Desert Magnolia

Holy shit, I'm about to complete two full sets of thirty, and to begin my third. My son provided the sets of thirty idea, and I like it. It also kind of made me gag a little to think of it that way, my life, broken into not decades, now, but sets of three decades. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little intimidated by the idea of not only completing my 50's but entering my 60's. I want to do it with a bang, not a whimper, and I want to power into the whole next era with a bit of aplomb, some grace, a bit of sass, and a fair amount of deepseated optimism about what's ahead. April 4, 1963. It was a Thursday. 7:30 a.m. And there I came after what my mom says was a fairly short though predictably intense labor. My mom, a progressive, used hypnotherapy to manage her labor and deliver me. 7 lb. 8 oz. of baby girl. I was not a good napper, apparently, though Mom could have used more breaks from my energy, which I'm told was considerable. I was 100% on, or dead to the worl...

At the beginning of this semester I decided to head back into omnivore status from Primal status in terms of nutritional choices. After 2 1/2 years of vilifying grains of all kinds, most sugar, spending inordinate amounts of time conjuring up ways to wrap things to create sandwich-like foods, and boring every single one of my family members and friends with the idealized Primal approach, I threw in the towel. I had begun to dislike meat. I had begun to have fantasies about toast and the occasional tortilla. I thought long and hard about making the change, and then went for it. I began heading in a mostly plant protein vs animal protein direction, and have settled on the Mediterranean Diet. Diet is a misnomer; it's a way of life, sustainable forever. It's ridiculously similar to the way I ate growing up. It's deliciousness with lots of fresh veggies, herbs, lean proteins, plenty of good fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts, coconut oil), and the approach produces beautiful, a...

For me, suddenly not doing something I've been doing religiously can be the best way to appreciate how well that thing I had been doing, but am currently not doing for whatever reason, has been working. Case in point? The Primal/Paleo diet. In recent weeks I've been busy, stressed, lazy, hungry, cranky, stressed, and feeling like I'm barely hanging on by a thread most days. I've begun to look at that trend of mostly negative stuff to identify factors I can control, because seriously, who wants to be a cranky butt so much of the time? In all fairness to my life, I have complicated it beyond reason, so any deviation from a solid routine can throw things off in a hurry. Lately, there have been several things that have qualified - daughter's surgery; hubby's backpacking trip; school deadlines; and natural hormone fluctuation that has begun to intensify, and which may require much more focus to manage in the months to come. So the stuff that has arrived, unp...

Have you ever had a getaway that, the more you looked back on it, the better it became? The ones that fall into that category are rare and precious and buoy the spirit for years to come, I've found. Our big birthday trip to Seattle falls into that category. Every time I share memories with someone, I realize just how amazing it all was. It felt..fast, but we relaxed. It felt comprehensive in many ways, but we took our time. It felt langorous, yet we did and saw a lot. Magic, yes? I think so. Mostly I think these magical moments are about the people involved, and how they flow together and enjoy time and generally just relax into each others' company and simply enjoy whatever happens. In this case, JL knew when we wanted to head out and explore, and when relaxing and just 'being' were the ticket. And as a tour guide, well...she cares about and sees life very similarly to us, so naturally the stuff she showed us, we totally enjoyed. Apparently we all roll the s...

One of GG's friends is a musician, in fact he teaches it, and he's good. He plays the piano, often with a couple of other band people and they make nice jazzy music. Tonight he's playing at Mykonos, our favorite neighborhood Greek restaurant. Their food is traditional and delicious. Their bar is full service, so if you're in the mood for a glass of wine or a killer martini, you're set. I'm not sure what I'm in the mood for yet. But I'll know when I sit down. We're meeting friends. A couple we've known for 26 years, and in fact who attended our wedding and whose wedding we attended and with whom we've raised our 4 children (collectively) and who feel much more like family than many family members to us. They're awesome. And a former colleague of GG's, who is funny and cool, and who lived in the Middle East with her ex, and with whom we share fun stories and who really convinced us to spend next Christmas at her timeshare in Mexic...

After several months of learning more, and mostly adhering to a Primal diet, I'm finding that some interesting things have happened. Warning: If you just aren't interested in this aspect of my life, leave now. There's not too much else in the post besides more talk of music, some thoughts on studying for my first exam and the soul deep concentration required to choose a color for the pedi I intend to get on the way home today.  Ok, then. If you're still here, you care about what I've noticed since embarking upon this Primal journey. Or you care about what color I'm thinking for a mid-Winter toe treat. Either way, hi. So at first the Primal thing is weird. We spend a remarkable amount of time baking, enjoying foods full of grains, eating rice and let's not get started on soy. No sirree. There is a lot of creating a new awareness of what to avoid. Which feels a little restrictive, but that goes away pretty quickly. Breakfasts can be a little monotonous...

Why? Well, does there really need to be a reason? And what tea master was sitting around one day trying to come up with awesome variations on the tea theme and said, "I think I'll combine a nice Earl Grey with some steamed milk, add a little vanilla syrup, and for a top note add some Blue Eyes floral"? I really don't care the rationale behind the decision, I just completely, fully and wholeheartedly support the invention. I big pink puffy heart London Fogs with Blue Eyes. Cheers!

My morning began well, then progressed to better, then just continued on into awe.some. The propellant from better to awesome? A vanilla latte from The Grove. Andrew smiled at me as handed it to me, and I noticed he'd designed an absolutely beautiful, intricate leaf pattern into the foamy top. It made me grin like a loon, then thank him profusely for taking the time. Because we both knew he could have just plopped the lid on my cup and I'd never have known. But he didn't. He took the time, and for his effort received an enormous, appreciative grin. And then he grinned back and admitted that sometimes just a little gesture on someone's part can make a huge difference in a day. He was right. Thank you Andrew.

Seriously. You'd think that arranging a trip the likes of ours would be a piece of cake. That travel agents would grab at the chance to book us. Apparently not. Apparently nobody seems to know where to stay in Paris, and unless they're getting a rather substantial cut of an airline fare, they don't look for good deals. This is a fact which has upset G.G. and caused a series of events to begin that include but certainly aren't all inclusive: We bitch and carry on and then do what we (probably) should have done in the first place, which is to do our research on our damned flights and book 'em. Period. There are hops and there are variables, but if you're a travel agent, aren't you supposed to take that in stride? I mean, what the hell else do you do all day but figure out options for your clients??? That's your frickin' job. We decide if we want to go through Boston or NYC, then choose. Just make a decision, and book. We concoct a meal tha...

Mom shared a book with me while she was here, Primal Body, Primal Mind, by Nora Gedgaudas.  Link to her Blog. Gedgaudas'  premise is that we are essentially the same beings we were when we were hunter gatherers, and aren't evolved enough to digest and utilize our diets that are so rich in grains and carbs and sugars and such. We're behind our very own supply chain, as it turns out. Mom said it was thought provoking, to say the least, and that it was helping her change her diet in a way that was already making her feel better, overall. She gave me a copy, and I began it last night. So far I'm kind of obsessed because it's incredibly well written, exhaustively researched and really gets to the core of why so many diets, and you can probably name 5 from recent fad history, don't work. Low fat high carb is essentially a toxic mix designed to leave you hungry and make you crave sugars. And the food pyramid, don't get her started on that beast that has...

It has been pointed out to me that I tend to fixate. On food. On vampires. On movies. On shoes. On exercise. On writing. On life's purpose. All I have to say to that observation is, no shit. I mean, come on. Without food, vamps (and sex is intrinsically tied into that by the way, I didn't omit it by accident), shoes, working out and why we're here? What's the point? Some people. Just because I'm feeling a little obnoxious,  I'm going to share tonight's meal plan.  I think this might also prove the fixation point once and for all, in case there was ever any doubt. :-) It's been a long, weird week, so a gentle, cool dinner is in order. I think the patio will serve beautifully as the spot tonight, as dinner will be later than usual due to GG's team playing soccer down in Belen (aka the dark side of the moon) this afternoon. Chilled shrimp on ice, with hot cocktail sauce; Feta and grilled peppers (spread over the crustini); Sour...

Last week during a mid-week Trader Joe's run I saw figs. Fresh ones, two types, in their produce section. Seeing them made me remember a post-wedding brunch that some friends hosted. They'd served fresh, halved figs, accompanied by brie and honey..and I think port if you wanted that, or espresso. The delicate sweetness coupled with the cheese and honey? Amazing, a memory that even after all these years remains strong. So I had the flashback/memory, but passed the figs by. Until Saturday morning. I was pleased to see they had plenty left, and they looked lovely. At the same time I purchased figs, I also grabbed proscuitto. Which I then used to wrap the figs that I'd halved, then stuffed with feta...and then I broiled them. Result? Most delicious appetizer, enjoyed on patio, accompanied by a cranberry pomegranate martini while a soft rain fell. The smell of the rain and the wet earth, combined with the earthy delicate sweetness of the figs/feta/proscuitto? A.mazing. ...

Saturday night we're having dinner at some friends' house. They're old, dear friends, in fact if you've been following me for long you may have read about their wedding. Their original invite said to just come, don't worry about bringing anything, etc., but really, that's never ok in my book. So I volunteered to make an Angel Food cake with European Bittersweet Chocolate Glaze, right out of Joy of Cooking. I've been wanting to make this for awhile, and this couple is a perfect audience - they love good food, they appreciate the art of dining and so they're perfect to share something like this with. What I was thinking of making So we had a plan. Except then hubby started *'suggesting' that I make cheesecake with cherry topping that I make from our own cherries. That happen to be abundant right now. *Note: hubby is a Taurus, and really stubborn by nature. And a Taurus. And he really really likes cheesecake with cherry topping. Really. ...

Remember this book? It was so fun to read to the kids..and the illustrations were amazing! Some things stick, and endure the test of time. This morning, on the way in to work, I looked up at the sky and thought, 'Pancakes and butter and warm syrup falling out of the sky onto my plate, now wouldn't that be cool??!!' Clearly, it's been a long week. And now I'm starving. Again.

There was no darkness, just good food, giggles and warmth, and the togetherness we clearly all needed so very much. There was also dessert deliciousness. Daughter did an absolutely amazing job creating a pumpkin pie from Heaven. And she and I collaborated on a chocolate cheesecake, which also came out great! She believes her work with the Oreo crust is the reason, because we all know how important a great crust is on a cheesecake. Post Turkey snarf there was...relaxing by the fire, then shopping like maniacs on Friday, then more relaxing and eating and then putting up the Christmas tree..with a houseful of Daughter's friends to assist, which they did, and it was lovely. There was..Hubby's pork red chili, green chili turkey enchiladas, queso and chips..and toppings, of course..to fuel the tree trimming team. And now, now we resume life. Daughter is back at school, forging ahead through her first college final prep/finals. She'll be fine, this we know, but it has been...

Our Thanksgivings have been very traditional, and continue to be this year as well per a specific request from Daughter who really really wanted us to do the whole thing one more time. So we agreed. My friend KS and her fam were on the beach last year at a mini family reunion. They all rented a big place, then made a turkey dinner, then played on the beach. Bikinis and turkey? Not really designed to go together, but they made it work, and it turned out to be their best Thanksgiving ever. Hubby and I have been yearning for that type of experience, and will most likely work toward that next year. A house, on the beach, cooking a nice but simpler feast, then hanging out on the beach afterwards. We'll import both of our offspring and simply enjoy the gathering as a smaller unit, on our terms. But this year we're going traditional. What that looks like? Dinner at our house. We invite fam and any friends who'd like to join us. I get up very early to prepare the bird...

I find the concept of terroir particularly compelling. Perhaps it's the hedonist in me. Perhaps it's the elemental tie to the earth. Perhaps I love this concept because it feels so antithetical to so much of what is happening today. It means, 'of the earth.' The longer definition, per terroir.france.com, ' A " terroir " is a group of vineyards (or even vines) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation, and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions, grapes and wine making savoir-faire, which contribute to give its specific personality to the wine. I love this definition. If you really know wines, then, you can taste not just the type of wine that you're sampling, but the terroir from which it originates. I, alas, do not pos...

If you've ever spent any time in NYC, you know what I'm talking about here. The most wonderful bakery in probably the entire universe. Specializing in cupcakes, though strong in the cakes and other sweet treats arena. Between meetings, late one afternoon, Erin and I decided we needed a little boost, and what do you know, right around the corner from the Time Warner building (where we'd experienced a signin process that rivaled the best airport security I've encountered, complete with the bag search/scan...), there was a Magnolia Bakery. It was kismet. Our choice? Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. And a milk. Because really, that or a big coffee are the only way to wash the creamy red velvet yumminess down in our humble opins. Red velvet cupcakes. Picture from Food Network.com We chose to indulge in said cupcakes in Rockefeller Center. By the fountain, which, at that moment, was full of cranberries and Ocean Spray workers dressed in chest wader...

I love Grandma Gin. You all know this. But here's what I noticed while attending the monthly Lunch with the Girls from the Retirement Home..at a really lovely Northern Italian restaurant that's been around for decades and serves us deliciousness on a plate. But I digress. I got excited about the food again and forgot my own point. Sigh. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be the one to get loopy first in my old age, but Hubby announced the other day that wouldn't be fair because I'm a handful with some lucidity and if I go loopy..he might just be in over his head. Whatever. Anyway, so at lunch today with the girls....(and their 'Lifestyles Director', a very tiny, middle aged, mild mannered man who used to be a teacher but now prefers to direct the lifestyles of the retired, it seems)...I noticed my Gran, who generally delivers her opinion under her breath, which means most of her friends don't hear what she says but I have perfectly good hearing and...

Daughter is settled. Mama is adjusting to the new reality. Hubby is exhibiting signs of missing the girl, too, which is to be expected. They were joined at the hip from very early on. Share a love for soccer, a similar sense of humor, and pretty much no patience for BS. It's cool, their relationship. A girl with a strong bond with her dad is in a good place, in my mind. I loved my dad fiercely, and there was never any doubt he felt the same about me. It made my decisions early in life easier knowing no matter how badly I botched things, Daddy would be there with a hug, a smile, and some good advice for me while I brushed my skinned knees off. While there, I stayed in a hotel in Sekonk, Mass. Daughter goes to school in Providence. It's really not that far, just about 20 minutes on the freeway, but a state line is crossed. And recrossed, and crossed again on the late night trip back. Daughter has a really sweet roommate, who also plays soccer, and honestly seems to be t...