play

“We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”

         George Bernard Shaw

 

Hope you have a wonderful, playful weekend!  

that which sustains us

Maybe you have figured this out by now: I love food. Not just eating it, but cooking it as well. I just had one of those days where nothing really went quite wrong but I was feeling overwhelmed BY THE WEIGH OF THE WORLD (Throws head back and sighs for dramatic measure.) So I went for a walk and let my mind wander. Well, it didn't take too long to start thinking about the meals I cooked this week: vegetarian fajitas, curried lentil soup, roasted chicken with potatoes, breakfast burrito. Not too bad of a week in the kitchen. Tonight I am thinking I might make shrimp tacos. I've never been much of a baker, even though I try sometimes, but cooking-- Chopping, sauteeing, braising, roasting, caramelizing, all of those real cooking savory food words-- I LOVE. I always think about Julie and Julia when I've had a rough day. Julie Powell makes a comment to her husband:

"Chocolate cream pie! You know what I love about cooking? I love that after a day when nothing is sure and when I say nothing, I mean nothing. You can come home and absolutely know that if you add egg yolks to chocolate and sugar and milk, it will get thick. That's such a comfort."


Julie, I hear ya. Maybe it's roasting and blending up a butternut squash soup for me, but I find such comfort in the hum of the kitchen, and the quiet success of a delicious meal.

fun fact

I love doughnuts. There are a lot of sweets I can just walk past. Sheet cake? No interest. Lemon tarts? Pass. But chocolate cake doughnuts? BE STILL MY HEART. I was known to occasionally walk from my office at 3pm to the Dunkin Doughnuts down the street, purchase a single chocolate cake doughnut, and eat it on the walk back. No, I could not wait until I got in the office and made a cup of tea.

I saw this recipe for homemade chocolate cake doughnuts today. I cannot make them because I would eat the entire pan in less than an hour. But if someone could make them that has more self control than me, please, let me know how the recipe is. 

life rules- brunch

Acceptable people to have brunch with: 

1) Your girlfriends: For the purpose catching up on everyone's night before over pancakes and eggs benedict. It's a perfect meal to pig out on early enough in the day where you still have time to burn it off.

2) Your new boyfriend's parents: It's less stressful than dinner because there is an allotted amount of time. It's not usually that expensive so you don't have to feel awkward about the parents picking up the check. You can look chic yet still conservative. Perfect parent brunch outfit: skinny jeans, flats, a cardigan and colorful scarf with some cute earrings. Voila. 

3) That guy you just started dating and slept over at your place for the first time: Let's be honest, if he wants to go out for brunch after, he likes you. If he has to run out to meet friends/ run a marathon/ watch football he's just not that into you. It's a good barometer. 

experience of love

“For most of us, the experience of love, even if it doesn’t work out—perhaps especially when it doesn’t work out—promises that here is one thing that validates, that vindicates life. And though subsequent years might alter this view, until some of us give up on it altogether, when love first strikes there’s nothing like it, is there? Agreed?”

—Julian Barnes, The Sense of an Ending

suddenly settling

After a week of volunteering at a clinic in the Dominican Republic, I am back in North Carolina. It was an incredible experience, both personally and professionally. Once I get back on my feet here, I'll share more. 

I came across this song today, and it felt in line with how I felt when I came back from the DR. I felt overwhelmed by expectations of settling down and making relationship decisions before I left, but after a full week of serving others and doing the work that I love deep down, I was reminded that I am on the right path. I am doing what I am meant to be doing right now. That feels pretty good. 

guinevere

She's got a bumper like a billboard
Covered in stickers of her favorite band
She's got a handful of records that she turns to
When she needs to land
She's a saturday night parade through the streets
and all eyes come to see including me

She carries memories around like souvenirs down in her 
pockets
She should have let some go by now but can't seem to 
drop it
Says forgiveness ain't nothing but a lifeless tire on 
the shoulder of her soul
That never rolls

For as much as she stumbled she's runnin'
For as much as she runs she's still here
Always hoping to find something quicker than heaven
To make the damage of her days disappear
Just like Guinevere
Just like Guinevere

She don't hold onto nothin' new for very long
Yeah she writes you in as just one more tale
and then you're gone
'Cause she once fell hard 'cause she dropped her guard
And no one gets to stay it's just too late

For as much as she stumbled she's runnin'
For as much as she runs she's still here
Always hoping to find something quicker than heaven
To make the damage of her days disappear
Just like Guinevere
Just like Guinevere

For as much as she stumbled she's runnin'
For as much as she runs she's still here

For as much as she stumbled she's runnin'
For as much as she runs she's still here
Always hoping to find something quicker than heaven
To make the damage of her days disappear
Just like Guinevere
Just like Guinevere

Lean into me Guinevere
Be mine tonight Guinevere

just when i thought i had it figured out

When it rains it pours/hurricanes/tornados/earthquakes. 


I leave for the Dominican Republic on Saturday morning for a week. I need winter break detox. As a technology addict, it might be good for me to have a few days without being in touch with people. Clear. My. Mind. 

life guidelines

There are times I think I'm doing things on principle, but mostly I just do what feels good. 

But that's a principle, too. 

-Story People

NYE

Why does New Year's Eve feel like everything and nothing all at the same time?

Is anyone else glad when the 48 hours between Dec 31 and Jan 1 are over?