by Krista | Jun 29, 2011 | Plucky Thursday
“We are friends and I do like to pass the day with you in serious and inconsequential chatter.
I wouldn’t mind washing up beside you, dusting beside you,
reading the back half of the paper while you read the front.
We are friends and I would miss you, do miss you and think of you very often.”
– Jeanette Winterson –
As my time in Washington draws to a close, I’m spending as much time as possible with my dear ones, meeting for long heart-to-heart talks over dinner, campfires, and tea. Lots of tears have been shed and much laughter shared. How I shall miss them and cherish their friendship from afar through Skype, emails, phone calls and visits.
Today I am off to spend the day with my dear friend Natalie who is visiting with her hubby and daughter from their home in Thailand. We first met in 1993 when we lived with friends on the same boat moored in Moscow, Russia. She is a true kindred spirit and no matter how much time passes between visits, each reunion is a delight filled with non-stop talking and a shared love for nature, travel, and as many berries as we can eat.
My poor foot is still kaput so instead of hiking we’ll be driving to favorite spots: ocean, lake, mountains. I can’t wait.
Cherries are ripe and ready here in Washington and I wish I could hand deliver a basket of these beauties to each one of you. These photos will have to do.
What is your favorite thing to do with an old and dear friend?
by Krista | Jun 29, 2011 | Compatriot Wednesday
Hi luvs! It was our last night of Mediterranean feasting at cooking club this month, and oh boy, did folks do it up right!! Since my camera is still off getting fixed, we’re stuck with pics off my phone for a while. 🙂
We started with all sorts of crackers dipped in Mascarpone cheese and Selwyn’s amaaaazing black olive tapenade, rich and salty with anchovies and capers. Don and Jen brought savory sausage and various cheeses to top more crackers, and Don made us his fabulous martinis poured over pepperoncini and big green olives.
Then it was time for the main course!!! Jason and Kim made a gorgeous Greek salad with juicy chunks of tomato, crisp bell peppers, enormous Kalamata olives, cucumber, and lavish amounts of Feta cheese. Cameron and Robin made Smoked Chicken Breasts with a crispy Parmesan Crust that were marvelously moist and flavorful. Darren served up his oh-so-succulent and creamy risotto made with Vermouth, I brought my Black Bean Salad with Lime Dressing, and Susan made a splendid prawn dish cooked over fennel sauteed in Chardonnay and topped with Feta cheese that melted beautifully throughout.
It was such a splendid night. There was a large crowd of us this time, and we all cozied into the living room, finding perches on floors, furniture and foot stools. When I wasn’t visiting with dear folks, I loved just sitting back and watching everyone having such a great time together, sipping Toby’s sangria as they talked about their week, what they were reading, or burst into laughter at the ridiculous moments that plague us all from time to time. I sure love these people.
Suddenly folks remembered that – wonder of wonders!!! – it was actually WARM outside! So we filled our plates with non-Mediterranean desserts – Andrew’s marvy German Chocolate Cake and Kat’s warm and zesty Lemon Pudding – and clustered outside just in time for a warm rain to fall. It was perfect.
Selwyn’s Black Olive Tapenade
Ingredients:
12 ounces Kalamata olives, pitted and rinsed
1 tin anchovies rolled with capers in olive oil
2 cloves garlic
Directions:
- Place all ingredients in food processor and blend to desired consistency.
- Serve with crackers and mascarpone cheese.
Darren’s Vermouth Risotto
2 cups Arborio rice
6 cups chicken broth
8 tbsp butter
1/4 cup Vermouth
grated Parmesan to taste (about 2 tbsp)
sea salt to taste (about 1 tsp)
Directions:
- Preheat broth in a separate pot until hot, but not boiling.
- In a large flat bottom pan heat 4 tbsp butter with the rice until butter is well melted and rice is warmed but not brown.
- Add two ladle scoops of warm broth, mix well.
- As the broth is absorbed, but before the rice gets dry, keep adding a ladle full of broth at a time until all the broth is used.
- When you put the last of the broth in turn off the heat.
- Add the remaining butter, Vermouth, Parmesan and salt.
- Mix well as the rest of the broth and Vermouth is absorbed.
Black Bean Salad with Lime Dressing
Click here for my recipe
by Krista | Jun 28, 2011 | Gulliver Tuesday
by Krista | Jun 27, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
Do you ever feel like life is just a bit much? That your to-do list is impossible and the trials confounding your efforts have crossed the line into ridiculousness?
I admit that’s exactly how I felt on Friday gazing at stacks and stacks of boxes and wondering how on earth my crippled self was going to get them all sorted and organized in time for a garage sale in the morning. Then the other items on my to-do list started hollering for attention and pretty soon I was utterly and completely overwhelmed.
Not. Good. 🙂
I decided it was high time for a little break to get myself on track again, so I got on the snazzy medical scooter a dear friend loaned me and rolled myself outside for some fresh air. I found a comfy perch on a lawn chair, propped up my foot and tipped my head back for a little rest.
I just sat there, breathing, relaxing, letting all the stress and anxiety drift away as I listened to the wind rustling in the trees and setting the chimes dancing.
When at last I opened my eyes, this is what I saw.
It was so beautiful, almost magical somehow, like a special gift of wonder to cheer my heart. I wanted so much to share it with you so I grabbed my phone and took a little video. 🙂
httpv://youtu.be/PmAlTgpuwq0
I know it’s nothing exciting, there are no pyramids or Eiffel Towers to be seen, but nonetheless, I hope it delights you. I watched it again this morning and it made me smile, reminding me that even on dark, stormy days when everything seems to be going wrong, there is still beauty and light to be found. There is always hope.
That little moment calmed me down and cheered me up and soon I was back on the job. My dear friends Marie, Nicole, Darren, Cameron, Robin, and Jenny came with beaming smiles, hugs and amazing enthusiasm to “get this done!!” And we did!! I got propped up in a rocking chair and they brought me box after box to sort and organize then dashed off to arrange and price. It was after dark by the time we finished, but we finished!! (Thank you SO much, dearest folks!!)
The next morning Marie and I were both sick, but we got up and Nicole cheered us on and we made it! Even before we opened treasure-hunters were scavenging for deals. The emotional difficulty of letting go of most of my belongings disappeared as I saw people SO excited to buy my treasures. Little girls beamed as they wrapped my scarves around their necks and clutched ropes of shiny necklaces. Other folks couldn’t stop smiling as they balanced stacks of my beloved books in their arms or found a cd they absolutely loved. It made me happy. 🙂
It was quite a day. 9-year-old Adrienne fortified us with toasted bagels and string cheese and Dylan made a donut run to keep us going and somehow we made it through. The sale was a rousing success and I made enough money to ship my remaining belongings to Australia. That makes me happy too. 🙂
Today is a new day. I’m all caught up on sleep, down to taking pain pills only a couple of times a day (yay!), and am one step closer to getting everything done for my big move.
What projects are you tackling this week?
xo
by Krista | Jun 23, 2011 | Fabulous Friday
I write to you today surrounded by towers of boxes, bins, and plastic bags filled with all my worldly possessions.
I see a framed picture I’ve had since I was a little girl, dishes I’ve served many a meal on, books I have loved, and I’m feeling sad because none of them can go with me when I move to Amsterdam next month.
It’s like saying good-bye to old friends as I sort the boxes Robin and Nicole set next to my “invalid chair”. We’re getting ready for my moving sale on Saturday, the day I send my comfy old armchairs, beautiful iron bedstead, and sturdy bookcases to new homes. It is both emotional and exciting, but when tears threaten to spill over, I remind myself that all these little sacrifices will be worth it. They’re making it possible for me to start a new life – and that is a wonderful thing.
I found out today that my badly sprained foot is actually much worse than originally thought. It’s either fractured or suffering the effects of a completely torn ligament. So I am officially off my feet for the next while, with a strict regimen of icing, soaking, and elevating. Hopefully one day soon the black will disappear and the swelling and pain go down, but until then I’ll be hobbling about on the splendid crutches my friends Cameron and Robin got for me. They’re nifty little things, shiny and bright burnished metal, and my friend Marie says they match my earrings. 🙂 My arms aren’t thanking me, but my foot is shouting WOOHOOHOO!! 😉
Being unable to walk, let alone lift anything, I was anxious and stressed about how to move, sort, haul, pack, and sell my belongings before my big move in 3 weeks. I worried in vain though, for my dear pals Michael, Cameron and Robin, Darren and Nicole, Jenny, Kat and Ed, Dylan, Mike, Eric and Marie not only helped me move out of my apartment, they moved everything again this week, helping me sort through it, AND are standing by to put on a garage sale. They are absolute treasures and I’m all teary just thinking of the amazing love and kindness they’ve shown me. Love you guys so much. 🙂
As I think about all that needs to be done, it’s so nice to take a break for a bit and simply reflect with gratitude on the blessings in my life. To linger awhile over these peaceful pictures of driftwood, grasses in the wind, and a sea cool and dark as slate.
A friend and I were talking today about the myriad trials that have monopolized our lives recently. Our health, finances, and vocations have gone through massive upheaval, stirring up fear and uncertainty in our hearts. Yet in spite of it all we still feel fortunate for one reason: we are loved.
Thinking on that makes me smile through constant pain, surprise expenses, and monkey wrenches tossed straight into well-laid plans.
It is my happy thought this week. 🙂
Who are you loved by today?
xo
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