Happy Valentine's Day

Today was a pleasant surprise kind of day. It really is the little things that make it all worthwhile. Spencer made dinner for the two of us. All local VA goodies cooked to perfection. Well, with the exception of the virgin coconut martinis that is. All Perfection. I had a spare moment to collect a few pearls and soem silver wire and wrap a few twigs from the previously mentioned trip last year and make a fun little pendant. Now I'm off to enjoy the remainder of the evening with my love.

longing for what's not possible

well, at least at this time. This time last year I was off and away with friends to a slightly remote location by the sea and enjoyed the refreshing, bitter cold, isolation and company. I am going to miss this. This piece is made with a scrap of driftwood from that last trip. Silver and amozonite and pearls.

reparations

I found this chain in the bottom of my jewelry box, it had an unfortunate accident that I will never know about. So, it needed to be fixed. I made a hammered silver ring to solder in between the broken ends. Here is the result.

Toast for Three

Better than that, make mine French. MMMmmm. French Toast with Berry Compote for my girls.

French Toast:
Whole Wheat Bread, 1 loaf
8 Eggs
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 c milk
If you don't know how to make French toast and you can read these words, something went terribly wrong in your childhood.

Compote:
2 apples, diced
3/4 c cranberries dried
1/2 c orange juice
cinnamon, cloves
1 tbs sugar
1 tbs butter

sauté the apples in butter, after they have a nice caramelization on them, add in the cranberries and oj, cover with a lid and simmer for 8-10 min while making the toast.

Serve the toast with the compote and enjoy with good company. Or alone, but the former is preferable.

'cause it's Friday

And my girls are here. So why not asparagus. How about a lil couscous for a late night snack.

Isralie Couscous:
cook according to the package
add 1 tbs Fox Piont seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cracked pepper

steam asparagus with couscous

drizzle with olive oil

parmesan dusting

serve hot. great for a couple of hungry ladies.

One is the loneliest number

Two can be as bad as one. Single pendant, no chain. I'm not feeling lonely, just introspective, and listening to WRIR and picking up vibes via radio waves. Found rusted out washer, shell, pearls, silver wire.

Penne for your thoughts

I wanted a quick dinner so I could spend a little time with Spencer, I think it's been a week since we've actually talked. So a quick Penne pasta with a carbonara sauce and a little broccoli rabe.

1 lb penne
boil in salted water
blanch broccoli rabe in pasta water

sauce:
4 yolks
2 tbs butter melted
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
cracked black pepper
pinch sat
large sprinkling of parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, crushed

stir in the hot pasta with the sauce
serve with broccoli

enjoy the conversation over dinner. it's been a long time coming.