Mid Winter Bliss

 Signs of a successful mid-winter break?

Lunch beer as much as I please.  Look at that, you can see the bubbles in the picture--can you stand it?  Eating lunch, period; now that's a luxury.  And on break I can take the careful time necessary for something really savory and fantastic like a burger on green onion focaccia with spicy beans on the side (because when you're craving a burger there is nothing--NOTHING--else in this world that will satisfy).  I don't have a barbecue to cook burgers like my dad, but I must say that searing hot iron and salt does nicely.  That's my grandmother's cast iron grill pan that my father passed down to me.  And as many condiments as I want.  Three different mustards in my fridge and I'll use them all if I want, thank you.

I'll take small victories this year.

Things I can hold, things I can make, things I can change.

I can make lunch.  I can sit down and enjoy it.  I can call my mom while I'm eating.  I can watch foot traffic outside.  I can think about my plans for the day, for the year, for the rest of my life. 

So much in this world is out of my control.  As far as I know, lunch is still mine 

(at least when I'm on vacation).

Sweet Nothings

There was one holiday season back in the late 80's when my sister desperately wanted a Salad Shooter, possibly because the commercial jingle was so catchy.  Of course, my father is the king of appliances and once bought a second blender at Costco after an enthusiastic demonstration--true story.  I am not judging either of them.  Rather, I am giving in and accepting my genetic predisposition for culinary gadgets, an admission that clearly justifies the purchase of my new toy.   Behold:

I swear I didn't pose him like that.

 And now, let's go in for the closeup.

Ah ha ha ha ha ha!  I know, right?  I've wanted one for years and now it's mine--ALL MINE!  I cannot wait to dive in and try my hand at delicious homemade frozen treats.  I thought I'd start with this:

Chocolate sorbet from Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa At Home (my favorite cookbook of all time, by the way).

 

You just need a little of this...San Francisco's own Ghirardelli cocoa, cinnamon, salt and vanilla...

 ...and a little of that...wait, what is that?

 Turns out the secret ingredient is two shots of brewed espresso.  The friendly, tattooed folks at Dana Street Roasting Co made mine for me!

 Sorbet mixture and ice cream machine core are chilling overnight.  Stay tuned for the taste test tomorrow!  And if you're in driving distance of my house, you may want to stop by and taste for yourself.

Pesky Critters

To whichever pesky neighborhood critter ate the leaves off all 3 of my potato plants: 

 

My cat and I are watching you.

 

Well, looks like Max has that one covered.  Nothing left to do, really, but drown my woes in a hot tea and piece of fresh blueberry coffee cake.  Ahh...that's better.

California Dreamin'

Sometimes a girl needs some time with herself and the sky.

 

Like how about a stroll down Chrissy Field on this fantastic January afternoon? 

 

The sun on my skin cleared my head just fine.

I feel so new, so real, so energized.

Sometimes a girl needs to stop and unwind...

with a handmade frozen treat from the gals at Twirl & Dip Truck!

 This creamsicle is not messing around: 

vanilla bean ice cream and Cara Cara orange sorbet.  

It almost knocked me down.  I swear to you it tasted like the January sun, and maybe too like the summer of my past.

Can I dream of California when I've lived here all my life?  

Can I think about moments I haven't yet had? 

Can I remember and be present at the same time?

Happy Cat-i-versary

So far January is giving me lots to celebrate.  It was four years ago today that I brought home my sweet Maxie boy, the cat who changed my life.  I can't imagine my life or my house without him...the cat who thinks he's a puma, the cat who chases balls and chats with birds, the cat who still runs to the door to see me when I come home from a long day's work.   

We went for a check up last week at the vet and he weighs 17.7 lbs.  Who's mama's linebacker kitty?

Meanwhile, the garden I've been volunteering at in the city celebrated its one year anniversary this weekend. Every time I go up there I learn (and often get to cook) something new.  Collard greens?  Purple bok choy?  Fava bean leaves?  Well, why not!

I was on the potato team that built these groovy potato towers.  I am dying to try this at home!  Dad, do you have any chicken wire in the garage?  In the chicken wire hoops we layered manuer, compost, whole potatoes, and straw. 

I filled that wheelbarrow up with compost and then drove it up to the street level for potato action.  You should have seen me!  Who's a suburban girl now?

In honor of Dr. King, there was a great gathering and two greenhouses were built; you can see one in progress off to the right.

Little seedlings in the making.

I know we're getting down and dirty, but there's no need to look like a bum!  I finished knitting this super soft slouchy hat just in time for the weekend.  Years ago, I bought those shell buttons at a street market in Amsterdam.  They finally have a good home.

And finally, we are approaching the one year anniversary of the one and only Miz Liz Lemon!

Guess what?  

Big news:

What winter blues?

 Ginger soda with my own homegrown meyer lemons.  Ginger cat for company.  Who could ask for more?

It's things like this that make me feel alive.

1 year of my life

Grow, little one, grow.

So here we are, at the one year anniversary of Thyme & Reason!  Thank you so much for supporting me and coming back time and again to read.  I am sure that the coming year will bring new seeds, new leaves, new quiet moments, new riots, new fires, new changes, new places to see.  Join me.

Winter pleasures

December dinner party with my folks, sister and brother-in-law, featuring kitchen muse pizza and five current winter obsessions...


#1 Swiss chard, cut into ribbons and ready for saute action

#2 Cara-Cara pink fleshed oranges, seen here with baby chioggia beets, and citrus vinaigrette for green salad. If you see Cara Cara in your grocery store, go for it! You won't be sorry! They're ruby red like a grapefruit but with an intense, sweet orange flavor.

#3 The antipasti tray. The Italians are really on to something, here. How could any party guest resist a little salty bite with their vino or brewski?



Pizza with Swiss chard, beet greens, and bacon (YUM!) and three-cheese white pizza with sage oil, both made possible by winter obsession #4: the pizza pan. Golden, chewy crust not possible without one. Mom brought hers so we could make two pies.

And for dessert, can you believe it? I actually baked. It's #5 chocolate peppermint crackles, the old family recipe with peppermint extract instead of vanilla. Wait, that one in the front looks wonky. I can't possibly serve it to my guests. I better eat it before it causes problems... Ah, that's better.

So much fun! Best dinner party yet. We'll have to do this more often. Hope you are rounding off the year with people you love and good things to eat!

Salut! L'chaim! Cheers!