Happy MLK Jr. Day!

Jan 17th:
This is a photo of that xmas cactus that had white blooms on it. It’s still going strong. When the flowers are in full bloom they turn a bright pink. I love these things, they give me a little freshness in the dead of winter.

Jan 18th:
Jeff and I made dinner together- it was fun. We make all our food mostly, but for some reason on this night we decided to do it up and make balsamic and lemon glazed salmon with avocado, portobello mushrooms, and rice pilaf with some fresh asparagus and cilantro. Yum. We practically licked our plates afterwards. I think it was so special for us because of all the not-so-sustainable-in-Michigan-in-the-middle-of-winter ingredients. We’ve been eating lots of local fare- which is lovely and delicious, but lacking in variety this time of year. We splurged.

Someone asked me recently what kind of food I make. I had NO IDEA what to tell them. I found that to be kind of amusing. I spend all this time cooking and experimenting and thinking about food- I didn’t realize that I have yet to come into my own food-identity. With further thought, I suppose if I had to put myself in a category then it would be… traditional food. I don’t really mean traditional in the sense that spaghetti with meatballs is traditional- although that would probably fit onto my menu. I guess I mean in terms of what food has been to us over the course of history. It’s only recently that we were able to live most of our lives eating out of a box, and it wasn’t so long ago that each and every person who eats had to have an intimate relationship with their food. I believe that food is not meant only to sustain us and tickle our tastebuds. Food is a gift, it is life giving and important. In order to truly be nourishing it needs to be respected and cared for. There’s a whole moral and spiritual aspect that I had no idea even existed for me. I won’t get into that now, most of you already know my thoughts on this anyway. I just know that this stuff should not to be taken for granted. So while I may be making mashed potatoes, or a Thai curry, or a salad- they all have one thing in common- we thought about it. Am I a complete cheese-ball? Whatever.

Jan 19th:
Remember those cool bulb things that sit on rocks in water? Well this is what’s been happening to them. More flowers in winter! Yay!

Jan 20th:
My parents got this little dog for baby while they were in Mexico. It’s from Patzcuaro and is handmade. I love it. I love that my kid will have those few sentimental things that they’ve had since birth. Maya loves it too, but unfortunately this one is not for her.

Jan 21st:
I miss them. I miss being outside really. It’s been so bitter cold out lately, with a windchill. We’ve hardly been able to stand giving Maya walks. I love winter for its coziness, for the necessary dormancy it brings, but damn if it doesn’t seem like the longest season ever sometimes. I need to remember that I hate being too hot. I would always rather bundle than be stuck in relentless heat. Staying grateful now…

Jeff and I finally went to Borders to use all our gift cards that have been stacking up over the past 3 years. We had $90. We bought 6 books and our total came out to be… drumroll… 89.92. Is that great or what? They are all very exciting books that I must share with you.

Jeff’s picks:
America (the book) – by Jon Stewart
I am American (and so can you) – Steven Colbert
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – Ken Kesey

My picks:
Stitch n’ Bitch – Debbie Stoller
The Bean Trees – Barbara Kingsolver
Omnivore’s Dilemma – Michael Pollan

We also got a Dick and Jane calendar to bring in the new year in a wholesome way. It was really fun to buy expensive books like that and not have to worry about it.