So I was making a triple batch of Irish Soda Bread this morning and couldn’t really stir it well, cause the dough was so thick. I decided to dispense with the spoon and just get in there with my hands…and it was immediately apparent that this was a mistake. My hands were sucked down into the dough and all efforts to mix it were futile. I had no control over the flour-y mass and visions of the La Brea tar pits came back to me…illustrations of ill fated animals mired in the tar, baying and snorting woefully. I escaped such a fate, but pulled (what felt like) 1/2 the contents of the bowl out on my hands. St. Patrick’s Day drama at it’s finest. Cheers.
A gastronomic tour of Columbus, Ohio February 3, 2007
I don’t think Stacy expected that I would commandeer our food choices while visiting this weekend, but so far she’s been happy with the arrangement. Last night we went to the North Star Cafe (thanks for the suggestion Karen) which is such a cool place that they don’t bother having a sign (that made for a *charming* drive up and down High Street) and was still fairly full at 9:30 when we showed up. I had an amazing Korma bowl with tofu and vegetables and Stac got a Honey Barbeque Burrito. Lunch today was at Benevolence. Mary Anne and I once drove an hour and a half out of our way when I moved back from Florida to have lunch there. Is salad and bread worth an hour and a half drive? Yes, with an emphasis on yes. We got dessert from a baker at the North Market. Tomorrow I’ll be back to yogurt and salad, but simple food just gives me an appreciation for good stuff.
the worst… January 21, 2007
Woke up with a migraine. Took Imitrex and went back to bed where I was unsuccessful in *resting* so I got up and did what anyone would have done: roasted lamb shanks and potatoes. I’ve been reading Nigella Lawson and she has led me to believe that I can deal with cuts of meat I’ve only ever seen hanging in market stalls overseas. I followed the recipe, let the lamb come to room temperature, followed her recommended time/temp/weight grid and 40 minutes later pulled an essentially raw piece of meat from the oven. must. buy. meat. thermometer.
In the end I probably overcooked it but the potatoes were crisp and lovely and it made my Three-Buck-Chuck Shiraz taste pretty good. The point is that I now have enough lamb to make a Shepherds’ Pie that I’m testing for my St. Patrick’s Day party. All that for that.
The book club I’m facilitating started a couple weeks ago and I’m really enjoying The Working Poor by David Shipler, as well as the company and dialogue. So far, Shipler has avoided making the book a battleground of Left vs. Right and I respect that. It seems a fair accounting of how institutional and political imbalances affect and even work against individuals who are active participants in changing their circumstances here in the States. More to follow.
waiting for the bread to rise…an analogy January 16, 2007
I consider myself a cook, not a baker, so my sudden frenzy of baking this week was a little surprising. The biscotti and pizza dough were pretty good and the brioche was great as long as you like bread that resembles the size, shape, and density of, say, a baseball. Kind of disappointing, but useful for fending off intruders, so not a total loss.
Since my trip to North Africa and the Middle East this August I’ve been on the path to joining one of the teams in Egypt and leaving the US. This included getting approval from my church leadership, my organization, and formally applying to the team. I fasted with some friends in November and was praying for confirmation that this was the best path…and that’s when it felt like my life started falling apart.
The short version of what happened is that after much praying and seeking counsel and some crying I’ve decided to stay in the US and try to get into medical school. I’ve thought about this off and on since I was 19 and always talked myself out of it because I was scared of failing. I have 5 classes and the MCAT left to take, so I’ll be nursing for the next couple years and taking these…who knows, maybe I’ll flunk out of Organic Chem and that will be that, or maybe I’m going to be great at this. I’m looking forward to finding out because I’m tired of wondering “What if…?”
It’s difficult to choose between two very good things. If it had been a choice between moving to Egypt or shooting heroin this would have been a short blog entry and you’d be doing something else right now. I’m disappointed. I want to serve overseas, learn a new language, learn the reasons that God loves Egyptians and love them too. But I can’t do both missions and med school right now, so I’ve chosen. And I’m hopeful that God is going to produce something good and useful in me and through me.
I need to do an official mailing, but people have been getting supicious and asking questions, so I wanted to get it out there. If you want more info shoot me an email. luff, elisse
I have fallen behind December 29, 2006
In my prospective excitement about getting a dog I totally forgot to mention recent outings in Detroit.
The Annie Liebowitz exhibit “American Music” at the Detroit Institute of Arts. $10, really informative…didn’t realize how little I knew about the origins of the various American styles. All the photos are good, but there are a couple stunners in the mix. Worth it. The rest of the DIA is under major renovation so the “greatest hits” of their collections are on display in a couple rooms. The Diego Rivera Hall remains open…enigmatic and beautiful as always.
Joanna, Leslie and I then went to Twingo’s (4710 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201. (313) 832-2959) for dinner. I had prosciutto stuffed chicken over risotto and it was a little disapointing. They drizzled red sauce over the top as an afterthought and it confused the flavors. Next time I think I’ll hit the Majestic or Cass Cafe.
A couple days later Mary Anne and went to John King Books (901 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226. (313) 961-0622). And it was an experience as always. Borders this is not. I recommend taking a list of your most pressing problems, otherewise you’ll be completely overwhelmed by floor upon floor of books. You’ll regret leaving your coat and hat in the car as the place isn’t heated. But, they have warming stations available and the staff are helpful and interesting.
There. Cool stuff to do in the D. So don’t be a hater.
“Hello, flat children.” October 27, 2006
Every Friday I have a management clincal at the DMC, and every Friday Colleen and I bumble around the hallways making wrong turns like it’s our first day there. It seems our collective instinct is to turn right and, well, you can guess about how often we are correct. Since we’re taking the scenic route (continually…perpetually) we entertain ourselves by addressing the “art” in the courtyards and asking important questions like “What is behind the little door in between the 4th and 5th floors?” Add to this the time that I spend fussing with my skirt and stockings and it’s amazing I get anything done. I think I’m better suited to bedside nursing, working on one unit and wearing scrubs.
2 book suggestions related to social justice? That’s it? I think you’re holding out on me. I have an idea who keeps up with my blog and you are readers…so give it up.
Today has been coldwetrainy and has heightened my awareness of how blessed I am. Blessed because I’m not sick or wounded and I got to walk out of that hopsital free as a bird, blessed because I had money to buy groceries and a warm house to return to, blessed because dinner is made and there’s a chocolate rum cake in the oven, and blessed because in a few minutes a friend I haven’t seen in 8 years and her husband will be coming over to share it all with me. Blessed. And thankful.
Colleen and I also had time to discuss the beauty of choclate ganache at length today. Turns out its really easy to make: Heat 1/2 cup heavy cream in a saucepan and add 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. Whisk till melted and ganache has a glossy appearance. This can be poured over cake or brownies and will firm up nicely if refrigerated. If you are wanting a thicker, drier consistency (like in pain au chocolat) I’d change the proportions: 1/4c cream to 1 cup chocolate. Note: Also good when eaten straight out of the pan with a spoon. Fingers discouraged but not forbidden.
cool stuff to do in the city July 17, 2006
If anyone out there is looking for a free, airconditioned outing for the kids you might want to consider the Detroit Childrens Museum. It’s on the smallish side but was a pleasant outing with the nieces today. On thursdays and fridays they have planetarium shows at 1p and 3p. www.detroitchildrensmuseum.org
After that we went to Slows BarBQ at the corner of Michigan Ave and 14th and it was every bit as good as the recent write ups had led me to expect. Be warned that everything was spiced…the aforementioned nieces weren’t happy that their mac n’cheese and green beans had some kick…but the adults at the table loved every bite.
