunch of reasons to dislike the former governor.

During the day we had a couple of hard-living ladies stumble up, one shared that she had a broken hip and her eyes revealed that she was wasted, probably on pain meds. I had a feeling she could handle pain since she was tatted up something fierce on ever part of her revealed body. I didn’t want to stare, but I couldn’t make out many of the tats, though they did beg to be stared at as they crept up from the top of her low-cut shirt. While her friend meandered through my leftover things, she explained that they were going to a concert that evening. I, being the practical and sometimes dull person I am, asked if she would be OK at a concert since she was in so much pain. She laid my concerns to rest by shaking her ass and turning for a wink. I couldn’t help but laugh with her, even if they didn’t buy anything.

There was also a lady who wanted something for nothing, and I refused her. A guy who wanted only knives and guns (sorry, clean out), the VET who was so stoned he could barely walk and only wanted a coke and a flirt. Then came my rude neighbor. He comes over whenever I have a sale and it is his time to be as pretentious as possible. It is annoying, but also entertaining since I no longer have to speak to him often. D is the kind of guy who is the gay version of a kept woman. His ex-boyfriend pays for his house, pays his bills and probably sets up other guys to pay some of the costs as well. D has never worked as long as he’s lived there (which is about 5 years) and yet bitches about not having money. He refuses to get a job since to work is beneath him (his words, not mine). I have a feeling he doesn’t work because no one likes him enough to hire him.

On this occasion, D came by and checked out my record collection asking, “Is there anything good in there?” “It’s all good.” I snarkily answered. He went on in his pretentious tone that vinyl is a flawed format and that he only plays records for his friends (men he picks up on the internet) for their novelty value (I take that to be the men and the records.) Later, when we were cleaning up he came by and asked if I still had any Beatle records and I told him I sold the whole lot. It was a lie, but I just couldn’t be in his presence for another moment. He is the epitome of asshole.

So whether they bought something or not, I definitely scored big when it came to the crowd that visited my driveway. I will miss them, but I can live with that.

Confessions of a Material Anorexic

2010-04-12T13:34:00.000-04:00

Hello. My name is Patricia and I am a material anorexic. I used to be a material bulimic. I would get such a thrill from acquiring and collecting things. Then the downside came when I had to organize, place and worst of all, dust my clutter. Then I would purge little bits only to make room for more things.

As an anorexic, I am purging, but not putting anymore in. Now, if I buy anything it is something I truly could use, like a rice cooker. This weekend, I had the garage sale to end all garage sales and got rid of pretty much everything on the tables. In fact, I was giving it away. The tidbits that are left over are being donated and I’m not done yet.

My purge included a plethora of books (a lot of erotica), kitchen items (steel bowls, a deep fryer and a bread machine), clothes, collectibles (Hello Kitty), records (from Sinatra to the Beatles to the Pretenders and Sisters of Mercy), as well as candle holders, a whip and a flat panel monitor. I tried to part with my Mummy, but nobody bought him, so he’s staying.

Yesterday I went through my kitchen and have come up with two more boxes to donate. This week will be the spare bedroom and my bedroom. I figure I have about 5 or 6 more boxes to pack. It is invigorating and enlightening. But it wasn’t all pretty.

Paul was at my side, when I confessed the night before that I was getting very anxious. Tears welled up in my eyes when I told him that I was giving away the past 30 years of my life. He couldn’t understand since he is not a pack rat nor does he put much value into material items, though he does has a fabulously decorated home. He just listened as I reasoned out that things are just things and that having so much clutter only makes me more anxious and stressed. I talked myself out of it and we continued getting it all prepped.

It went flawlessly, thanks to his help. I was tempted to keep the leftovers for another sale, but he convinced me to just get rid of it all. It feels good.

But it was hard work and at 3 p.m. I was ready for a nap, but no luck. Instead we had to run a few errands, grab a quick bite and get ready for a dinner party at Mary’s. It was so worth it. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera to show you the luscious delights she prepared for us, but wow, it was great.

Each course of the night was better than the last, which was hard to believe. We started with some artisan cheeses and wine and all of us said with cracker-filled mouthfuls, “This is the best thing ever.” Then came the millet and sundried tomato cakes with pesto. More “No, this is the best thing ever.” And on it went with caramelized onion crostinis, escarole and white bean sou p(perfect for dipping the crostinis in), crispy baked zucchini and eggplant stacks with goat and provolone cheese dripping with homemade sauce, and tiramisu cream with shaved chocolate. I drank a perfectly paired Prosecco with all courses and just loved the intensity of the whole night. Even Paul liked most of it.

By the time we got home, I was exhausted and as he finished watching Round 3 of the Masters, I crawled into bed and slept the sleep of the weary. Perfect.

A Spark of Something New

2010-04-08T16:18:00.001-04:00

I discovered sparkpeople.com a few months ago when, like the rest of the dieting world, I was setting myself up for the disappointment of not losing weight. I played around a bit, but it seemed so overwhelming to learn and to do so I just let it slip by. Now I am back on the wagon, a really pretty wagon that is, and have been getting more connected and seeking support.

One of my biggest hurdles with getting healthier is the self talk and self doubt. But I am at an age that says “you need to do it now before something goes wrong.” So I am. By checking in to sparkpeople each day, I am feeling more motivated and finding that I am not alone in my quest to eat yummy foods and be healthier at the same time. Plus, not being part of the gym rat crowd, I have found that there are things to do here, there and everywhere that help me get to the place I want to be.

It’s all baby steps. This week on the “Get Healthier” agenda is waling 10,000 steps at least 5 days a week. So far I have come close (3 days into it) and yesterday I did it. How? Well, it all started by cleaning the hell out of my living room. Allergies are strong this year and my living room was crying out to be de-dusted. What I thought would take an hour turned into a 5-hour project. Everything was dusted, vacuumed and mopped until spotless. And it knocked off about 4,000 steps taking garage sale items out to the garage, and stepping back and forth as I vacuumed. Add on some strength training from moving furniture and you get a good workout and a very nice room.

Next was dog walking 3 times during the day and waiting for them to do their business. I’m getting more in the habit of walking them instead of just letting them out in the backyard since it is so nice lately. This took off another 3,500 steps.
With only 2,500 steps to go, I continued de-cluttering my home and taking all the remnants to the garage. Add in moving stuff around in the yard and finally taking a quiet walk by myself at sunset and I had 10,000 steps done for the day. Today, I am doing it again by taking short walk breaks at work (they are my non-smoking smoke breaks), getting the puppies out and about , and tonight taking a relaxing walk with my honey.

So far this is more than just a counting ritual. It has really helped me focus on the right choices and has kept me on track for drinking lots of water. And it’s not so hard.

My satisfying treat:

Chinese Chicken Salad
3oz cooked chicken breast
handful or more of lettuce
3 or 4 radishes
1 stalk of celery with the frilly top
A bit of chopped green bell pepper
¼ cup canned mandarin oranges
2TBSP of lite sesame ginger dressing

You know how to make a salad. I just love the spicy radishes mixed with the sweet oranges, lovely.

*Note: I wish I had more time to check out other fitness, health and food blogs, but I am just too busy. I keep telling Paul that he can make me a kept woman so I don’t have to work all day, but he only laughs and says he was thinking I would make him a kept man. Damn, wrong guy again – oh well I love him anyway. Do you have any you would like to share?

Shorts

2010-04-06T18:37:00.000-04:00

What does a relatively healthy 40-something foodie do when she can no longer fit into her favorite shorts and can’t stand the skin she’s in?

She re-evaluates and comes up with a new plan. I am very experienced at creating new plans. But this is a new, new plan. What makes it new? I had some new help in crafting it (instead of on my own) and I have new support to help me (Paul).

Instead of trying to keep up with my friends who are doing a million things at once and still have time to party, I am focusing solely on my health. I have been overweight all my life. When I tried to put on my favorite shorts to welcome the warm weather they didn’t fit at all, like they were a couple sizes too small. These used to be my favorites that emphasized my curves and made me feel just that much more confident. It was the last broken cheese straw.

My helpful cohort in this plan suggested I do just one thing at a time. My first translation read: Get a good weight loss plan, stick to it 100%, workout 2 hours a day, walk 10,000 steps a day, don’t drink or eat anything “bad” and also do everything else on your to-do list. I was lost.

What she really meant, in her chuckled manner, was eat more of the healthy stuff, less of the not-as-healthy stuff (about 80/20), get moving in fun ways and forgive.
The patience factor kicked in and I wanted to fit in those sleek, black shorts now, but realized that it took a while to put on these pounds and it will take a while to get them off. This was the turning point, because instead of being sad about it, I also realized that if I did make an occasional slip-up, that it wouldn’t matter since it took more than a slip-up to get me here.

So I am taking it slow. Baby steps. And I am starting with these shorts. They are a size 14 and would look great with a cute black top, a snakeskin belt, flats and my tortoise-shell look sunglasses. The perfect summer date night outfit.

I’m not stopping there. This is a 60-pound journey, but it begins with those hot shorts. Each day will be the adventure and it already has been with getting back into the flow at the gym (the elliptical for 30 minutes), eating more veggies and drinking more water, and accepting myself as I am now. It also helps to have wonderful friends and a great lover around to make you feel like you can do anything.

Note: Yes, I know it seems like I am starting over again, but this time I will stay focused. I promise.

Toasty

2010-02-22T19:41:00.000-05:00

Cooking Light magazine this month has a column focused on the many uses of apricot preserves in cooking. This inspired me. Instead of apricot preserves, what about one of my favorites, my step-mother’s homemade grape jelly? This is truly as homemade and organic as you can get since my father grows and tends to the grapes, as well as harvests them and my step mother takes it from there in the kitchen adding sugar and pectin and whatever else to can some delicious jelly. It is fabulous and I look forward to getting my yearly batch.

I love cooking with jelly and jams, but this one is a favorite since the flavor is subtle unlike commercial brands and it just adds a touch of sweetness and a hint of grapeyness to anything you pair it with, even peanut butter.

This morning the inspiration led me to do have breakfast for dinner. I haven’t been to the store yet and watching the budget has let my creative juices really flow, so I went through the fridge. What did I find? Said grape jelly, leftover Challah bread I made a week ago, eggs, butter and milk. Translated, French Toast. Really I spied all the ingredients, except the jelly at first and then noticed I was out of syrup. What’s melted jelly? Syrup. Let’s dress it up a touch and add some grapes that over have a few more days until they become moldy pre-raisins.

My Toast to Toast

2 thick slices of leftover Challah bread (or any you have handy – it can be a little hard since you will be soaking it in the egg mixture)
2 eggs
¼ cup milk
½ tsp cinnamon
About ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Dash of vanilla extract
Butter for the pan and for the toast on the plate
A large handful of seedless grapes cut in half
2 or 3 TBSP of jelly

Whisk the eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla in a bowl. If the bread is large or pretty thick, cut the slices in half since it will be easier to work with in the pan. Heat a pat of butter in the pan and when melted and hot add the dipped slices of toast. (make sure to really coat the toast with egg). Cook for as long as you see fit and turn to cook the other side to your liking ( I don’t have times since the doneness of French Toast is a personal preference.)

When satisfied move the toast to a plate and add another pat of butter to the pan. Add in the grapes and let them sauté in the butter for a couple minutes, stirring so they don’t stick or burn. Add the jam and turn off the heat. The residual heat in the pan will melt the jelly. Pour this over your toast and you have a fancy, just oh so easy dish.

To emphasize how special I thought this dish was, I lit a candle and ate by candlelight with the puppies and kitties at my feet. A warm cup of tea was the perfect accompaniment.

What inspired you this week?

Going Dutch

2010-02-20T20:48:00.000-05:00

We spent today in Sarasota among the Amish. I had heard of the Pennsylvania Dutch and learned about the Amish and Mennonites by watching films like Witness and The Devil’s Playground.

Our delving into this culture involved food of course, and I picked Paul’s brain about this group as we dined. (He teaches college level religion courses and has a degree in theology so it seemed like he would be a good source.)

We had an early supper at the Dutch Heritage, chosen because there wasn’t a long wait and the buffet interested us. Me especially since I have been on a salad kick and I really wanted some rabbit food (as my dad calls it.)

This wasn’t my first visit. We had breakfast here a few months back around Christmas time and after we filled ourselves with carb-laden delights we walked it off exploring the gift shop they have upstairs.

But this time the focus was on food. The salad bar had your regular lettuce, tomatoes, cukes and such, but also was a garden of colorful eggs (not just for Easter) and other premade salads full of mayo. The eggs were hardboiled with one soaked in pickled beet juice (I do love pickled beets) and the other glowing yellow from its mustard bath. I didn’t try either since they firstly just didn’t appeal to me and secondly eating them in front of Paul would have made him cringe.

After feeling slightly healthy from all that roughage, I dove into the hot bar. I made some wise choices picking boiled potatoes with butter and parsley over the mashed or fried variety; having brussel sprouts (only a few since they lacked luster) and green beans (which were yummy); and choosing a small piece of salmon paired with a small portion of pot roast as my main course.

Those Amish sure know how to make pot roast. It was tender and succulent and just a wonderful mix of seasonings. If I could make this at home, Sundays would never be the same. I was so full, pushing to the point of taking another bite could be explosive, I didn’t venture to have anymore, though I do think this may be a place I would love to dine at in the future.

I skipped dessert, but Paul sang the praises of the chocolate cake, and it sure did look good. Just a cube of sheet cake, but sometimes simpler is better and these ladies know how to bake. Next time we may just get a pie to go and have that for breakfast.

The food wasn’t only the comforting part of this meal. The staff is very kind without an attitude in sight. Ruth, our waitress, was in her later years, but still moving and shaking it like she was 50 and stopped by not only to check on how we liked the food, but also just to chit chat and ask, “You from around here” I guess they get a lot of tourists, and I can see why.

This really set the tone for the rest of the day, filling our bellies, warming our hearts and putting smiles on our faces. When was the last time a visit to a restaurant did all that for you?

To Give Up Is To Receive

2010-02-19T21:40:00.000-05:00

It’s Lent again and though I am devout to no particular religion, my Catholic upbringing has indoctrinated me into giving up something for Lent each year. The thought as a child was to give up something I really liked, such as candy to show God and Jesus that I loved them. It was also supposed to show me that I could be like Jesus and sacrifice. However my giving up candy in no way could compare to giving up one’s life to save the people. Even as a child I knew this was a bit farcical.

Yet today I go back to the old ways and though I did not get smudged on the forehead on Wednesday, I did give up drinking for Lent. Drinking wine, cocktails and beer is something I like to do. But with the current literature I have been reading, I felt it would show my will to be good to myself while at the same time sacrificing something I liked. Yes, this is a selfish act, I don’t try to hide that or be holier than thou, I just felt it was time to focus and to put down the bottle.

However, I am already planning an afternoon of Mimosas on Easter Sunday and possibly some wine with dinner, but that is 40 days away.

Another old habit with this pre-Easter time is not eating meat on Friday. Growing up this meant that one would eat fish since only weirdos would go completely without animal protein at a meal. It is with this mentality that I told Paul about the non-meat Fridays and he was fine with it since we could do things like bean burritos(his favorite). “No, I mean that I am supposed to eat fish on Friday.” I said, almost hoping for his withdrawal. He doesn’t give up so easily. “But you don’t have to eat fish (a food crime in his book), you just can’t eat meat? Right?” “I suppose.” I answered feeling squashed.

This was all for nothing since I have decided to spend some time alone this Friday. And since I am alone, I can have fish. But other than canned tuna, what can I get for my budget that is seafood and good. I decided on some tilapia which is still a good price and since I was putting it in sauce, the fact that it had been frozen didn’t really matter. It had to be something rich to not hide the flavor, but to showcase another region where the flaky wonder of the meat would pop along with the veggies basking in its glory.

Here’s what I came up with – Sicilian Fish

Sicilian because I saw a similar recipe on a TV show and because it incorporates the simple flavors of the island, namely tomatoes and olives with the abundant seafood they are privy to.

Sicilian Fish

A filet of fish per person (I had tilapia, but you can use grouper, snapper or any white fish)
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (for 4 filets) drained
2 cloves garlic
½ chopped onion
A celery stalk
½ tsp to 1tsp Paprika
Dash Cayenne Pepper
Handful Spanish Olives – sliced
Olive oil, salt and pepper
Pasta
Grated parmesan

Saute the onion, celery and garlic in olive oil and when they are soft and translucent add in the paprika, cayenne and olives. Cook for about a minute to get the flavors to build. Add in the tomatoes and cook for 3 or 4 minutes, then taste for seasoning.

Meanwhile boil your favorite pasta – I used whole wheat thin spaghetti.

Season the fish with salt and pepper. Make a space in the middle of the tomato pan, add some oil and sauté the fish for about 3 minutes or until it looks white and flaky on the bottom. Then turn it over and brown the other side while coating the top with the tomato mixture to finish the cooking.

Drain the pasta and add a touch of oil, along with pepper. I then grated some cheese into the pasta. Normally, I would use parmesan, but I had some hard cheese from Greece in the freezer that I used instead since it had that salty/nutty quality.

Note: I save the juice from the drained tomatoes in a little plastic dish with a cover. I then freeze it and add to it as the week or two goes on. You can use this for other sauces or add some cayenne, lime juice and ice, plus some vodka and make a bloody Mary, but that will have to wait for a few more weeks. See nothing goes to waste.

Plate the pasta and top with filet and sauce. Dash it again with cheese and it is delightful.

Next Friday we’ll be a twosome again so I guess it will be vegetarian all the way.

Any suggestions????

Catching up and moving on

2010-02-17T18:32:00.001-05:00

This weekend was a whirlwind of fun and frivolity so the blog was left to wander on its own. Short updates:

Thursday was the local Addy Awards and my team scored a few wins, with Ren taking home the Best of The Bay Award for Sales Collateral!!! Now we move on up to districts.

Friday was the beginning of a wonderful Valentine’s. Really it was the best Valentine’s ever! Paul is an incredible romantic and I just fell into it all – and it was fun! It was also the start of the cutest canine contest with Finn vying for a shot at the cover of TBT. Care to vote for my little boy? Here’s your chance --- http://tampabay.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=13224

Saturday, Paul and I went to see a matinee of Wicked, a first for me and his second time. I loved it. The music was fantastic and going to the theatre is such a pleasure with dressing up and all. Afterward we went out for a romantic steak dinner complete with chocolate dipped strawberries and champagne.

Sunday Feb 14 was present day and I gave Paul the afghan I have been working on for months. He appreciated my efforts and artistry saying it was the nicest Valentine’s gift he ever received. I liked that. Millie has taken to the afghan as well so everyone is getting a chance to enjoy it.

The past few days have just been getting things taken care of and preparing for Lent. Though I am not affiliated with any particular religion, it is something I grew up with and appreciate the opportunity to look deeper into myself and into my beliefs honoring the next 40 days and the gratitude I have for all my blessings.

Beans, Beans The Magic Fruit, The More You Eat The More You ….

2010-02-10T16:47:00.001-05:00

No matter what financial situation I am in, I always have beans on hand. Either canned or dry, red, black or great northern, beans are a staple in my kitchen. From a simple soup of beans and greens, to red beans and rice, black bean burritos, navy beans in my salad or chickpea hummus, beans have a long tradition of being a food that is inexpensive, impressive and in demand.

Many health gurus spout the wisdom of beans as being high in fiber, low in fat and a sustainable form of energy in your body. Want a protein boost, eat beans. It is all in how you cook them as to how healthy they are such as the lard-ridden refried beans you get at Taco Hell compared to the black beans I make (refried kind off) for my burritos. I probably eat beans at least twice a week, and have only found one problem with them – the after sound. But there is Beano for that and all is well.

One of the simplest bean recipes I know is one my sister, Cricket, taught me: beans and greens soup. This is a Latin classic and when I told a couple of my Latina friends, they just smiled like I was a child they were humoring. I thought it was a brilliant idea and they nodded being raised on this soup since they were wee. It’s really simple to, though I dress it up a little (I think my sister does too) with some hot sauce, garlic and maybe even bacon.

Beans and Greens Soup

1 can of Great Northern Beans
1 can of Glory brand collard greens
½ onion diced
1 clove of garlic diced
A couple slices of bacon
Maybe a can of diced tomatoes

1 cup veggie or chicken broth
Hot Sauce

Fry the bacon and when it is soft remove some of the fat and add in the onion and garlic. Cook them until they are translucent and if you are using tomatoes add them now. Then when it is all hot, go ahead and add the drained and rinsed beans and the can of greens – with the juice. Add the broth and some hot sauce to your liking and simmer until it is cooked through.

Spoon into bowls and enjoy. It is super simple and may seem a bit rural to some, but I love the taste and the Latinas agreed it is very authentic.

What is your favorite bean recipe??

Feelin’ A Little Hopey Changey

2010-02-09T20:10:00.000-05:00

I have yet to find a picture for the bathroom. Rephrased, finding a picture that is in a store for the bathroom. Being as my budget is pretty tight (rephrased as, I need to have a garage sale to pay for anything new I want in the house), this is still in a holding pattern. I have thought about using one of my photos blown up and framed, but there is some spend with the enlarging and the framing. Then I thought I would take some of the photos and postcards I already have and which are already framed, but I am unsure about the multiple pictures.

Like many folks, I need to change things up a bit from time to time and it always seems that this need is when I have the least amount of money. Since Finn had his last operation, it has been a struggle making ends meet, but every time I look in his cute little eyes, I fall in love all over again and don’t care about the money. Being broke actually seems to have made me more creative.

How? Starving artists for centuries have made great works of art from nothing. Yes, many had benefactors who paid for their marble, absinthe and ink. What I have is inspiring Web sites, a garage full of crap, baskets of yarn and hope.

See no matter how bad it seems to be, I still have hope. Hope I will have food on the table, that Finn will get better and not be in danger nor need to go to the vet so often and that one day I won’t have to worry so much about those mighty dollars. Until then, I get creative and start having a lot of gratitude for what I do have. All those crazy material things that make the house look like a home are nice, but it’s the look in my little boy’s eyes when I come home. (Polly too). In fact, I was looking so deeply into his eyes and feeling that love that you only feel when you know that you really love the person (or dog). You know that melting feeling like you just want to hold them forever, and even the tiniest notion that you won’t have them forever makes you appreciate them that much more. That’s what I feel for all my kids. That unconditional love.

And that made me realize that the power Finn has in his eyes could help us out. So I am entering my cutest canine into the TBT Cutest Canine Contest. I will send a notice to my blog and Facebook friends to vote for my little guy, but I’m sure once you lay eyes on him you won’t need any persuading. The grand prize is $500, a well-needed treat for mommy, which will go directly to paying his medical bills.

See there is always hope, even when it is hiding, you just have to open your eyes.

BTW, I went with the scattering of small pictures for now.

Drool Alert!

2010-02-08T20:45:00.001-05:00

Every Monday I get a little notice in my e-mail box that I have something waiting for me from Food and Wine. This little morsel of information is jam packed with dish recipes that cause me to drool and dream. This is truly food porn and it is delivered to me personally. I want to make everything it leads me to and yet I must hold back since there is a budget involved and a lack of time as well as the hungry mouths to feed.

Still, I keep collecting the recipes and try to plan for a time to use them. Today, they hooked me with chocolate and all its glorious manifestations for the loveliest of days (or Hallmark will have you think so) Valentine’s. Unlike many of the rail-thin mind mummies out there, I don’t subscribe to the religious doctrine that chocolate is sin. Puking your guts out, rallying against anything non-organic and smoking until your bones show is sick, but chocolate is the new manna from heaven and I am all about it.

Today’s installment also shares tips for dinners for two and romantic dishes so lovely couples can share in the pleasure of not only eating together, but cooking together and making a special dessert that much more fulfilling. And I get to brag that when I cook dinner for two, he always does the dishes, makes you jealous doesn’t it ladies?

I will stockpile these ideas for another time making Valentine’s something that lasts all year long, but this year we have other plans that involve no cooking (in the kitchen that is) and buying in to the whole Hallmark Holiday (It’s a first for me).

So whether it is a special occasion, or just something you like to indulge in to suit your mood, this is an awesome source for culinary explorations and a place to find your zen.

There are a few recipes I will have to indulge in singularly since Paul would never go for Oysters or Salmon Trout or Smoked Pork, but that’s OK, I happen to love my own company over dinner. He may join me for a dessert of chocolate and raspberry though.

What is your favorite romantic meal?

Will Knit For Food

2010-02-07T23:54:00.000-05:00

It’s been two weeks and no knitting. A shame really. I have the afghan to complete by next weekend and only have about a 1/4 done. My focus for the weekend and this coming week has been and will continue to be the afghan, with other things getting in the way from time to time.

Such as: Going to Mo’s for SuperBowl. I am not a huge football fan, not even really a fan, more of an on-looker. But I like the commercials and the camaraderie of the big game. Plus, the food. Ren made chicken wings from the Neeley’s inspiration and other attendees crafted such lovely treats as Buffalo Chicken Dip (#14) and there was another dip with bacon in it. Yes, it was a delicious night. My contribution? Well I was a bit semi-homemade since I had to knit all day, but I brought the well received Chocolate Fudge Cake from Betty Crocker. It was wonderful.

Now I have to get back to my knitting. What were some of your Big Game Favorites?

The Girl In The Basement

2010-02-06T23:34:00.000-05:00

“Mary Skinner, the actress that played the girl being held captive in the basement, was very good, she's beautiful, but she has a natural look that sets her apart. I tried to find more of her work, but this is just about the only thing she's done, which is a shame, I hope she comes back to acting at some point.”

Saturday was movie night at the Swingin’ Beach Pad and the film de jour was The Girl in the Basement starring the renowned actress, Mary Skinner!!! In fact, Mary joined us and gave us a running commentary of the film from the lead actress point of view.

Made in 1996, the film is more of a thriller than a horror film, but still kept my attention. With a running time of about 2 hours, we swept through about 3 with commentary and witticisms and munching on pizza. We laughed until we cried, mostly from Mary making fun of herself, and shared some much needed time together. We even watched the extras and got to see Leon, her pug sitting on her lap while she was getting her bruises applied. It was marvelous.

With all this talk of films and film making, I want to make one. I used to work on films, but nothing big and that was more than a decade ago. For now I will just be the voyeur and enjoy the fruits of other people’s labor.

What about your brushes with fame, I know you have some. Care to cast a spotlight on your tales of the rich and famous???

A More Perfect Yellow

2010-02-04T19:35:00.000-05:00

No this is not another piece about lemons, but it is so apropos that it comes the day after my lemon sermon.

A couple years ago I was introduced to the 48-Hour Film Project. This is an independent festival of sorts that is open to inspired film makers, their friends and anyone else they can corral into going completely insane for 48 hours. The festival is open all over the country and contestants are eligible to win in their area and move up to nationals.

Premise: On Friday night at say around 7pm your team gets a character name and line of employment, a line of dialogue and a genre picked out for you. Then you are on your own to write, shoot, edit and score your short film to be turned in no later than 7pm on Sunday evening. The project managers put all the films together to run at a special showing (usually the following weekend, so you have had time to rest) and the panel and viewers judge and pick their favorites.

Sounds like fun huh?? My first introduction was a spirited guy I worked with who had one line in his friend’s film. Unfortunately they had problems burning it to DVD and didn’t make their deadline. The director has made a few other pieces – The Apple Tree is one of my favorites.

But on to A More Perfect Yellow. I loved this piece, not only because it is very funny, but also because it is so well done. I can dig the angst stuff that most independents put out there, but they just seem a bit too self-indulging sometimes and heavy. This one is neither. Viva La VHS is a great group of professionals and they have some wonderful help, Guy being the location scout is just one. (The apartment at the beginning with cool furniture and view is his and the set for Santiago’s interview is the Postcard Inn, a fab hotel in St. Pete.) They have gone to nationals with this and hopefully they can even go further.

Take a Look

Pucker UP!

2010-02-03T19:30:00.000-05:00

Some staples are good for those select favorite culinary treats, while others are good for just about everything, like lemons. I could not cook without lemons. I am an all-around citrus junkie, but lemons are my favorite. I counted this past week and noticed that I used at least one lemon a day from adding to my tea, to zesting up my fish and chips, to adding some sunshine to my vodka and even preventing scurvy by dousing my broccoli.

Lemons are such happy fruits and they lend their happiness to everything. In the morning, I add some zest and juice to my vanilla yogurt and blueberries to make it even more fresh and healthful. For lunch, my hummus sings with joy as the olive oil and chickpeas dance with zest and juice. Need a snack? I love sliced apples, but they turn brown so quickly. A dose of lemon juice and they stay appetizing until the afternoon. After my hard day, a vodka martini with a lemon twist is the perfect cure to block the pain and then dish it up with dinner as it turns my healthy fish and chips into something so much more.

Fish and Chips (on a budget and still keeping the heart pumping)

I have been working out more which only encourages me to eat well. The martini withstanding, was a single occurrence this week and well worth it, but since I had exhausted myself during dance class on Monday, the one libation was good enough.

Money is tight and I am pulling things from the freezer – namely grouper filets and French fries. I love fries, but only enjoy them once in a while and I figure if I make them myself at least I know they aren’t so bad.

Fries
I use the frozen kind, but dress them up.

1 lemon (juice and zest)
Salt and pepper
Paprika

Cook the fries as directed on the bag, but before you put them in the oven, toss them with zest, salt, pepper and paprika. Bake halfway and add fish to the pan.

Fish

A couple grouper fillets or any white fish you like
1 beaten egg
1 lemon (zest and juice)
Bread crumbs and/or your favorite crushed up cereal (I used Fiber One once and just couldn’t get past the bran taste so I don’t recommend it.)
Garlic powder
Dried herbs of your choice
Cayenne pepper or hot sauce
Salt and pepper

To the beaten egg add half of the lemon juice, salt, pepper and hot sauce if using.
To the bread crumbs add lemon zest, garlic powder, herbs, cayenne (if using) and salt and pepper.
Dry the fillets with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Dip in the egg and then in the crumbs and put on the baking sheet. When the fish is done and the fries look crisp, douse the fries with half a lemon’s worth of juice and toss. Put back in the oven to crisp under the broiler – DO NOT WALK AWAY! Now look to see the golden goodness. The lemon juice caramelizes on the fries and is just so good!

I usually add a little homemade tartar sauce (low fat mayo with dill pickle relish and scallions) to the dish and all I am missing is a pint to wash it down with.

Which citrus is your favorite? And why?

DIY Yearnings

2010-02-02T16:27:00.000-05:00

I am getting back into my house fixing mood, though I will be getting the dream house so I just keep in mind it is for my tenants. But what to do? There is cleaning, fixing and decorating to do in a variety of stages throughout the house. I don’t even know where to start. But I found something new for inspiration.

The Better Homes and Gardens DIY – is a great online source for everything for the home. Some a big projects and some are small, but all are wonderful.

I am like a bird or a child with ADD in the way I flutter from one interest to another (explains why I haven’t married – YET). I am listing out all my desires for this house I currently reside in and that can become crazy, but I am not giving up.

A Walk in the Woods really brings to life the need to get out in nature. I love how they take simple objects and make them into sculpture and art. A lot of it stirs in me the desire to have a dinner party.

The Outdoor Ideas will add color and spark to backyard which right now is all dead and brown, but I am hoping that some of these ideas will bring it back to life.

Finally a double duty project that would work perfectly for me, Framed Jewelry. This will put some of my more chunky, fashion pieces in an easy to find place as well as show them off when I am not showing them off.

So those are some ideas for this week paired along with the dusting, the vacuuming and the other tidbits that bring about my home. Next stop: The dollar store.

We Have A Winner

2010-02-01T18:42:00.000-05:00

Yea Jessica!!!!

You were the lucky one drawn from the great giveaway hat. You have your choice of any of these books or you can have all 4. Thanks for reading my blog and please share with your friends.

And Everyone – check out Jessica’s blog A Singleton in the Kitchen – it has inspired me to make bread (something I was always a bit afraid of.)

Something old Something new

2010-01-31T17:53:00.000-05:00

Sorry dear readers, but I have been lost recently. Not literally lost, though there is a literary twist, but I have been up to my deepest brain cells in LOST – Season 5. It was so long ago that it aired and I just had to catch up. Now that I have, I feel more at ease with watching the Season 6 premiere on Tuesday. I just hope Sayid doesn’t die.

To also take up my time, I have gotten lost in a book: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. Just 3 months ago I was number 775 on the waiting list at the library and now I am already past page 200. I have been enveloped in this tome to the point of only taking the dogs for walks and the occasional shower. I even gave up a Saturday Date Night to read.

But this didn’t stop me from eating. I didn’t want to leave the house, so I recycled food in a way, making something new from something old (or almost old). Remember the beans I made last week? I mixed them in with a couple cups of chicken broth and some orzo and Voila- Soup! Really good soup too. Perfect for the cold weather we are having. It was only about a cup and a half of beans, but perfect and now I have 3 meals (budget friendly too).

How have you transformed leftovers???

A Fresh Read

2010-01-28T22:29:00.001-05:00

Do you ever feel your reading material is getting stale?

I seem to get caught in the trap of reading material that is similar to the one before and the one after. Books meld into each other and instead of creating a brilliant symphony of images in my brain and/or causing me to relate and think, they just see to sit there unscathed.

So yes, I needed a new book and I got it from Guy for Christmas. Assorted Nuts by Sandy Bax is a profound read, but not the heavy kind, more the “this is so interesting and at times hilarious, but yet deep down I can feel these words.” Sandy is a local, and that means that she knows Guy, everybody knows Guy. Well anyway, Sandy has documented the adventures of her life from growing up in an emotionally disengaged household, with visits to the funeral home each summer; cascading through life making bad choices about men; dealing with alcoholism (go figure with that childhood who wouldn’t drink); and breast cancer just to top it off.

Guy says it’s reminiscent of David Sedaris, but I think it is completely different in tone, but I read more than he does so there. It is a must-read though and I think it should be part of our book club reads, but I have a feeling it may be shot down. No biggie, you can pick up your own copy and peruse the prose to your heart’s content. Let me know what you think.

Wrinkled Goodness

2010-01-27T22:23:00.000-05:00

Do you have a favorite staple in your kitchen arsenal? Other than Dijon mustard, I love sundried tomatoes and wondered how I lived without them before they became so trendy. The ruby-red gems of tangy sweet goodness can change any ordinary dish into a magnificent one that everyone will awe.

My favorites? Try some slivers on sautéed green beans and POW, you’ll love the kick. Go ahead and spruce up your lazy rice, couscous or orzo with some and add a touch of their packaged oil to make it extra lively. Not sure yet? How about blended up to make a great tomato bisque? Here’s how:

Tomato Bisque

I fell in love with tomato bisque when I frequented the OVO Café. Unfortunately, my favorite hot spot wet cold and I had to suffer through a lack of proper soup. Then in Portland Oregon, I tried the Tomato and Orange Bisque from the Flying Elephant Café.

1 large can of diced tomatoes (fire roasted are OK)
¼-1/2 cup orange juice concentrate
1 medium onion diced
2 carrots diced
1 clove garlic diced
½ cup sundried tomatoes reserve some oil
Fresh basil – chiffonade
½ cup half and half

Saute the onions, garlic and carrot in the reserved sundried tomato olive oil until sweated out and slightly caramelized. This means low heat (about low to med) for about 20 minutes. Add the OJ concentrate and let all the sugars meld. Put the veggies in a food processor or blender, add both the canned and sundried tomatoes and let it run.

Return the soup to the pan and add the half and half plus salt and pepper to season. When serving top with basil.

I just love the sweetness of this dish and it’s perfect with a grilled cheese sandwich.

What A Scum!

2010-01-26T20:43:00.000-05:00

How do you really get rid of soap scum?

I have tried everything from vinegar and baking soda to the dangerous commercial products and even sanding by hand, but nothing seems to really work. I have been trying to get my lovely green tile back to green for months and I keep giving up, but when I relax in the bath I get a deeper view of just how extensive this creepy crud has gone.

I get everything else up to par, but the tile taunts me. I know that once I get it clean, it will require regular maintenance and I can do that with a sponge after each shower, but what do I do now.

Help!

Living to Eat

2010-01-25T18:57:00.000-05:00

Don’t forget the drawing for the books. I figure you can have them all if you win. Comment on any of these blogs until Sunday evening and get your foodie and other interesting friends to visit, they can enter too. See Saturday’s entry (Haslam’s) for more details.

Some women prefer clothes, some jewelry and some cars. I prefer to spend my money on food and drink. Having a list of possibilities with me when I go grocery shopping puts me in a high mood. I feel hopeful and creative and without restrictions (unless I am baking.) It’s like an artist going into an art store and seeing all the canvas and paints, clay and beads and feeling the elation that comes from anticipating endless possibilities. That is where my money goes. And it shows, since I don’t have the latest trends in my closet and dress a bit down or sometimes on the edge as my ankles will allow. Even when I am tightly restricted as I am now, there is still the opportunity to try something new and not bust the budget. It is all a game, and I love playing it.

What keeps me going on the trips to the grocer is the incredible food blogs that are out there. I am so impressed with the variety and style that float on the Web like tiny planets illuminated by the need to eat. With a society so focused on “Eating to Live” and looking down on those who appreciate food, it is nice to see so many average Joes and Joannes out there Living To Eat, thinking about the next meal while enjoying the one on their plates right now. I would love to be a food blogger as my job, what a wonderful time that would be.

With this as my philosophy, what I need to learn now is more about portion control, self control and getting myself to the gym, then I can eat more to share with you. Yummy!

Here are some of my favorite food blogs:

Noble Pig

I just love this blog. The recipes are incredible and fun, the writing is witty and I love her realistic and unpretentious photos.

The Food Librarian

A great resource for resources. I love the recipes and she had me hooked with cake.

The Bitten Word

I love the premise of how it got started and with shelves drooping from the weight of so many cooking magazines, I can understand the undertaking. I like how they choose the gourmet-est types of recipes (not your average fish and chips), showcasing the elegance that can be draw from simple pages of paper. Love it.

Grumpy’s Honeybunch

The sweet ode to cooking and love. She has developed food blogging into a social network and loves every minute of it. I really appreciate that she peruses all the magazines and books and comes up with some great ideas. This helps save me research time. Plus reading about her adventures gives me some great ideas.

BrokeAss Gourmet

Oh how I love thee, let me count the ways. One is that the name is perfect; very funny and yet so apropos. Second, they really do some cheap ass, yet gourmet delights (though they have a Trader Joes so they can get a decent bottle of wine for about $3). Third, it’s also part sex column with ads for Good Vibrations and such. Fourth, it’s a consortium of sorts and not just one person’s point of view. Love it.

An Artful Practice

2010-01-24T18:03:00.001-05:00

People are said to practice medicine and practice religion, but nobody says they practice art. Well I do. Like with the act of breathing, there is an inhalation (inspiration) and an exhalation when it comes to art (practice and doing.) I appreciate both. On Thursdays, I ration out my inspirations whether they be films, paintings, books, etc all devoured in a sort of passive way. On Sundays, I will open the door to what I am doing to practice art.

It’s sort of fitting, since Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest (I don’t know about you, but Practicing Art can be very relaxing) and a day to connect to (insert deity here) which I also do when I practice art. I have many interests, and these tend to leave me a bit scattered, but I am giving myself more time and freedom to take a few moments each day to feel the yarn through my fingers, the glue sticking to my fingertips and everything else, a the elation and dull ache I get when I write too much. Cooking is my daily form of practice since it is also a way that I can get physical sustenance as well as emotional and mental healing from the day.

Today’s adventures are all tied up in knitting. I have spent the past few weeks making some of my own original designs in purses, wraps and jewelry. But it isn’t all about wearables, I have also taken on the task to make and afghan. I have only made one before and it was fashioned in three pieces then sewn together. This is a one piece deal. I am using an eclectic mix of yarns I have purchased over the years and melding the colors together to be of interest to the eye, as well as to keep you warm. So far so good!

What creative adventures do you have lurking around the corner?

Haslam’s Bookstore

2010-01-23T14:33:00.001-05:00

I love my town. St. Pete really is a gem and unlike anything else in Florida. We have a touch of Southern charm, but in general are pretty open minded (well some of us, the Mayor is a throwback, but you can’t win them all.) We have a thriving art scene, a lot of opportunities to become a culinary Mecca, and baseball. People here are like a melting pot of Americana with LA glam paired with Midwest conformity, Southern slowness balanced by NYC’s excited energy, and beach bum laziness coupled with aggressive optimism. Match all that up with great weather and you have my town.

Riding down Central Ave I felt very nostalgic with locally owned shops lining the street parading everything from antiques, to modern home décor, a dance studio next to a tattoo shop and a plethora of restaurants. Nestled before the overpass is Haslam’s, established in 1933, is the answer to all the chain bookstores. Don’t get me wrong, I am an avid Amazon shopper and love to spend time perusing the stacks at Borders and Barnes and Noble, but this is the place where I shop and also where I find those treasures that I never knew were so dear.

I can spend hours in Haslam’s checking out both the old and used sections, trying to see if I can “feel” any of the ghosts that are said to haunt the stacks, and being sucked into a book I never knew I needed until now. I keep going back because it is also one of the best ways to spend a rainy afternoon, and to keep on the cheap (free) side of things.

Things to know before going to Haslam’s:

They have a shop cat so don’t be surprised to find him sitting on top of the monitor as you checkout or strolling around the aisles.
They have an extensive Florida authors section and frequently host readings, so you may stumble into famous Florida writer and not even know it.
The further you travel into the store, the more there is to see. I can count 7 areas partitioned off like a house where new and used books intermingle.
Check out the Jack Kerouac books to see if they are in the right order. It is said that occasionally dead Jack revisits the store that he so loved to browse in when he was breathing and switches up the books putting his more at eye-level so he can get more sales. It also is suggested that you may feel a cold chill when you finger his tomes as he encourages you to purchase.
There are also said to be a ghostly concentration in the spiritual section with a substantially cooler feeling and sometimes perfumey smells. I am a big skeptic, but I noticed it is significantly cooler, but that could be due to an air vent.
Plan to spend some time there, if you are a book lover. I went there once with my neighbor and within 10 minutes he was ready to leave. This told me that he wasn’t very interested in books, didn’t like the quaint quality of the store and was by other evidence having nothing to do with the store, an ass. I don’t hang out with him anymore.

With all of that said, Haslam’s is definitely a gem that you should maybe check out if you are ever in St. Pete. I say maybe because if you aren’t a book lover, you will be bored. But that is what the baseball games are for.

I also love to travel. Tell me about a great place in your town that you would recommend to visitors like me and you may be the lucky one to win a book to read on your next trip. The winner will be picked randomly (literally out of a hat), but the book will be to your choosing: Night in Bombay by Louis Bromfield, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, The French Lieutenant’s Woman by John Fowles or Fun Lover’s Guide to Surprising Amsterdam by Tom Vincent. Tell a friend to check my blog out and if they comment (giving you credit) then you get extra chances to win. We’ll do the drawing on the first of February.

*Sorry we have to keep it U.S. for now.

Something Different

2010-01-22T23:22:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Friday – the beginning and the end of the week’s divides. I always look forward to Fridays since before Paul it meant time with Guy and my friends, and now avec Paul, it means we get to play house for a few days. It also gives me an opportunity to try a new recipe.

Everyone has their likes and dislikes, but Friday is when I get the thrill of making something to impress my sweetie. He has a particular palate and this challenge gives me an excuse to make something that both of us will love, and that will bring us closer together.

This week’s Something Different Friday is about a meal I cooked on Tuesday. For Paul’s birthday, we decided to stay in and spend time alone (with the pups of course.) I wanted to make something new for him and found an interesting recipe in my recently arrived Penzey’s catalogue. Money is tight and I needed to keep even this meal in budget so I challenged myself to make something from things in my pantry and freezer that would still be special for this day. The Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe was perfect. I had a turkey breast in the freezer, rice in the pantry and broccoli in the fridge.

Unfortunately it wasn’t one of my favorites. Paul liked it though, at least he said he did and even had seconds. The accoutrements were good. I finally made rice that didn’t stick (rinse it thoroughly first) and broccoli roasted with walnut oil and topped with roasted walnuts (he loved this.)

Since I wasn’t so happy with the recipe, I decided to make another new recipe this week Stewed White Beans with Tomatoes and Rosemary, this one from one of my favorite recipe blogs, Noble Pig.

I didn’t want to wait when I saw the luscious photo, so I altered her take on this a touch using canned beans and the Mirepoix (onions, carrots and celery) to mix in with the tomatoes. You can check out her beautiful recipe at the link above, but here is my faster rendition. BTW – it was delicious.

Stewed White Beans with Tomatoes and Rosemary
Adapted from Martha Stewart and Noble Pig

2 cans Great Northern beans drained and rinsed
1 onion, 1 half finely chopped (1/2 cup)
1 carrot, cut into discs
3 or 4 celery stalk tops chopped
1 dried bay leaf
1 can (28 ounces) whole plum tomatoes, with juice
2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1 sprig rosemary
2 or 3 sprigs of thyme
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

Pulse tomatoes, with juice, in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Heat oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, celery, carrots, red-pepper flakes and bay leaf. Cook until tender and add garlic the last 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add this mixture to the processor, discarding the bay leaf and pulse until chunky smooth. Put all the veggies into a pot and add rosemary and thyme. Bring to a boil.

Simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomato sauce thickens, about 15 minutes then add beans and go another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, I felt it needed a decent amount of salt for flavor. (Beans can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.) Serve warm and drizzle with oil and sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese just before serving.

If the stew is made in advance, be sure to remove the rosemary sprig and let the beans cool before refrigerating. It should be reheated gently over medium-low heat.

I also want to try a recipe posted on Grumpy’s Honeybunch, Blueberry Pound Cake. A Cooking Light recipe that I missed, but Ms. Honeybunch found and now I am so excited about making it. This will be a Sunday effort to be served to Paul on Monday as his birthday cake (I love dragging out birthdays for a whole month.)

What’s a new recipe you tried this week? What was your inspiration? Check out these sites to find out more things to keep you busy in the kitchen.

Artsy Thursday

2010-01-21T18:41:00.001-05:00

I hosted an artists’ party at my house a while back, inviting all my creative friends to showcase their paintings and sculptures, perform their most interesting performance pieces and play the songs that sing in their hearts. I took the opportunity to read some of my poetry (getting the response that those who really followed what I was saying wanted to jump in front of a truck – it was pretty down stuff.) One of my friends wasn’t sure if she would be comfortable in this crowd since she didn’t see herself as an artist. But she was a great cook. I told her to make the hors d’eouvres. She was a hit being the only artist whose pieces were edible.

As I see it, there is a connection between art and food and Thursdays are devoted to art in the visual, written and sometimes majorly messed up fashion. So I christen thee – Artsy Thursday. Observance – the word Thursday is a bit drab and not really very artistic, though I guess it could be argued that it holds a minimalistic quality that could be defined as merely pretentious.

So let’s drop the pretention and let me share with you one of my favorite films so far, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. I had never heard of it, or seen a trailer, but by happenstance, Paul found it playing in the area and shared with me the synopsis. Though the story sounded nice, and the plethora of great looking actors from Heath Ledger to Johnny Depp and Jude Law filled the screen, I was still unphased. Then he said: Directed by Terry Gilliam. The angels sang and I was hooked.

It was the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon and a great way to escape a stressful week. I don’t want to give anything away, but this was Heath Ledger’s last movie and he died before it was even half way filmed. This left the director in a predicament missing his friend and star, as well as seeing before him another lost film. But as he says, when you have a magic mirror you can do anything and he did, using his brilliant imagination to transcend death and use the talents of Depp, Law and Colin Farrell as substitutes for Ledger in a seamless telling of his fantastical tale. I didn’t even know about all that until after I saw the movie.

Paul is a big movie watcher and loves spending at least one weekend day, relaxing in the dark with strangers surrounding him. I am more of a home moviegoer, but have come to appreciate stories on the big screen, no matter how small. This has allowed me to see films I may never have seen, and actually enjoyed them like Up In The Air, with George Clooney (who I really won’t talk about since I just don’t care for him – too slick) and Blind Side with Sandra Bullock (another not so much a favorite in the Hollywood crew.) But I really enjoyed both. But nothing stimulated me as Doctor Parnassus and his magic mirror. I can’t wait for it to come out on DVD so we can watch it on Guy’s projector in his new Swingin’ Beach Pad and enjoy cocktails at the same time (it’s definitely a film for those who like to alter their reality, but not just for them.)

Share with me a recent discovery you have made. I would love to know what pulls you from the mundane through the magic mirror to paradise.

Holding It Together With Staples

2010-01-20T14:58:00.001-05:00

Staples hold more than papers together. I’m talking about those things in your kitchen cabinets, freezer or fridge that are the glue in your creations and the things you can’t live without. I have many staples that are as dear to me as my lucky pen or my favorite socks and I will never give them up, hording them when I have a chance and even dealing with the harassment I receive when my stash is discovered, “How many jars of sundried tomatoes do you need? Don’t these go bad at some point?” Well honey, I don’t let them sit long enough to go bad. Remember the orzo from Saturday night, or the spinach salad from yesterday, they are all made with this lovely jarred staple of red delights floating in that wonderful oil.

But I digress. Wednesdays are one of my cooking days and that is when I find myself reaching for these particular items and turning them into a treat for the rest of the week. I know many of you have staples that either make up the backbone of your culinary adventures or create the perfect marriage of flavors, so show with me your “can’t do withouts” and I’ll show you mine. Tell me … how do you hold it all together?

Whether it is Grey Poupon or the store brand, organic or gourmet, Dijon mustard is something I can’t live without. I am a huge mustard person devouring grainy or smooth, spicy or sweet in just about everything, but this white wine-infused gem really makes it all come together. I didn’t realize my codependence until a few weeks ago when I found 3 different containers of the stuff littering my fridge. Each was about half full and set in different locations to be of easy access for any mood. I then noticed how many times I reached for them: salad dressing-just a dash with walnut oil and balsamic vinegar; leftover ham from the holiday-perfect accompaniment on a sandwich or as a rub with apricot jam to liven up the leftovers; chicken soup-toss in a dab and watch how it enhances the flavors; tuna noodle casserole-makes it a bit more high end. I consciously realized its versatility and began paying even more attention to this often overlooked brother to ketchup.

A simple addition to sauces, Dijon mustard compliments the tang of lemon, adds richness to a simple broth and a touch of piquancy to a creamy sauce. Added to vegetables like green beans (with a touch of OJ and orange zest), brussel sprouts (with bacon and walnuts) and cabbage (with vinegar and apples) this condiment reigns supreme.

Don’t believe me? Try this quick sauce with some grilled salmon and change your mind. It can also be stirred into some thin spaghetti for a herb/lemon infusion on your tongue.

Grilled Salmon with Dill Sauce

Grilling the salmon is the easy part (I usually just season it with salt and pepper and use either the outside grill (with the skin on) or the grill pan on the stove (skin off). Make sure to not overcook, it should still be a bit dark pink in the center when you take it out of the pan because it will still cook for another minute.

Dill Sauce

½ cup chopped fine red onion
Zest and juice from one lemon (If you really love lemon like I do, then you can add more to taste once it is all together)
I garlic clove minced fine
8 oz sour cream
¼ cup fresh chopped dill
1-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper

Put everything in a bowl and taste it to adjust the seasoning. I do this before I even take the fish out of the fridge since I want to give the flavors as long as possible to meld. Spoon onto the grilled fish, add a dollop to green beans, mix in with pasta for a change from heavy tomato and cheese sauces. Remember to taste before you serve it as well since the flavors sharpen as they sit.

Where The Heart Is

2010-01-19T22:07:00.000-05:00

A woman can not live on food alone. Maybe she can if it is Brie or chocolate. In my quest to make this blog more worthwhile for you dear reader and for me the dear writer, Tuesdays will be expressions of my architectural expression, aka, my home. Well my Dream Home actually. I am very self assured that the HGTV Dream Home will be mine. Every day I visit My Home walking through the rooms and planning my first dinner party, visiting with friends in the kitchen and on the patio, planning my shopping trips in my new automobile and making adjustments that tick off my pet peeves and make it a more pet-friendly place.

Breakfast in the morning or just hanging out cooking together. Here is where you will find Ren and I when the guys are in the movie room.

I never could imagine myself in such a nice home and always wondered how others did it. But now I just don’t care, I love this home. The spaciousness of the rooms call for Edith Piaf to be played, the coziness of the Casita languishes for Guy and Randy’s visit and the kid’s and guest rooms are ready for their switch when Ren, Pat and the kids come for a week.

Something a bit more formal for a meal, at least once a day. This will also be where I will work.

Perfect for us, this new location and home gives Paul and me a dramatic start to our relationship, and is big enough that we shouldn’t get on each other’s nerves. His ability to work from home makes it an easy move for him and the options for me are endless since everyone can use a talented writer. We also have suggested to one another that the Casita be rented as a B&B for discerning folk giving us extra income and me the opportunity for cook for others.

For those moments of prayer. This is the perfect spot to connect with God or to just read a great book.

Located between Albuquerque (I must get used to spelling that) and Santa Fe, we will get to experience the wonders of the West, visit new places and develop new relationships. I know it is a big switch for me, but I have my resume up to date and already have picked over some possible jobs.

Paul’s office space. It also has a TV in it. Not sure about the big Native American looking over the shoulder, but is a great spot for him to teach and to learn.

But before I can move, there are plans to be made. I have to get my hair cut and dyed so when they ambush me, I look good. The puppies must be clean and since they are absolutely adorable anyway, they will be great for TV. I have figured out the property taxes and insurance on this place, setting up a budget to meet these costs, as well as already figured out what I will take and what will stay when I go. I will pay off my home and rent it to some caring person, sell most of my books and belongings (keeping the cool stuff like my collection of 1860s novels and the retro table and chairs.)

Chatting with friends, drinking wine and letting the puppies run. One of the changes we will make is to put up a fence to keep the puppies safe, though I think Polly and Millie will be good matches for any stray coyotes.

To show that I am serious, I have stopped working on the bathroom since I will be moving and it is fine as it is for my tenants. The patio will be cleaned up a bit making it more hospitable for the new renters, but since the rent will be negotiable (based on handyman skills) I can leave all those other little nits for them.

My coworkers have even asked me to tell them when the ambush could occur since it could happen when I am at work and they want to look their best just in case they are on TV.

Guy and Randy’s room when they come to visit. This will also be the bed and breakfast rental. Not bad!

See I am for real. This is my vision.

To you nee-sayers, I must say, I don’t care about the odds, the change of scenery, the ripping away of my friends and the unforeseen possible struggles this could put on a new relationship. I don’t see them as negatives. It only takes one entry to win so I have as good a chance as anyone, I could use new scenery, my friends are pulling for me to the point of scheduling vacations, and Paul and I will have struggles, but so does everyone, it’s how you handle it.

So no need to enter, since this home is already mine, but let me know if you would like to come for a visit. Also please feel free to vote on the housewarming gifts you want them to give to me. Here is what I want:

Italian Herb Garden

Silverplated Wine Stoppers

Handprint Canvas Kit

Any of the 5-day forecasters

Countertop popcorn machine

Either the meat thermometer or marinader

Bobby Flay cookbook

Bobby Flay Grill Seasoning Set

Batali Pepper Mill

All Clad Baking Set

Cuisinart Stainless Cookware Set

Food Processor

Wish me luck!

Cooking in Public

2010-01-18T18:54:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! Yes, I know we are half way into month one, but I wasn’t willing to just jump into resolutions (and subsequent failure) so I have been wresting with what I want to do this year and the all-important How! You’ve got to give me a little credit since I have set my sights pretty in reach with no great drives to lose 100 pounds, save 1000 dollars or be nice to others 1 million times. Instead, I am making small goals within bounds that are purely for me. So saying that, this blog is going to change a touch, at least I am making the efforts to give it a bit of a routine. Yes, I know for all the artsy folks out there, routines are stifling and so unproductive, but for me they work. It’s part of my personality type. I like have a schedule and boundaries to work with (whether they stand or not.)

My quest for this touch of retentive elegance aligns with it being Monday and my day to share with you two of my favorite things – food and reading. From now on, until I change my mind, the weeks will begin with an introduction to cookbooks, cooking magazines, blogs and such that I have come to love or recently discovered and found I could not live without. I call it “Cooking in Public”, sort of like sex in public, but without the fear of being arrested, though it does have that thrill of sharing something so precious for everyone to gawk at. And what better way to kick this off than with my decade-long, unconditional relationship with Cooking Light Magazine.

Golden from the get-go, CL has been there for me from the start when I found out my love of eating was just a wayward symptom of my true love for cooking and all things food. I don’t recall how I happened upon my first issue back in 1999, but I have ever issue since categorized by year on the lower shelves of my cookbook book case, an easy grab for those lonely nights.

Life a favorite porn magazine (if there are such things anymore), I lustfully gaze at the photogenic sweethearts on each page, drooling and contemplating what I could do with each morsel while feeling my adrenaline rush. “Yeah I need me some of that” my mind mutters as I turn the page to yet another hot dish. Unlike sex mags though, I feel free to share my hot finds with others and alter the recipes as I see fit to expand on their endowments and satiate myself with their tongue-licking talents.

OK enough with the sex euphemisms. From time to time I revisit these parts of my past, but I look forward each month to the next issue, quietly finding time to luxuriate in the bathtub, on the bed or even nestled on the couch to devour each page of recipes, tips, tools and gadgets.

Over the years, this staple has inspired me to cook more than any other source turning me into a cook that many can appreciate. I have often thought about trying the whole Julie and Julia thing and making every recipe in at least one issue, but I neither have the time or the funds, so I pick my favorites and go from there. This month (a double issue), I so far have made Chipotle Bean Burritos, Salmon Croquettes and my own spin on Tuna Noodle Casserole (using the recipe as a guide and going from there.)

I have linked these to the recipes on the Web site, but that is so cold and you really miss out on the luxury of holding the glossy pages and admiring the true quality of those high-resolution food images.

My Tuna Noodle Casserole

I refuse to make a special trip to the store to make this comfort food staple meal, so I had to improvise on their recipe. It came out great! In fact, it turned out so good I figure I can substitute the tuna with chicken and maybe Paul will try it. I bet you could add more veggies like cauliflower, peas, artichokes, and whatever you like to make it full vegetarian, and even cut back on the pasta. I wonder how this would be with orzo??!!

8 ounces whole wheat rotini ( I may have used a bit more or less since it was whatever was left in the box
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon olive oil from sundried tomatoes
½ cup chopped yellow onion
1/3 cup chopped carrot
½ cup chopped green pepper
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped broccoli stalks (We had them left over from the other night and I like to eat them as a snack with carrot sticks and grape tomatoes)
½ cup chopped sundried tomatoes packed in oil (they were left over from the orzo made over the weekend)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ cup left over marinara sauce (it was left over from the batch Michelle made for Christmas and even if a drop remained it was not to be wasted)
1-1/4 cups fat-free milk (I used it to rinse out the sauce jar)
½ cup sharp cheddar cheese (replaces the cream cheese since I didn’t have any)2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup (2 ounces) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
2 (5-ounce) cans light tuna in water, drained and flaked
½ cup bread crumbs

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion, carrot, celery, pepper and tomatoes; cook 6 minutes or until almost tender, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually stir in sauce and milk; cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk until slightly thick. Stir in cheddar cheese, mustard, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

3. Remove pan from heat. Stir in noodles, 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and tuna. Spoon mixture into a shallow broiler-safe 2-quart baking dish coated with cooking spray; top with remaining 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and bread crums. Broil 3 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

What has inspired you to cook? Or what thrills you in the kitchen?

9 Days of Christmas

2009-12-16T19:57:00.000-05:00

One of the benefits of working from home is that I actually get to take breaks throughout the day. And today I am taking care of myself during those breaks by dancing my little heart out.

This is no easy task since I am still suffering from ankle issues, but On-Demand has a variety of dancing workouts that aren’t so bad. There’s Bollywood for alluring full-body movements, Salsa which is one of my favorites, Hip Hop, even though this does make me feel a touch old and, of course, striptease. I can already feel my body getting sore from some of the moves, but it is a very fun way to work during the day.

But that’s not all. Tonight I am going to my Latin Dance Class and make sure that all the stress is shimmied away.

10 Days of Christmas

2009-12-15T18:56:00.000-05:00

Ten Reasons That This Is The Best Christmas Yet
Finn – The love of my life celebrates his second Christmas
Polly – My BFF is charged up for a new year
Paul – Exploring new traditions that will last a very long time
Millie – Paul’s puppy is welcomed into my home and family
Friends – Always there for me when I need them and even when I don’t
Hosting Christmas Eve – Festivus for the Rest of Us (Now where’s that stick?)
Cookies – Of all kinds. I can’t help but love them
Painted Bathroom – Makes me feel that I accomplished something this year
My Pink Christmas Tree – Always my favorite and so me
Not Letting the Stress Get to Me - Priceless

11 Days of Christmas

2009-12-14T16:55:00.000-05:00

Even though my family prefers to watch TV during the holiday, I am still collecting Christmas music to play during dinner. I am hoping to get most of the group outside to have a family meal, but football takes precedent.

Both Amazon and iTunes have free music this year and I am making the most of it. I just love holiday music and this year is so special to me that I want all the senses to be overjoyed with stimulation. Does that make sense or maybe I have just had too much sugar.

I would love to pipe music throughout the house, but that would interrupt with the game on the tube so I dare not. But it will be nice when Paul and I bake cookies and share some holiday romance.

I also have Christmas albums passed down from my family that I have been listening to for the past few weeks. Most are from Firestone featuring a gift motif on the cover complete with plastic holly berries. Julie Andrews, Robert Goulet and Perry Como lend their voices to the vinyl records and to me that is Christmas. It’s hard really getting into the spirit with the latest pop icons.

My favorite Christmas song is “Do They Know It’s Christmas” and Guy refers to this as the Nico Christmas Song since is really is pretty dreary. You can tell Bob Geldolf grew up in Catholic Ireland since it plays on the guilt that so many children like me have endured throughout the ages.

12 Days of Christmas – 12 Drummers Drumming

2009-12-13T18:39:00.001-05:00

In my case 10 fingers plus 2 needles knitting to make all the gifts that I promised myself I would make. Diligently they drum on the fabric whether a washcloth, afghan, cap or scarf.

Harry Potter and Doctor Who kept me company as I worked and even took a break to make clam risotto. Risotto is fun since you have to keep stirring for 20 minutes. This one was prepared with canned minced clams, which on their own sound gross, but believe me it rocked!

3 cans of minced clams
2 lemons
A handful of herbs ( I used sweet basil, lemon basil and parsley)
3 sundried tomato halves
3 finely chopped scallions
1-1/2 cups arboro rice
6 cups just below boiling water
A handful of frozen peas
Salt and pepper
Feta cheese

Saute the herbs, chopped tomatoes and scallions in olive oil (about 2tbsp – I used some of the oil from the tomatoes). While this is getting soft and the flavors are melding, drain the clams and reserve the liquid. To the clam juice add the zest of one lemon and the juice from 2 lemons. To the clams, add a handful of frozen peas.

Adjust the veggies to medium high and add the rice. Toast for about 5 minutes and keep stirring. Add the clam/lemon juice (should be about 2 cups) and keep stirring. As the rice thickens add more water one cup at a time. When the rice is done (about 20 minutes, check for yourself) add the clam and peas. Cook for about 3 minutes. Adjust the seasoning and I added some feta to the bowl after I dished myself up some.

It was fantastic.

13 Days of Christmas

2009-12-12T13:34:00.000-05:00

We celebrated the puppies’ birthday with a party inviting their sisters and brothers, as well as mom and dad. We also had a few friends join us. It was a laid back celebration with a few food treats, beer and lots of laughs. Thankfully the weather was nice so we could sit outside and let the monsters tear off after one another. I made little gift bags for each kid to take home with them stuffed with treats and a special toy.

Tuttie with Angus, Sandy with Daisy, Gail with Maggie, Patty with Duncan and Fiona and me with Finn and Polly

Finn enjoying his Frosty Paws

Fiona can’t imagine it was just a year ago that she had 6 kids

Daisy

Maggie

14 Days of Christmas

2009-12-11T13:26:00.000-05:00

OK, the bathroom needs some touchups and accessories (Guy won’t hand over the Marilyn so I told him that I need him to help me put lights on the roof – it would be a shame if he fell – just kidding). I am at a standstill for this weekend and will finish up next week after I get some opinions from my more discerning friends. I have to pick the right people to ask since I have some friends who have drastically different tastes than me and can’t seem to see that we don’t share an altar to Martha.

Before

After

For now it sits and is a lot better than it was. That gives me the freedom to share the evening with Paul. We went to Zen Glass to see a holiday art show that Ren is in. Zen Glass is in a historic part of town known as Roser Park. It was fun to get out and see all the pieces, even though my wallet is a bit bare to support the local talent.

We wondered around downtown, but since it was such a chilly night we made our way home pretty early. There are still things I need to do for the party tomorrow, and thankfully Paul is there to help with the cleaning and cooking. This is the first party I’m not stressed about. I think it’s because I am so excited about the new bath and that I have someone to help me.

The real work really comes after the party, after 8 dogs ransack my house with their sloppy paws, minor accidents and sloppy kisses. I just love them all.

15 Days of Christmas

2009-12-10T22:29:00.000-05:00

Today is a joyous day and with the best Christmas gift ever. Polly and Finn turn one. The past year has had its share of hardships, but we are still a happy family and I am the happiest. Polly is truly my best friend with her monkey good looks and patient snorts, while Finn is the love of my life (which I told Paul and he was cool with that) always making me feel so loved in return.

We celebrated with a playfest in the morning where I told them both how much I love them and they wrestled me to the floor with hugs and kisses galore. Ren bought them both outfits for their party and I got them both chewing bones so they have something else to fight over. In the evening, we sat on the couch and played until both pooped out. Then in the silence of the night, I listened to their snoring serenade and thanked heaven for my sweetest kids.

Finn on the day he was born

3 weeks – a basketful of puppies

Finn at 3 weeks – his first New Year’s Celebration

Finn on his first bike ride

Polly at 6 weeks – loving the outdoors

Polly making sure the toys know who’s in charge – 9 weeks

Finn at 9 weeks looking cuter than ever

Polly at one year – this is her favorite toys so I got her a special one for her birthday

Finn at age one. It’s been a hard year, but he is a wondrous love. I love you boy!

16 Days of Christmas

2009-12-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

I’m too old for this. I had to do 3 coats of primer, but it is looking better. I am now way behind schedule and I feel I may be setting myself up for disappointment. Redoing anything in the house seems to turn one into Sybil.

I got up early this morning and reprimed, feeling a bit more hopeful. Until I sneezed. Then my back cringed and that is when my age caught up with me. I was feeling so youthful and optimistic, that it lost track of me and now spied me from my sneeze. But the room is painted. Not perfect, but painted. I needed time to let it dry so I have figured I can use some old tricks of the trade to hide its and my own imperfections. 100W of light, pish posh, turn it down to 50; Not sure if there is too much of a noticeable bleedthrough, dark drapery gives it a warmer feel.

I can’t lie, I really like the room a lot more without that brash brown wood look. It feels cleaner and homier. But since there is so much more to do my day was filled with working on my article, cleaning the rest of the house, including the patio that really is a pain in the ass, and getting cleaned up.

I had to clean up to go to the gym since I was covered in paint splatters. I wanted to look like I worked out, but not dirty – you know. The good news is that after my shower I felt so much better, though still close to my age, and I could appreciate my house more. There is still a lot to do tomorrow, but nothing someone like me can’t handle.

17 Days of Christmas

2009-12-08T23:09:00.000-05:00

Well it is soon approaching that point, and I finally seem to be making progress. The working out in the morning seems to help a lot since I was really losing it there the past few weeks.

The walls and ceiling are primed and are begging to be painted tomorrow morning. Since I work from home tomorrow, I can do that task as soon as I get up and then work in my paint splattered clothes for the morning. There is still a lot to be done, but for this weekend, I am stopping here. Next week, I will tackled the door (I have to do that one outside) and the cabinet.

The finishing touch for this week is the switchplates. I am using photos that I took and printed them on regular paper. Thanks to Jonathan Fong, I can make some groovy plates to go with my groovy bathroom. Also take a look at his Warhol Kitchen, I just love it. I am thinking of just putting one piece of art in the bathroom, a Warhol Marilyn that Guy got me in Pittsburgh. The only thing is the framing costs more than Marilyn was paid for all of her movies put together (joking, but close). Guy has promised many times to part with his trio of heads and I am trying to pry at least one from his still warm fingers.

Not to overdo it with Warhol, I want something different for the plates and am even going through photos to print and frame for other areas of the house. When looking through these photos I stumbled upon my NYC Holiday Window Photos from a couple years ago. That is my favorite thing to do in Manhattan and I miss it so. Thankfully there are a lot of shutterbugs capturing this season on-line and Another Normal is one of my favorites. He really brings to life the wonder I feel when I gaze upon these limited edition works of art.

Of course then comes the question, “What do they do with all that crap after the holiday?” Some of it is so cool and I wonder if they have a special sale. It also makes me think that I can glitter and bedazzle some things for my mannequin and make her feel more holiday-ish. She needs a good paint job too, maybe high gloss white.

Also helping me keep my sanity is listening to David Sedaris. I have the entire collection in audio book form and just love it. His tales about his family, living in NYC and then as an expat in France (he hates the term expat since he says you need to be a pat first). It is really very entertaining. There is also the Christmas classic, 6 to 8 black men. You better be good or you could end up in Spain.

18 days of Christmas

2009-12-07T19:58:00.001-05:00

The clock is ticking and the brilliance of the bathroom looms before me. My arms are aching, as are my hands, and I still have so much to do. Tonight is dedicated to the end of the scraping and caulking. This will make it easier to just jump into priming tomorrow and painting on Wednesday.

On top of this I need to get my house ready for the kids’ birthday party on Saturday. That means getting the backyard organized, the patio cleaned, the house in some state of order and of course food prepped. It seems like a lot and it is, but I have done several soirees and I somehow get it done. I am pushing to have it done before schedule so I can relax with Paul on Friday night.

Even as tears well-up with my “to-do” list growing, I have to be thankful that I have the gumption, resources and time to do these things. If I trudge on each evening for 3 or 4 hours, I should get it done and keep my sanity somewhat intact. Plus going to the gym each morning, like this morning, helps. I wake up feeling beaten down. Once I get to the gym I can walk or bike away from all that stress, push it away with weight training and wash it away with a nice shower. I feel a lot better even though I got started late and only did a half hour, but every minute counts.

I promised pictures. Here’s where I started and here is where I am at right now.

Before

Now

There is still a bit to do, but soon, very soon.

19 Days of Christmas

2009-12-06T19:20:00.000-05:00

It was nice seeing my dad for the holiday. My sisters were there as was my stepbrother and we ate and ate. My dad prefers holidays with the steps so this is pretty much it for the family thing. My sisters and their kids will come over on the 24th, but my dad will spend Christmas with the other kids and that seems to work for everyone.

My contribution this year to the holiday feast was an antipasti platter of cheeses, salami, marinated mushrooms and artichokes, olives, roasted asparagus and pickled beets. Sounds like an odd combination, but I just love this kind of stuff.

We also shared crab legs, ham and tiramisu. As is the usual, I went grocery shopping in my dad’s garden and got some vine ripe tomatoes, collard greens, scallions and a variety of oranges and grapefruits. I also made off with a box of candy my dad snuck to me.

I was too disappointed in the look of the bathroom to do much of anything except scrape paint off the door. I did some caulking, but I was very blue since it seems like such a huge task since the shower must be ready by Friday night when Paul comes over.

It’s sort of embarrassing. My house is in such disarray and Paul is completely put together. I really want to get it together to show him I am not always in a state of chaos and that only causes more stress. I’ll keep trudging on and I will do what I can, hopefully that will be good enough.

20 Days of Christmas

2009-12-05T21:18:00.000-05:00

Now the adventure gets good. Arriving home this afternoon, I was so antsy to get it done that I started painting the walls without primer. 2 hours later I realized that I needed to caulk them and prime them since the yellow stain was coming through. The ceiling is still giving me a hassle as it refuses to be chipped away to its original base. I am going to splurge and get the really good primer and do it right this time, because I need a functioning bathroom by this weekend.

Until then I am using the shower at the gym. It’s really a pretty good plan since I have to go workout then shower and this helps me get off my behind this cookie season. I’m not a gym rat, but I do like getting sweaty and the feeling I get after I workout. It’s the endorphins kicking in that makes me like it, but only after I am done. The queen of excuses, I can avoid the gym almost any time, but when it comes to times like these where I truly have an ulterior motive (to shower) I can make myself go. We’ll see if the habit may stick this time.

Tomorrow starts the social holiday season and I am expected at my father’s home around noon. The gym doesn’t open until 1pm and it’s a 2 hour drive each way, so other plans must be made. I figure a good sponge bath will do, even though it’s about 60 degrees in my house. This is the time of year I usually take warm baths each night before slipping into my snuggly pajamas. Tonight I will need the jammies to keep me warm after the sponging off. It’s really not too bad, but I will have to explain the paint splatters in my hair (even though I covered my head) and the reason I smell like a French whore (just kidding).

For now I just want to watch Doctor Who and forget all the trouble I have gotten myself into.

21 Days of Christmas

2009-12-04T16:06:00.001-05:00

Oh the weather outside is frightful, with a 100% chance for rain and the temperature dropping steadily with each passing hour. And this does not make me want to stay sequestered in my bathroom inhaling primer and paint fumes.

Nothing much has happened in the past 36 hours as it comes to home improvement, but my mood has improved as the weather has gotten worse. I think it’s also that I get to see Paul tonight and that always makes me feel a bit livelier.

We don’t get to spend too much time together since he lives across the bay and is not only working like crazy (he’s a college professor), but also going to school getting his doctorate. It makes me feel a bit lazy really. We find time in between his elaborate papers and my social calendar to get together and spend some quality time.

Tomorrow afternoon I plan on venturing into the world of priming the walls and ceiling, and when that becomes dull and boring, I will continue scraping the paint off the door. This has proven to be a pretty easy task since the blue latex paint comes off pretty easy in plasticy ribbons like peeling a painted nude dancer at Fantasy Fest. The intricate jam and edges are a bit more tiresome, but it all balances out.

I figure if I can get the ceiling and walls painted this weekend, I can focus on the door and cabinet next week and be somewhat ready for the puppies’ birthday. Accessorizing, removing the glass shower doors and frame, as well as painting the fixtures will be completed by Christmas Eve and I will then have the party in my bathroom.

For tonight I will dine with my sweetie, cuddle up on the couch and keep warm in his arms.

I will post pictures soon, but I want to at least have the primer up since it makes the transformation that much more dramatic.

22 Days of Christmas

2009-12-03T21:36:00.000-05:00

The excitement is wearing off and the honeymoon is over with my bathroom redo. To keep the passion alive, I am taking time each day to show this tiny room my love and appreciation hoping that our relationship will last and we can be happy as a couple. It’s not easy since my interest has moved on – to all the craft projects I have assigned myself for the holiday season. But I am willing to make the sacrifice and commit myself to my beloved bathroom.

Love is painful, as showcased by my blistered thumb, but it is also enlightening as we change and grow together.

Want to see something funny?? Here’s Jenny the Pug. I would love to get Polly and Finn to do stuff like this, but I can’t even get them to pee outside all the time.

23 Days of Christmas

2009-12-02T18:44:00.001-05:00

On the 23rd day of Christmas my gumption gave to me a blister on my right thumb from scraping paint off the ceiling. Which I did not complete. I can push through pain, but it came to be too much and I still have about 10% left to go, but I trudged on even though I really didn’t want to. Paul was right though since he said to just do a little and I did and it turned into a lot and now I have a blister. Not too girly, but I think redoing my own bathroom is pretty darn sexy.

I am now reconsidering my art choice for the room. My original thought was a 26” square Warhol Marilyn, but I think Marilyn’s head in more than 2 feet square could be sort of frightening in such a small room. Other considerations are photos that I have taken. I am thinking a montage of pictures both in black and white, and color to spruce up this space. Ren and Paul will have to help me out on this one.

Tonight I shall rest a bit and try to get caught up on bills, Christmas presents and just relaxing. I need some relaxation. Finn went to the vet today for his monthly checkup and things are good, but no change, which means he still needs help. Now we are blending his food since the bugger flips his kibbles out of the water in the bowl instead of drinking the gravy and then eating the food. He isn’t getting enough water to wash the crystals out so now we are to blend his food with the water making a soup – which he ate wonderfully well tonight. He has old age disabilities and he isn’t even one yet. If this doesn’t work then I will have to give him injections twice a day with water under his skin so he is well hydrated. Now is when I start to get really blue. I have so much love for the boy, that I just can’t help get teary-eyed thinking about what he is going through. From the way he acts, he has no sense of it and that is a good thing. My goal: To have him and polly at my wedding (no nothing yet, but I have a feeling.)

So back to redecorating. Tomorrow I plan on giving my thumb a rest and priming the walls and maybe even the cabinets. This way I can paint on Saturday and Sunday evenings and maybe even get the ceiling scraped off.

I can’t lie, I am having fun!

24 Days of Christmas

2009-12-01T15:58:00.001-05:00

On the 25th day of Christmas my gumption gave to me 30 sheets of sandpaper to scour the wood paneling. On the 24th day of Christmas, my gumption gave to me sneezing fits of varnish bits from the scouring my bathroom walls with 30 sheets of sandpaper.

Though not a neat nut, I did have a minor panic last night when the counter, floor, shower and I were covered in dust and a quick prescrape. I had to wipe it all down and sweep up the floor just to be able to rinse off in the shower. How do people do it? I used to get all freaked out with projects like this, tackled alone, but not this time. I am relishing in my effort to singularly take on this mess and make it bright. I keep in focus the beauty that is to come.

However, I am not one of the lucky ones allowed to focus on one sole project at a time. There also is work to be done. My article is coming along and I feel confident that I am becoming, if not already, a healthcare IT expert. But the layers of other tasks keep stacking up and as I metaphorically scrape them away new job jackets appear on my desk to be handled right away. “Nice creative piece, can you cut it a bit … say about half?” or “Remember that newsletter we talked about a few weeks ago? Well here is some copy and you’ll need to do a little research, can I have it tomorrow?” or even “Can you give me about 75 creative words for 3 emails, for this afternoon?” The article is put aside and all these little nits come first so I can think again. I’ll just keep pushing on for now.

But I didn’t push myself too hard last night. I was ill last week and to jump into a vigorous activity like I am all well and good would be insane. Ren made sure I took a break, specifically to watch Heroes and discuss the physical attributes and personalities of select male characters. She also brought over some drapes I am thinking of using in the bathroom, her donation to my cause.

The job is already turning out to be more than I thought and I waylay the anxiety knowing it will somehow get done with baby steps. Today’s gruesome task will be scraping the blue bubbles of paint off the ceiling. These bubbles and dangling pieces of latex flesh have taunted me for a decade. So I just refused to look up, but with the onslaught of prying eyes, I must take into account that what is up, must come down. And down it will come in showering (hopefully lead-free) flecks.

Goggles ready, I will scrape my heart out so I may prime tomorrow! Charge!

The 25 Days of Christmas

2009-11-30T16:30:00.002-05:00

This year will be the first that I host my family in my home for the holiday. Our tradition is to get together on Christmas Eve, since the nieces and nephews have other families and such to visit, so this is the only time we can get together. Unlike a lot of families, this time of year has never been very stressful for me since I make the stop to see the kids on the designated day and then spend Christmas Day with my friends. This year is making up for the past decade as I am already experiencing anxiety attacks that even double doses of Xanax and martinis can’t calm.

You see … I am the odd ball in my family, refusing through just simple choices to remain out of the box finding sitting on the edge a bit more comfortable. I have my own sense of style that no magazine nor Martha Stewart would approve of and never minded until now. There is very little ecru or beige in my home and my decorating motif is bibliophile mixed with crafter and a touch of animal tumbleweeds. There is no theme, unless you count my bowling ball collection in the front garden or the blue glass in the back, and my shabby chic tends a bit toward the shabbier in some eyes. I am assuming (always a bad thing) that I may be the talk of the day after with my kin as the crazy aunt who lives in the shoe.

But the blame for my anxiety isn’t only on how I perceive their perceptions. It is also due to my own expertise at indecisiveness. Until now. I found in my overflowing garage treasures I forgot about and have no one telling me to stop so here I go. With limited funds, friends and cohorts who appreciate my individuality and yes, a lot of creative vigor I am on a mission to not only transform my home in 25 days, but also to create presents for my friends and family and keep myself sane while doing it.

Here’s my game plan. Keep this blog up and running, since it allows me to do one of the things I do best, write. Also I am open to suggestions from readers, inspiration is key for anything creative. In times of stress the most important thing to do is to stay calm, so at the top of my list is a very healthy diet, daily exercise and meditation, and playing with all of my four-legged kids. Then comes painting, cleaning, knitting, cooking and wrapping all of the goodies I hope to bestow on gracious loved ones. It will be difficult, but when I think about all the work others are doing, I can keep up for at least a month and have fun doing it.

This week’s task: Re-do the hideous bathroom with what I have. This means spending next to nothing and retooling those things I already have such as paint, curtains, elbow grease, friend’s leftovers and dollar store finds. Plus a lot of hope!

We start with painting the dark wood paneling that has haunted me for 10 years, the ceiling which has had a sunburn peel forever and the door. I may even do the cabinets as well to give the basin a new feel. This should take a week of evenings after work and a Saturday of finishing. I would love to show it off the next time Paul stops by.

Ren has offered some finds from her garage to help out, draperies to enliven the room and a Web site to inspire and learn from. I may ask Paul for some help hanging lighting and other crafty ideas (he is a very creative man) and see what else my pals have to get rid of. It’s a small bathroom, but already I feel like taking all those projects that promised to be completed and egging them on to completion. No walls will be torn down or windows crashed through, just a few coats of paint, some hopeful finds in the mess called my garage and champagne toasts as I soak in my luxurious bath.

Plus as an extra incentive, since the shower will be out of commission for a week or so, I will be off to the gym each morning to workout and shower. That will be a nice touch to relieve the stress of the holiday and open myself up to a new habit.

From The Abyss

2009-11-10T15:43:00.002-05:00

Ten years ago, I had no idea where I would be in ten years. Would I be married? Would I have my own business? Would I be happy with my house? Would I, Could I, Should I encompassed only a few moments of my thinking. Now I am planning for the next ten years and wondering where it will take me.

But I am getting ahead of myself. Where have I been for the past 5 weeks? It’s hard to say it all in one piece, but I lack the patience to spread it out into several posts and being as I am sans home computer, I have to make due with what I have.

Yes, no computer. My laptop took a dive into my glass of water and subsequently passed out when I tried to perform mouth to mouth. Fortunately, a skilled computer geek has taken his light saber of computer savvy to fix it, but I must be a bit more Amish for the next couple weeks. No biggie, I need time away from my laptop since our relationship had become unhealthy and I was only using him to catch up on missed episodes of Gossip Girl. (Also during the same week I killed my phone and my cable remote – it’s like I have a Heroes’ ability, but haven’t figured out how to use it for good yet.)

Plus, I have a few other plans for the coming weeks without being plugged in. I am spending my time with Finn and Polly keeping up the good feelings since it is the cheapest form of entertainment right now. Money is very tight, like college tight, and since I already deposited all my funds into my puppy’s health, I figure I can make a few withdrawals of fun love. My boy’s prognosis is still in the gray range, but we will be doing monthly tests just to make sure that no more stones form and that he can still be a puppy for a while. To help me through is my BFF Polly and she is my world, I am so glad she was given up and I took her. She and I couldn’t have been such a great pair with anyone else. I am still very anti-Noah’s but the conundrum is whether to file a complaint against them for their inept medical care or just slam them in every other medium. Just don’t go there, trust me!

Today is significant since it is a middle day of sorts. In one month, on Dec. 10 we will be celebrating the 1st b-day of my kids along with Angus, Maggie, Daisy and the other one (we called her Diva). It also was one month ago that I met my new boyfriend, Paul. We are in that great romantic phase right now, but with a twist of maturity that I have never experienced before. I don’t want to go into detail since that wouldn’t be fair to him, but I will say to the heavens, “It’s about time you sent me a prince.”

And there was Halloween which revolved around the All Hallow’s Ball, a private event at the Tampa Convention Center. I would show you the pics, but since they are on my gasping computer I can’t. The theme was the Candy Shop and let me tell you, there was some pretty eye candy there. Generally considered a gay event, this annual ball brings out all the crazies and those men with the crazy, perfect muscles, as well as beautiful coifs and visages. It was a Pride parade indoors. It was a night of Gay Care as my mantourage of Chris, Guy and Patrick accompanied me as Licorice Whips decked out all in black perfectly accessorized with whips. We had a blast!

That pretty much sums up the past month and a half. It has been a lot to handle and the holiday season is only gearing up. But all is well, my Finn is healthy, my computer will soon return to me from across the watery divide, Paul is happily a part of my life and I am ready to celebrate. Plus, I have a plethora of recipes to try and knitting items to design so all is well.

Thanks for being patient and soon, very soon I will return with my witty charms.

Some of the best things come in small packages

2009-10-04T18:38:00.000-04:00

I spent the weekend mostly at home with the sick boy and was getting ready to go stir crazy after watching too much biography TV. Chris, being the savior that is always is, came to my rescue as company on Sunday. This gave me the opportunity to not only spend time 2-days-in-a-row with one of my best friends, but also gave me someone to cook for.

I treated him to an impressive nosh that was neither time consuming or pricey, thanks to Swanson’s and some smart buying.

Polenta rounds with beef tenderloin

This stackable treat is a 4 stepper with each one cooked or prepared individually and then assembled. I think this would be a great treat for a party giving a sense of gourmet taste with a simple sense that you have satisfied yourself. I made a plate of these and they could have been a meal, in fact 4 stackers were my lunch the next day.

Polenta – very exotic and yet so easy and versatile. I used a cornmeal that I bought at the South American market for making arepas. I think they are pretty much all the same thing in a way, but for those purists let’s just go with my polenta title.

I used the directions on the bag and mixed a cup of cornmeal with 1-1/2 cups of boiling water and salt. I mixed it all up and as it formed a dough I added pepper and parmesan cheese.

When it cooled a bit, I rolled out little 2” patties of corn and pan fried them in canola oil until both sides were golden brown and the insides were still soft.

While I cooked these batches of goodness, I chopped up the salad to sandwich between the polenta and beef. Using what I had on hand and a little spark of creativity, I made an artichoke and sundried tomato salad.

Artichoke and sundried tomato salad
Half a can of quartered artichoke hearts
About 8 halves of sundried tomatoes packed in oil
4 queen size Spanish olives
2 thin scallions
Lemon zest from half a lemon
Juice from half a lemon
Drizzle of olive oil
Pepper

Chop everything up and mix in a bowl. Easy. Set aside as you prep the beef.

I already had a small tenderloin cooked to medium rare from a few nights before. I sliced it into thin slices (against the grain) and quickly heated them through in the hot pan I cooked the polenta rounds in. Just quickly in the pan, flip and out.

Time to assemble and only one ingredient left – horseradish mustard. This should be a staple in everyone’s pantry. In fact, my mustard collection is becoming quite substantial as I cook more since it is such a versatile ingredient. In this case, there was no need to doctor it up, I let it be as it was. However, if you want to add a bit more radishy feel, I suggest adding some regular horseradish to the mustard and get a bigger bite of sinus clearing wonder.

Polenta round
A teaspoon of artichoke salad
The beef slice
A drizzle of horseradish mustard

That’s it. They look elegant and usually seemed to be about 2 to 3 bites. Best eaten with a knife and fork on a mini plate, so you don’t lose any salad, these appetizers will always get noticed and are definitely worth your while to serve.

Plus, I got all the ingredients on the cheap, so it wasn’t bad on my thin pocketbook.

Give It AWAY!

2009-10-03T16:11:00.000-04:00

I had a great time at the Crescent Lake yard sale. Though I have a bunch more to sell, I did pretty well with 3 empty boxes at the end of the day. Marit had reserved 6 spots for her, her cousin, a few friends, Ren and I. Ren concentrated on selling her artwork and did pretty well. She even got me to buy something (though it is for a gift.) I exchanged money for my memories and parted with concert T-shirts, posters, books, DVDs, VHS tapes (really) and other trinkets like glassware, toys and clothes.

The biggest deal was selling Guy’s Digits poster that he donated to the cause. It actually got the asking price. He also donated shakers, bowling toys – which went like hotcakes, and clothes which were grabbed up by the hunky guys strolling the park. Chris also helped out donating books that were immediately grabbed up and padded my pocket with a few bucks. The reason these guys were helping with cleaning out their own closets was because I have become a little strapped for cash with Finn’s medical bills.

So the season has begun and I will be having sales once a month to relinquish my dusty old ways and make room for new funds and Finn’s health. It feels very liberating to get rid of all this. Plus, I like chatting with people and making them happy with my old treasures.

Creature Comforts

2009-10-01T11:05:00.000-04:00

Everyone has their favorite comfort foods and reasons why they seek comfort in these foods. For me it is a bit different since when I truly need to be comforted because of something like a sick puppy, I find my solace in not only the food, but cooking it, savoring it and delighting in treating myself well. Comfort foods are not those things eaten mindlessly and never truly tasted, these are about filling your belly as much as giving you that warm feeling all over.

Sure, like many, I have those minor emotional breaks where a hamburger (El Cap’s) or something sugary sweet (Cupcake Spot or other gourmet cake store) will fit the bill. But when life has dragged me from one goal post to another, I need something that will feed not only my stomach, but my soul.

And this usually means going for meat. I don’t know why in my darkest hours, I crave the flesh of another animal, but I do and it is usually beef. Slow braised, grilled, roasted or just about any cooking method will suffice to put a few bits of rare cow on my plate. I am thankful this beast sacrificed him/herself for me (unintentionally of course.) Getting to my plate and to my mouth is as much a relaxing joy as the actual eating.

Tonight I made something pretty easy and yet so tasty: Beef Loin with broccoli slaw. See I told you it was simple. Confession: I had originally planned on making this into a pizza with the dough I just made, but the dough didn’t turn out right for some reason, so I just kept it sans the simple starches and salvaged the dough for a quick dessert.

Beef Tenderloin (they usually come 2 to a pack, so I roast both and that way I have a head start on a meal for later.) Follow the directions which pretty much says to cook each pound for 28 minutes. This gives a nice medium cook. I cut it back a tiny bit for a more rare texture.

The slaw started out as carmelized red onion and yellow pepper for the pizza, but to stretch it out (and because I was having one of my broccoli cravings, I added the bag of slaw, some chopped up sundried tomatoes and the oil from the tomatoes to quickly sauté the slaw. It’s a colorful and healthful treat that also is filling and feels a bit decadent with the carmelized onions and rich sundried tomatoes.

A mound of veggies, thinly sliced loin (about 1/3 of a loin) and a drizzled of prepared horseradish sauce and I was feeling better already.

I am keeping my portions to smaller limits and eating a bit more often. This is a perfect dish for something like that. Then instead of watching TV and concentrating more on the show than on the meal, I sat in candlelight by the window and slowly devoured my comfort food. It’s nice to treat yourself well and to reflect on what you have to be thankful for. I was thankful that Finn was better, that I had coworkers who helped me not lose time in my work tasks, for friends who were there with a shoulder to cry on and a spark of humor to make me laugh, for the talent to make such a lovely dish, and for the self worth that let me treat myself well and be comforted doing it.

But there was dessert to eat as well. The pizza dough didn’t rise like it normally does so I was debating whether to toss it or get a bit creative. I can never pass up a creative project.

I rolled 2” balls in my palms and flattened them into about 3” rounds. A slather of lemon curd and raw sugar on top with granny smith apple slices and bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes ( I rotated my pan ever 10 min.) Then mix sweetened, condensed milk (I always have some in the fridge and prefer the fat free variety here) with a tablespoon of curd, lemon juice and some zest. Whip it up and if needed thin with a dash of warm water (remember you can keep adding, but you can’t take away so just a few drops.) Drizzle while still warm and eat.

Juror decision: leave off the apple and load up on the lemon curd. That was delicious and a bit too satisfying. The dough has a thicker consistency and made this dessert a bit heavier than I had planned, but it was delicious.

Some other favorite comfort foods? Baked mac and cheese (individually done with a toasted breadcrumb coating), braised short ribs in wine, simple guacamole with Tostito lime chips, grilled gouda cheese sandwich with sliced green apple and tomato bisque, steamed shrimp with cocktail sauce (peeling them myself as I pop them in my mouth) and sushi (which I go out for.)

What are some of the foods that feed your soul and give you a real sense of warmth?

The Waiting Truly Is The Hardest Part

2009-09-29T12:27:00.000-04:00

Finn is at his regular vet’s office and in the best hands. There’s hope now-something I haven’t felt in days. For 57 hours (about), I have been going through such a rollercoaster of emotions from feeling he will be OK, to praying he doesn’t die, to trying to keep it together and then falling apart. I have pushed away my friends hating to ask them for help when they have their own problems, and then running to them afraid that my world will change forever.

My feelings go from selfless and thinking only of Finn and the pain and fear he has felt over the past few days personifying this ordeal and my feelings for Polly who is missing her constant companion. Then it all switches and I get selfish hating that I have to deal with this with no partner by my side (even when I did have a partner I still dealt with things like this alone) and facing the facts that my financial future is at odds with making any kind of sense.

Through all this, I now sit feeling … ??? I ate for the first time in 48 hours and drank a bit of wine and though I am not buzzed, I am wowed that I am neither crying nor feeling giddy like I did when I knew Dr. Aimee was taking care of my little boy. It’s a deeper sense of something, but I don’t know what. I need to sleep, I need a hug, I need my baby boy back in my arms.

This not only changes my plans for the remainder of the year, it releases me from the need to control my life. I have no control. Finn’s illness proves that and since it could be an ongoing prognosis, I am left to try to just live in the moment. Good luck.

So instead of planning my trip to Spain, I learn Spanish recipes. Instead of working to open a gallery, I will hone my artistic skills and hopefully make a name and some money for myself (to pay of this brilliant bill the bad vet left me.) And instead of feeling fabulous about my new look and getting out there to find a date (which costs money), I will spend more time with my poor friends who seem to truly understand me. Wanna come?

How much can one little boy take

2009-09-28T12:04:00.000-04:00

I never sleep in. I am very Ben Franklin that way with my early to bed and early to rise. Even when I go to bed late, I usually am still up by 8:30 at the latest. Sunday was different since I groggily rolled out of bed around 10:30. This meant that the dogs patiently waited for me to release them from their crate to go potty. So in the excruciating heat of the morning (even in September) I let them out and realized something was wrong. Finn was straining (no need for details) and he was in pain. At first I just thought he went in his bed and was trying to act like he didn’t, but something was seriously wrong, I just knew it.

After a couple phone calls to back up my suspicions, we rushed to the emergency animal hospital, though this mommy was so frazzled and not thinking she picked one that didn’t care at all about his well-being (Noah’s). I should have gone to one that was closer to Guy’s and where Finn had his first surgery, but I was so paranoid for my little boy that I just went with the first name that popped into my head.

Reasons I will never go to Noah’s again:

· Finn is in pain and they made me wait an hour to get help (I had to get mad to get help)

· They shared with me that he would possible die (not sugar coated or “there could be the possibility”, but instead cold and harsh “he’s got a 50/50 chance.”)

· Made me wait to see him before surgery (another hour of me waiting as they were prepping him, and I threw a fit in the lobby to get their attention.)

· Didn’t even do the surgery right the first time and wanted to cut him again to charge me more.

· The attendants are bimbettes who rarely, if ever, showed any sense of compassion for the animals there.

After I threw the fit, they were nice. I usually don’t throw fits, I like being nice, but they had me to the very end of my thread and they had to deal with it.

Elizabeth Kubler Ross says there are stages of grief. My love for Finn is terminal and when he is so sick like this I go through them.

Denial – it’s really nothing, he’ll be fine, and I’ll change his food and no worries

Anger – How much can one little boy take, he’s only 9 months and who in the hell do you think you are for keeping him from me?

Bargaining – Begging God to please let him be OK, he is such a good boy and brings so much joy to everyone.

Depression – I don’t recall ever crying so much and feeling so helpless.

Acceptance – No matter what, I will be the best mommy to my little love.

The prognosis was a ruptured bladder. He went into surgery an hour later and I went to Patty’s to self medicate. Polly was with me the whole time and was the best BFF ever. Now I turn my attentions to her and keeping her from feeling lonely. She also is the love of my life. My kitties too know something is up and we have all come together to pray for our little boy’s recovery.

The doctor’s don’t feel that he has very long, but we are going to do what we can. It is going to be expensive and on a tight budget, that will put a bit more strain on me, but I can do it. I always do.

I love you Finn.