Random Tidbits

Dear two readers,

It has been months since my last post. We have gone from the first buds of spring to the first chill of fall. What the fuck, eh? I am not entirely sure where the summer went to. I am now without a camera so you are saved from skill-less shots of my food or the dust bunny in the corner. You are welcome. Though I can’t really take the credit. I did however make it to the beach this year. The first year in a VERY long time. I don’t think I have been on an American beach since my childhood. This summer, however, I said enough is enough. I am going on a trip, with my fella. Another first. At least of the totally for fun variety. So we packed ourselves off to the beach for two whole nights and had a fabulous time. The room was nice but not fancy. It did include a balcony that looked out over the bay or some such. From that balcony I enjoyed two sunsets and a cheap beer on ice with lime. Yes. I. Did. Tacky? Oh yes. Soo delicious. We had at least two meals that were so huge I was reduced to hysterical tears. I was so sure that the fella had embarrassed me by ordering a meal described as a “feast”(I threatened to move tables) that when my pasta came and was approximately the size of a bird bath I thought I would die. So, instead of trying to play the whole thing down, I burst into shrieks and insisted that the poor man heft it himself in order to see just how heavy it was. It went on and on. I was completely unable to answer the waitress when she asked “Are you all doing o.k.” Luckily the fella is a very good sport. I also sat on the beach. In a beach chair with a cooler and an umbrella. Very bizarre. I got thrown around by the waves, thank you tropical storm Danny, and saw my first ever sand fiddler. Totally fabulous. Also, there were wild horses and clouds of dragon flies. On the way home we took a driving tour of most of the eastern shore and got out to collect shells in Cape Charles. The towns were very charming, minus the Kay Kay Kay sign and the very pungent Tyson’s plant. currently I am enjoying my porch and listening to my neighbors having a sing along. Someone got their guitar out. It is actually pretty great.

xo,

LB

Snow and Sweets

Well, we finally got some snow to speak of, which is the only reason for it to be so damn cold outside.

I spent quite a few minutes with the fella flashing my camera into the night and watching the air fill with tiny lights.

We also have had some beautiful days since that night. Warm and with sun and the windows open and they came just in time.

There is a light at the end of the Winter tunnel. I have never noticed a winter so tough. I am sure that the atmosphere around the country has it’s say in what is going on this Winter. In these last days, though, you can feel the spring coming. My Lilac tree has tiny little buds. The other night when the fella and I were getting out of the car on the farm, you could smell it. The moon was working up to tonight and the hills were bright and the deer were foraging and you could smell the earth for sure.

Good sign.

Also, in the land of random kitchen/food projects some of us manged to make a very successful batch of caramels.

We also managed to get another delicious dinner out of Elsie while we were there. She is getting the short end of the stick, but don’t tell.

We celebrated our achievement with homemade mac and cheese and golden beets.

Some pics.

Sweet.

xo,

LB

All of the friends that we knew yesterday….

We are in the dark days round here.

I will agree with Elsie that the blogging about household tasks just doesn’t seem right at the moment.

Now, more than ever is the time to be grateful.

xo,

LB

Some Brief Things

No not underpants.

I must take down the tree this weekend even though it is so pretty and so cheery.

(The twelve days are over, friends)

Tomorrow I get raw milk and butter!

I must cook this weekend for the week ahead. I must.

Had a date with my Mum tonight. She is faboo.

Next projects up:

caramels.

Lip balm/ body butter.

All my theatre homework.

Did I mention the butter?

xo,

LB

Xmas all over.

Running around like crazy working and shopping and wrapping and practicing

+

Time spent with friends making pressies, holding the 5th Annual Country Christmas Show, giving gifts that folks enjoy

=

Fabulous seasonal fun.

Also, there is much more to come. Christmas number two with my family, Lots of delicious sweets, exchanging gifts with friends and hopefully a bit more holiday cheer!

Merry, Merry!

xo,

LB

I wish for peace…

Not in the world.

I am greedy but not delusional.

In the hearts and minds of the people I love,

I wish for peace.

Maybe from Father Christmas?

xo,

LB

Thankful, again.

I have to first say that I am not that into Thanksgiving. It was a day that we celebrated growing up, but our hearts were never really in it. An excuse for turkey. However, these days my Mother usually works, my Sis has in-laws to celebrate with, the fella goes to see his family and I usually only have that one day off so I stay put.

The last two years I have done nothing for Thanksgiving. This year I had no plans (other than laundry) and it turns out neither did my friend Tron. So we decided to get together and cook whatever the hell we had. He rode over with his fixins and fried himself some chicken and made brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes and I made the pasta with spinach and tuna I was planning on. I made some rice pudding and he brought himself a pumpkin pie. We opened some wine and cooked and talked and ate and talked and he even did the dishes!

Then Tron headed out and I got a call from Starrhillgirl that she was home safe and sound from her T-day trek and heading over for a drink. She is on vactation don’t ya know? We jabbered into the wee hours and then everyone went to bed. I enjoy my no plan Thanksgivings. Though, this year I wound up doing quite a bit I just didn’t have any plans. I am also very grateful and maybe it is easier to remember when you aren’t whizzing around trying to make a feast happen, I don’t know. I know  I have a warm home and lovely food, not to mention coffee! I have a fabulous family and super-human friends and my fella is better than any other fella. It was a nice day.

Just the pics

A Big Fucking Day

Yesterday I woke early. Just a little early, so there would be plenty of time for a visit before work. Yesterday morning I met a brand new person. We have been waiting for him for a very long time, years. He was tiny (4.14 pounds) and perfect. His gorgeous tiny fingernails, so light. I held him for an hour straight. His mother and father so happy, and nervous and at peace. This was just the beginning.

Last night I watched in a small crowd of people as we got our first black President. It was also the first time I have heard a politician say this country is for Gay and Straight, not just black and white, male and female, rich and poor.

Wooooooo Hoooooooo!

xo,

LB

Wine Dinner Loire

We finally made our third wine dinner happen! We chose wines from the Loire Valley and it was J and T’s turn to host. So Jedidiah came to fetch me and the salad and we stopped to grab another bottle on the way out of town. It is important to note that Jedidiah was actually wearing the infamous “driving mocs”. He also speeds. Maybe it is the shoes?

We arrived at J&T’s a bit late after getting lost, but luckily, Jedidiah was also driving at 90 miles an hour so it didn’t waste too much time. J came to meet us at the car and we stepped out into the night. The wind was blowing just a bit, carrying the smoke of the wood stove. The Black Walnut trees were standing like giant dark skeletons against the royal midnight colour of the sky.

Gross, huh?

So we settled in and opened our first wine. We had Jean Francois Merieau “Bulles”, a sparkling wine that we assume is made from Chenin Blanc.

Before the Pop.

This wine was really good. Full of bright pretty flavours with a dry finish and nice mineral/chalky notes.

We had this before dinner and also with the salad that started the meal.

Our salad was Red Leaf lettuce and Arugula with Chives, Red Onion, toasted Pine Nuts, shaved Parmesan, Capers, Cukes, hard boiled egg and a red wine vinegar/mustard dressing. It was pretty darn tasty and the wine worked really well with it.

After the salad we switched to wine number two. Some how we got through wines #2, 3 and 4 over the main course. It was a little fast for me but we were trying to keep up with Jedidiah! Wine #2 was Domaine aux Moines 1999 Savennieres. It was a beautiful gold colour but initially a little disappointing. Slightly oxidized and not much on the palate. We were served Trout fillets baked, then finished with rosemary butter and a bit of Parsley. With this we had Rosemary, Potato Ciabatta topped with ricotta and Acorn Squash and drizzled with Fig/Date Balsamic. This is when we start to feel a more boo boo than we care to. However, it was deeeeelicious.

Wine #3 three was Clos Delorme Valencay 2006. It is a blend of Gamay, Malbec, Cab Franc and Pinot Noir. The Gamay was the dominate grape in the nose, for sure. It had really nice ripe friendly fruit with a rich body, and a slightly chalky finish.

The Last wine was the Joguet Chinon “Petite Roches” 2005.

This was the best by far, big, serious, dark Cab Franc from the Loire.

We also went back to the Savennieres, which had warmed up and gotten a little action going on. It was honey on the nose with more happening on the palate, too. A bit Creamy and nutty. Much better the second time around. All in all it was a really good meal and some really good wines. I think we also figured out what the driving force of culture, art and creativity is but, I forget what we decided on. Such is life. We roasted ourselves in front of the fire. Discussed from what height a falling Black Walnut would be deadly and had a damn good time. Next dinner is back at my place and I think we will have Rhone wines. Jedidiah said the Rhone is for peasants, but I think he was feeling the Chinon so J and T and I politely let it slide.

A couple more pictures.