Merry & Mod at home

In it to win it.

Thursday morning I had an epiphany on two levels.  Driving into work, listening to a review of Leonardo DiCaprio's new documentary, The 11th Hour, I realized:

1. If in the future, after quitting my current job and launching a new creative career, I should  decide to return to non-profit work, I will work for the environment. 
2. I am not doing nearly enough in my everyday life to save the environment.

The latter discovery was more earth-shaking (no pun intended) than the former.  I consider myself a conscientious person, but really, I'm just scratching the surface.  Once at the office I drafted a list of about 12 things I can do now to live a greener life.  I've since been adding to and riffing on the possibilities.  None of these changes negatively impact my life, though perhaps a few are marginally more expensive than their non-eco-friendly alternatives. In fact, I believe these changes will improve my quality of life.  Here are a few items I'm most excited about:

• Shop locally.  This means a smaller carbon imprint (food travels a shorter distance from its origin to my tummy), supporting independent farmers, fresh seasonal produce, AND more trips to the Farmer's Market.
• Reduce packaging.  No more snack packs.  No more individual servings.  Reuse plastic and glass containers.  Hmmm...does this mean I should make my own yogurt again? 
• Consume my purchases.  Plan menus, shop with a list, follow through with the plans.  No more spongy cucumbers or moldy pita bread. 
• Eliminate grocery bags.  Every time you bring your own bags to Trader Joe's you're entered in a monthly gift certificate raffle.  Observing my fellow shoppers today, I'd say my odds are definitely decent.  My vinyl bags from TJ's are fun and colorful, though they are likely petroleum-based and I probably should have bought the canvas ones.  (Rookie mistake.)
• Replace all incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights.  The expense hardly seems to be an issue - $7 for two and they'll last forever?  Turns out the CFLs come in various shapes besides the spiral, so I'm changing the bulbs in the bathroom fixtures, too. 
• And perhaps my favorite for it's obviousness and simplicity...stop using plastic utensils.  I bring my lunch t0 work almost every day, why the hell am I eating with a plastic fork?  In my lunch bag for tomorrow, already packed (ta da!), I've stashed a spare fork, spoon, Asian soup spoon, and knife.  They'll live at my desk and I'll feel virtuous all day long. 

In the face of such dire daily news concerning the world we share, it's easy to be overwhelmed by a sense of futility.  But I'm empowered by the knowledge that a series of simple changes can have lasting impact - especially if I encourage others to make similar improvements.   

On that note, I'm taking myself and my bamboo fiber nightgown to bed.  Tomorrow is Yoga Monday (another change) and I'm hitting the ground running. 

Continuing education.

This week I enrolled in an intensive six week jewelry design course at Otis College of Art and Design.  I have high hopes for this course - to learn new techniques that would be a true challenge to teach myself.  (Almost all of my other jewelry and craft skills were self taught.)  Most of all, I'm hoping this will get my creative juices flowing and reinforce my desire to break out of the nine to five slump. 

I have felt the forty hour frustration acutely this week.  Having dreams about work for the past four nights does nothing to assuage my anxiety.  Gratefully, it's Friday.  Weekends, however fleeting they may be, are my reward.  And I just downloaded Ms. Parton's classic 9 to 5 from iTunes; that's going to put me in a party mood. 

Sweet home.

A trip to Eugene with my son was a busy, exhausting, and resorative weekend that ended all to soon.  While I enjoyed much happiness and togetherness with the fam, the only soul searching was the discovery that I should not be allowed to book my own flights.  Oh well.  We flew direct even if it was the middle of the night.  And Miles won the award for Best Toddler Ever by going so well with the flow.   

Once at home, it was a pleasure to watch Miles and his cousin tromping around Mom and Dad's back yard.  I'm often impressed by the extent of Miles' appetite, but I think that he could win a blueberry eating contest hands down.

The purpose of the trip was the wedding of a longtime family friend at Dorris Ranch. 

It was a very personal afternoon affair.  The bride and groom entered the ceremony arm in arm behind a traditional bagpiper and drummer, leading their wedding party, parents, siblings, and the groom's daughter (also the maid of honor.)  It was an emotional and impactful parade.  I was impressed by their poise and the bride's vivid smile and spot-on posture.  Their happiness was simply contagious. 

Afterwards guests refreshed with mason jars full of local micro brews, and a buffet of smoked salmon, dolmas, fruit salad and a gorgeous cheese platter, all of which was laid out inside the barn. 

I enjoyed the simplicity of an afternoon wedding.  It felt very old-fashioned and picnic-like. 

Alas, the problem with vacations, however long or short, is that they must end.  So I've returned to work after a busy day at home on Monday.  I spent a fortune at Ralph's and Trader Joe's in order to have food for the week.  I am beginning to cook my way through Mark Bittman's list of 101 easy dinners recently published in the NY Times.  That guy is my hero.  I also made a batch of stuffed shells with arugula and marinara to take over to Mike and Ruthie's - so I didn't feel so guilty cuddling their new baby the day they returned home from the hospital.  Lord, I love that big little guy already.   

And, as I type, I'm sipping a Hot Pink raspberry vodka martini made with my parents' homemade raspberry infused vodka.  This particular libation's recipe follows the principles of an excellent  margarita: 1 oz vodka, 1/2 oz triple sec, the juice of one very fresh lemon.  Shake.  Strain and serve up in a martini glass.  Heaven. 

Of course, if you were one of my brothers you'd be drinking the vodka simple, over ice.  True, it really is that good.   

Wardrobe maintenance.

Leaving town naturally involves a small amount of planning and strategy.  Tonight I feel decidely behind-the-game for my Thursday morning departure.  I did manage a few small preparations; various clothing pieces are laid atop the bedroom chair, though few outfits are likely to emerge from the cotton and cashmere pile.  I also did a bit of pre-vaca hand washing and there occured what I humbly consider a moment of sheer brilliance.  To wring out my undergarments while maintaining their helpful shape:  the salad spinner. 

Worked like a dream. 

And so convenient. 

Mom's remedies.

I thought seriously about my blog before I signed up.  Why I'm doing it.  What I'm trying to accomplish.  What I'd like my blog to look like (not this, certainly.)  And especially the content of my posts.

Clear and concise.  Focused on the aspects of my life I wish to ameliorate and enrich.  Positive.

Then, shortly after my first post...I experienced a loss.  A rough patch profound enough to bring in the calvary.  Mom.  Why is it that moms always make it better?  (As a mama to a toddler, I'm still amazed I  can always make it better.)  A week with only my mom and my very young son was a comfort to my soul: everything will be OK. 

A large part of my mom's calming influence stems from her nurturing instincts.  Is it surprising, then, that her caring tendency results in food and drink?  I doubt it was intentional, but several of the recipes she unearthed in my recipe box - which haven't surfaced in nearly 8 years - evoke idyllic childhood memories.

Cottage Cheese Rolls were my personal birthday breakfast tradition.  Regardless her full time job and three kids, Mom always began my birthday with a festive January breakfast.  These sweet rolls, golden brown on the outside, buttery soft on the inside, swathed in a sugary glaze, were the centerpiece.

Cottage Cheese Rolls

1 cup butter

12 0z cottage cheese (Mom wonders if she used a whole pint?)

2 cups flour

salt

Cream butter and cottage cheese.  Add flour.  Refrigerate 4 hours (or overnight.)  Divide in three parts and roll into 16 - 17" circle.  Cut into 12 pie-shaped pieces.  Beginning at wide edge, roll up to create a crescent roll shape.  Place on cookie sheet, point underneath.  Cook at 350 degrees for 25- 35 minutes.  Remove to wire rack and top with glaze. 

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbs room temperature butter

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 Tbs milk

Beat ingredients together and frost rolls while still warm. 

Note: Thank goodness Mom only made the first dozen...I can eat these like candy.  The remaining two portions and leftover glaze kept in my fridge for a few days before I baked them to share with Erick and cousin Kelly.  I'd also like to try freezing pre-rolled, uncooked rolls and then popping them in the oven for a little longer than normal.

 

The peach fuzz.  Doesn't the name just sound cheerful?  This was a summertime favorite, with my brothers and I crowded around the blender and enjoying this smoothie-like cocktail on the patio.  Ours were always virgin; I suppose Mom and Dad created a second batch with vodka.  Leaving the peach skin on adds the fuzz to this luscious cocktail.  Call it a boat drink or a chick beverage if you must.  It's a warm summer sunset in a glass and it makes me happy. 

Peach Fuzz

Blend 6 oz. pink lemonade concentrate and 3 whole peaches.  Stir in 6 oz. vodka.  Add ice to fill and blend smooth.

P.S.  Tonight I crossed another project off my list:  Jimmy's 60th birthday scrapbook.  After a few attempts, in both a party and a professional vein, at the scrapbook-as-a-group-project project, I have a few thoughts.  But that's for another post.  With pictures.