Barbara Samuel's Blog: A Writer Afoot, page 19

The struggle for balance

In my exuberant embrace of all things Nia, I have been neglecting my yoga practice.  This morning, I woke up with the hunger in every joint and thought I might go to a class at the Y, but the roads are too icy.   I unrolled my mat in the living room, and just ran through some sun salutations, some sitting poses, some twists, and some joint-specific asanas given to me by a yoga-physical therapist for my tight shoulders and arms.   I spent maybe 20 minutes at it, and my whole body is breathing ...

Slow cooked, spicy, chunky apple butter

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Technically, I suppose, apple butter is smooth.  I originally made this recipe last winter and pureed it afterward. Since, however, my main use for this particular condiment is in my morning oatmeal, I have found I much prefer it to be left chunky.   Recipe is adapted from one I found at The Art of Homemaking.

SLOW COOKED CHUNKY, SPICY APPLE BUTTER

Apples enough to fill a crock pot–about 10-12 good sized apples.
2 T cinnamon
5-6 whole cloves
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 vanilla...

The Simple Joy of Dog-ness

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Sasha in November

This morning, I'm thinking about the difference in dogs and cats. As many of you know, my mid-size terrier mutt Sasha is almost 17 years old and over the past six months, her age has really been catching up with her. She's quite deaf and a little shortsighted and even the smeller is going, since she nips at our fingers just to make sure there is no treat hanging in the air. She's pigeon-toed and bow-legged because her legs are weak, and some days the shuffle is barely a...

The Simple Joy of Dog-ness

This morning, I'm thinking about the difference in dogs and cats. As many of you know, my mid-size terrier mutt Sasha is almost 17 years old and over the past six months, her age has really been catching up with her. She's quite deaf and a little shortsighted and even the smeller is going, since she nips at our fingers just to make sure there is no treat hanging in the air. She's pigeon-toed and bow-legged because her legs are weak, and some days the shuffle is barely a shuffle. Some days...

In the Rain

[image error]I'm warmly ensconced at an Italian restaurant in Lee's Summit, Missouri. I came t0 town to hear Elizabeth Gilbert speak and do some focused work away from the distractions at home. But after three days of my own company, I had to get out of the hotel. It's pouring rain, which means I am the only crazy person traipsing around. I have a borrowed umbrella in a singularly boring brown, and my Italia bag slung over my shoulder, which I bought at a market in Rome, the only place on the whole...

The Ancient One

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Who's old?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My ancient Sasha (going on 17) has been having some old lady troubles the past couple of months–things are just getting tired.  Many days, she will at least walk some of the way, even it's slow (which annoys Jack to no end. "You're kidding, right? You have to pee again?"), but some days, I leave her at home with a bone.   Cute, eh?

The Deconstruction of Fish & Chips

At CR's urging, I decided to give the deconstruction of fish & chips a try.  (For background on the Top Chef deconstruction challenge, read about it here.)

My challenge was to create a dish that would deconstruct fish & chips and end up tasting like the original.  Since the only ingredients in the traditional offering are white fish (usually cod or haddock, depending on your locale), and potatoes, both fried and heavily salted, then served very hot, it wasn't easy. But it was intriguing.

THE...

Deconstruction Challenge, via Top Chef

Tonight, the chefs were asked to deconstruct a classic dish.   One of them was fish and chips, which happens to be one of Christopher Robin's favorites, so I found myself trying to imagine how to do it.  As we watched, I kept tossing out ideas, and CR finally said, "Try it!"  (Subtext: please please please!)

So,  on Friday, I'll give it a shot.  I promise to be truthful about the process, and post photos, mistakes, and…perhaps even a successfully delicious.  I'm not exactly a whiz with fish...

THE SECRET OF EVERYTHING, Barbara O'Neal

PRE-ORDER NOW

Coming your way January 5, 2010:

FROM THE BACK COVER:In this spectacular new novel, Barbara O'Neal delivers a generous helping of the best in life–family, food, and love–in the story of a woman's search for the one thing worth more than anything.

At thirty-seven, Tessa Harlow is still working her way down her list of goals to "fall in love and have a family." A self-described rolling stone, Tessa leads hiking tours for adventurous vacationers–it's a job that's taken her around the ...

Signs of autumn

Last weekend, I hiked around Florrisant on a moody, foggy Saturday. This leaf seemed a sign of the coming season.