So this morning K and S and I all made banana-apple crumb muffins, which turned out delicious! I added cloves, cinnamon, and fresh-ground nutmeg, and S made up a delicious streusel topping with butter and brown sugar. Now we've got a half-dozen left over for later, but I need to pack us a lunch of homemade bread and various cheeses and apples, because we're taking a drive out the Columbia River Highway to see the waterfalls and the rainforest. We'll come home for dinner, which is pecan-crusted tilapia, steamed broccoli with lemon pepper, and rosemary mashed root vegetables.
Yesterday we went to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, which was amusing but overpriced; I'd definitely say it's more focused on little kids than adults, but we still had a good time, and we saw an OMNIMax movie. Afterward we checked out the skate park under the Burnside Bridge and went to happy hour at Urban Fondue for an early tapas-style dinner. K and I have enjoyed showing off Portland, and tomorrow we're taking a nice day trip out to the coast, and Friday we're going to a hockey game. I'm enjoying myself tremendously these days!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Good Eats
K made corn waffles with cranberry-orange-maple syrup this morning. Yum!
Last night I did pumpkin quiche again, with four-seed bread and a cranberry-pecan salad with pomegranate vinaigrette. It was okay, not as good as I hoped... but then there was dessert. I've never made panna cotta before but K bought some vanilla beans awhile back and I wanted to use one. So I made vanilla bean panna cotta, chilled overnight in the fridge, and then I poached dried fruit (apricots, figs, and cherries) in port. I served the hot poached fruits on top of the chilled panna cotta, drizzled with a bit of the port reduction, and it was lovely. We don't often eat dessert but that's definitely one for a repeat the next time we do!
Tonight it'll either be homemade pizzas or pecan-crusted tilapia with broccoli and balsamic-roasted root vegetables. We'll see how we feel after a day of strolling and shopping...
This morning a friend told me that my life was like "a sexy romance novel" and insisted that no one eats like this. Ha... it really made me laugh, and reflect on how much I really do enjoy my life. I could be making more money but everything else is dream-worthy. I have a hot swinger husband who does the dishes, a snuggly cat, plenty of great food and hot sex; I live in a town I love deeply, in the most beautiful corner of America. Life has been a hell of a lot worse for me. Yeah, I've been to hell and back, but I wound up in heaven. I'm glad I had that opportunity this morning for a reminder of how blessed I am these days.
Last night I did pumpkin quiche again, with four-seed bread and a cranberry-pecan salad with pomegranate vinaigrette. It was okay, not as good as I hoped... but then there was dessert. I've never made panna cotta before but K bought some vanilla beans awhile back and I wanted to use one. So I made vanilla bean panna cotta, chilled overnight in the fridge, and then I poached dried fruit (apricots, figs, and cherries) in port. I served the hot poached fruits on top of the chilled panna cotta, drizzled with a bit of the port reduction, and it was lovely. We don't often eat dessert but that's definitely one for a repeat the next time we do!
Tonight it'll either be homemade pizzas or pecan-crusted tilapia with broccoli and balsamic-roasted root vegetables. We'll see how we feel after a day of strolling and shopping...
This morning a friend told me that my life was like "a sexy romance novel" and insisted that no one eats like this. Ha... it really made me laugh, and reflect on how much I really do enjoy my life. I could be making more money but everything else is dream-worthy. I have a hot swinger husband who does the dishes, a snuggly cat, plenty of great food and hot sex; I live in a town I love deeply, in the most beautiful corner of America. Life has been a hell of a lot worse for me. Yeah, I've been to hell and back, but I wound up in heaven. I'm glad I had that opportunity this morning for a reminder of how blessed I am these days.
Monday, January 5, 2009
My Collar
I've been asked about my collar a couple of times. "That's pretty. What is it?"
Well, the short answer: A pretty chain with a small padlock on it.
The long answer: It's like a wedding ring, but a lot more intense.
An easier explanation would be to detail what my collar is NOT. It is not a sign that I am K's slave, it is not a mark of degradation, and it is not an invitation to disrespect. I am every bit K's equal; we just occupy different roles. And this collar binds him every bit as much as it binds me. I serve him, I clean his house and cook his food, I put him first in all things, and I devote myself to his needs. But in return, he devotes himself to my needs and puts me before himself. I would not be able to give such devotion if it wasn't reciprocated fully. I still command his unwavering respect and his deepest love. I would not be wearing this collar if I didn't.
So why do I wear it?
I'll admit, it started as a sex thing, yet another BDSM toy. From there we both considered locking it on when K leaves town, to keep me grounded in our marriage while he's gone. He put it on me for the first time on our honeymoon, so I slept in it and have only taken it off for a day or so since. I find that wearing it makes me feel even more secure and cherished, rather like having strong arms wrapped around me all day long. I also like the way it looks - might be a bit goth with my new black hair, but eh, usually it's a vintage goth.
I do have my own key to my collar, so I'm not imprisoned in it. I could remove it if I chose, which is what gives the collar its real meaning in my opinion. It's all about freedom - I can give myself to K because I remain fully my own to give. In that sense, this chain is a symbol of strength, not weakness, and of the deep trust we both have in each other. And that makes it the most beautiful piece of jewelry I own.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Make sure to eat your peas and greens!
It's a long-standing tradition, definitely Southern but I think it's spread, that blackeye peas and greens must be eaten on New Year's Day. The peas bring luck and the greens bring wealth in the coming year. I never questioned this maxim when I was a kid, since blackeye peas and greens are among my favorite foods anyway. One year, 2006, I skipped because we were traveling. 2006 went on to be the worst year of my life. Since then I've never skipped and I hope I never will again.
This year I'm trying a little something different and mixing the peas and greens into one big mess. It's simmering on the stove right now and looking delicious, with honey cornbread in the cast-iron skillet in my oven. If all that's standing between you and a good year is one recipe, then try this one!
MESS O' GREENS AND BLACKEYE PEAS
big glug of olive oil
half an onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 dried habanero, crushed thoroughly, or a tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
salt to taste
1 Tbsp dulse (optional; it's a purple seaweed that tastes just like salt pork)
1 lb mixed greens (mine are collard, mustard, turnip, and spinach)
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 cans blackeye peas, drained
1/3 cup white wine
1/2 cup veggie chicken broth (or any broth)
1/2 small can tomato sauce
In a big Dutch oven or heavy pot, saute the onions in the olive oil until almost translucent. Add the garlic and spices, and cook for a minute or two. Add in the greens, a handful or two at a time, and keep sauteeing until they're wilted enough so that they all fit in the pot together. Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer covered 40 minutes, stirring every now and then until done. Serve with cornbread to sop up the juice.
It is a monsoon out there in Portland today. Last night I woke up to the sound of heavy rain, and I snuggled a little closer to K in my warm snug soft bed, and said a little prayer of gratitude for the roof over my head and my warm bed and husband. It's a good year thus far.
This year I'm trying a little something different and mixing the peas and greens into one big mess. It's simmering on the stove right now and looking delicious, with honey cornbread in the cast-iron skillet in my oven. If all that's standing between you and a good year is one recipe, then try this one!
MESS O' GREENS AND BLACKEYE PEAS
big glug of olive oil
half an onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 dried habanero, crushed thoroughly, or a tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
salt to taste
1 Tbsp dulse (optional; it's a purple seaweed that tastes just like salt pork)
1 lb mixed greens (mine are collard, mustard, turnip, and spinach)
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 cans blackeye peas, drained
1/3 cup white wine
1/2 cup veggie chicken broth (or any broth)
1/2 small can tomato sauce
In a big Dutch oven or heavy pot, saute the onions in the olive oil until almost translucent. Add the garlic and spices, and cook for a minute or two. Add in the greens, a handful or two at a time, and keep sauteeing until they're wilted enough so that they all fit in the pot together. Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer covered 40 minutes, stirring every now and then until done. Serve with cornbread to sop up the juice.
It is a monsoon out there in Portland today. Last night I woke up to the sound of heavy rain, and I snuggled a little closer to K in my warm snug soft bed, and said a little prayer of gratitude for the roof over my head and my warm bed and husband. It's a good year thus far.
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