Southwestern Cornbread

Now that I've been to the Southwest, I want green chile everything. Like this fabulous Green Chile Cornbread from Kokopelli's Cookbook by James and Carol Kunkle. How can cornbread not be delicious, with green chiles, red pepper, onion, bacon, and bacon drippings??

Musical storm

The wind is playing my house like a musical instrument today. Which is probably the best thing I can say about the storm that's whipping down our region - cold, wet, windy, rainy, dark, and wintry.

However, it was perfect yesterday for sitting on the couch with coffee, a good book, and Sting's latest on the stereo. And a cat on my lap, of course.

Have a warm cozy week!

I think Leonard Pitts is awesome, Part 354

Mr. Pitts has again written brilliantly about a current issue.

I am deeply saddened by the losses felt by my brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Don't keep waiting to live

Out for a walk on a gloriously mild winter day, I came alive. Everyday magic buzzed through and around me; you know the kind I mean. The wind in my hair. The sun on my face and in my eyes and bouncing off the river water. My wonderfully swingy earrings. My scarf with the fringe that floated behind me. Coyote, who peeped his head over the wild green grasses of the levee. Songs on my iPod that remind me of my sass and power and beauty and strength and connection with women everywhere.

The thing is, these moments happen every day. How many have I missed because I'm waiting for something - for my workday to be over, for the weekend, for after I've run my errands and cleaned my house and folded the laundry, for summer, for Christmas, for vacation, for...? This year I don't want to wait. I want to live in as many magical everyday moments as possible.

Refreshed

Here I am again, after what feels like forever - three weeks away from my normal routine. I've had time off from work, spa treatments, lots of sleep, visits with friends and family, and time alone on vacation with my sweetie. I've read books, watched movies, and eaten inordinate amounts of wonderful food. I feel like I've recovered my self again.

Some highlights:

• Rosemary Spa Package on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas to me. A hot stone massage and pedicure with rosemary essential oils. Wonderfully soothing.
• Christmas with TH, a shepherd's pie, and a delicious nutmeg cake.
• Family gathering with cousins, aunts and uncles, and phone calls to those out-of-town.
• Road Trip in the Southwest with my husband, seeing amazing sites and eating amazing food. It's all about the New Mexico green chiles. And sopapillas.
• A meeting of the minds and personalities with a blog buddy. Non-stop talking, sharing dreams, and a fair amount of laughing. It's always nice to meet a kindred spirit.
  

May you be refreshed by what you love, at the beginning of this new year.