Inspired part deux

I am sick again. This is 3 bugs in 5 weeks that have left me feeling like a vice is squishing my head. Like a pre-schooler is hiding out in my house infecting me while i am sleeping. I mean, don't get me wrong - I am ALL for lounging and watching TV and staying in PJs for days on end. But enough is enough. I'm pretty sure that this bought was brought on by the first yoga class in months, followed by some voodoo aka "energy work" the teacher did to me after class. She massaged some acupressure points and did some thai massage moves on me, which included putting her foot against my armpit and along my ribs while pulling on my arm (I was laying down and she was seated - for the visual). It felt great, but I think that all of the disruption of my lymph fluids sent me out of whack.

Before my sickness left me incapacitated, I cooked up a storm. On Saturday, I made yummy Mushroom Barley Soup from Moosewood. I had all intentions of making it vegan for my girl Enfievre, but realized that I lost that battle as I put the mushrooms into the pat of melted butter. As I've been known to say, my intentions are good, but I am often off on the follow-through. While my soup was simmering, jed whipped up a batch of his oh-so-good totally non-vegitarian chili that was completely devoured by our Phils Phans. Oh, and Sam and I went to town on the hot toddies.

On Sunday, the illness was just taking hold. But I was a woman on a mission. First up: curried lentils and sweet potatoes. Probably the easiest, tastiest recipe yet. I think I am going to make a double or triple batch for Thanksgiving, for my vegetarian sis-in-law and lactose allergic nephew. but only for them.
THEN, I made something awesome. Even before apple picking, I had it in my mind to pick enough apples to create something delicious to give as holiday gifts. Applesauce is my first love and was my obvious first choice, but one needs to pick about 9 tons of apples to make enough sauce for everyone. Since we only picked 2 tons, my second choice was a suggestion from dh: apple butter. Even though I am unsure what you actually do with apple butter, I know that my momma loves it. I gave it a shot mostly because it would require me utilizing my newly developed skill of jarring. dh found the recipe and it really couldn't have been easier. I'm so proud of my little jars. I would post a picture, but I want to leave a little bit of suspense for the holiday gifts. Oh, and as the apple butter was cooking, I made an apple crisp for jed, but I ate 3/4 of it.
Now that we only have a half of ton of apples left, I want to try a Jewish apple cake. I've been looking at several recipes and it seems like the secret unifier of them all is orange juice. I'm also brainstorming something sweet involving apples and peanut butter. Any suggestions? Would that even be good?

Inspiration

Lately, I've been thinking about inspiration. I wasn't inspired to do anything for a long time, but as I come back, I want to be a bit better. I am finding inspiration from various sources, some surprising, some less so. I am reading Alice Waters and Chez Panisse, and I am obsessed. I haven't eaten at the landmark, but I might have to make the pilgrimage. Alice was inspired by some time in France, which got me thinking that DH and I should probably definitely start planning our own girls-only-bff-30th-birthday-trip RIGHT THIS SECOND. I want to shop flea markets in Paris and get lost in lavender fields in Provence. Most importantly, we need to eat la cuisine de marche.


I've had an inspiration photo taped to my back door for about a year. it shows a lovely paved patio and a luxurious seating area. Well, i'm proud to say that as I type, our back yard is being transformed. Everyone is invited to our backyard opening party. Invites will go out soon.


tinymuse left behind 2 binders filled with magazine pages that inspired her. Although i have subscriptions to all of the same magazines, looking through EM's clippings reminds me to pay attention to the details and to keep searching for inspiration wherever I go.

Fall is the Best

This weekend, the crew went apple picking and some of us attended an inspiring fundraiser.
Apple picking was so fun - Amazing weather, hot toddies, white wine cupcakes and the funnest crew around.

I'm not sure what could have made the day better. It's official, apple picking is now an annual birthday celebration event.

Barack Steady was organized by a group of civic super stars. Bravo Michi, RMyers, Liz et al. I love how many diverse people came out to support our next president. i can't wait for the victory party.

Be At One

Today was Yom Kippur, the high holiday where Jews resolve to be abb next year than we were this year. According to tradition and Wikipedia, "The evening and day of Yom Kippur are set aside for public and private petitions and confessions of guilt. At the end of Yom Kippur, one considers himself absolved by God." We are supposed to fast all day and then celebrate our good fate with bagels and lox and whitefish and more bagels and lox and whitefish. I'm not religious enough to have taken off of work today, but I did fast (90%) and then celebrated my good fate with enough carbs to last me until next year.

Today, I reflected on the past year. I had a lot going on. I married one best friend and painfully said goodbye to another. I know that I will be more than a bit better in life as a result of both events. Jed will hold me accountable as his partner and make sure I keep up my end of the bargain by loving him as much as he loves me. Erin will always be the little bird on my shoulder, giving me strength by whispering " go big or go home." I didn't petition anyone today, nor did I make any huge confessions of guilt. But with the support of Jed and Erin, in addition to the rest of my fabulous network who decided to stick it out despite my lack of social skills, I feel at one with myself and I am ready and willing to try getting back to being abb.