Salsa Colorado

I've become a big fan of Salsa Verde, or "Green Salsa.” Related to Gooseberries, the tomatillos used to make it look like Chinese lanterns with green tomatoes inside. This year, I was in charge of cranberry sauces. I was a little tired of the typical cranberry incarnations, so I exchanged highly acidic tomatillos for cranberries, added a little extra sugar, water and voila! Salsa Colorado -- not only because I love my home state (I do) but because Colorado means "red," which this tangy topping is. You can use fewer or more jalapenos, depending on how hot you like things. This recipe will give your Salsa an initial kick, but it should only be medium hot.


1 bag fresh cranberries
1 bunch cilantro
1 1/2 roasted jalapeƱos
1 roasted yellow pepper
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 red onion
1 medium pinch salt
Zest of one lime

Blacken jalapeƱos and bell pepper on a gas stove or in a broiler. Meanwhile, make a syrup with lime juice, water and sugar by boiling together for 2 minutes. Remove peppers from the oven. Remove stems and skins, as possible. Put everything in a blender or food processor and pulverize. If needed, thin with equal parts lime juice and water. Also feel free to add salt and sugar to taste. Eat with tofu, turkey, chips, or whatever might be lying around needing something to make it more interesting.

Oh, Holy Night!

We TD's are still recovering from the gustatory splendors of last week. Thanksgiving was a spectacularicious celebration of family, friendship and the plenty of our lives together. Ten siblings, my princely Mr. One, our plump and juicy children, dear friends, various dogs and cats... The food was mind-blowing, the conversation was glittering, the chaos was all-encompassing. It was glorious.

As I looked around the delicious mayhem that filled my (very brave!) friend's home, I was seized with a Gratitudinous Spasm. (I'm pretty sure that really is a medical condition.) I couldn’t help but remember last year, when most of the family gathered in a hospital room with Two, who couldn’t talk or even breathe unassisted. Our whole familial world was suspended in a place too tense and frightening to revisit. Even in a blog.

It is truly unbelievable to me how much our lives have changed over the past few years. I am so thankful for the hope, faith, tenacity and optimism that surrounds me in my family. I am grateful for the joy that it creates, and the magic that fills our happy times together.


And now, I am grateful for Christmas. And that we found The Muppet Christmas Carol (a.k.a. The Greatest Movie of All Time) OnDemand last night.


P.S. I know there will be future posts dedicated to some of the amazing deliciousness we enjoyed for our Thanksgiving feast. I played a very minor role in food-creation this year, but I did make cornbread stuffing and procured a perfect pecan pie. Both were, A) delicious, and, B) completely stress- and drama-free. I call that a Thanksgiving Win.

Thanksgiving Tastes Good

Roasted beets topped with garlic pecan balsamic butter and chevre
Herbed focaccia topped with roasted pine-nuts, pumpkin, and chevre
Brandied fairytale pumpkin pie with chestnut cream
Spiced apple cupcakes with caramel buttercream frosting
Foccacia with Jarlsberg cheese and candied lemon
Pecan pie
Chocolate mousse torte
Coconut pumpkin pie with a coconut graham cracker crust
Apple pie












































































































































and so, so much more.

Happy Thanks(giving)

Today I am grateful for a lot of things. 
Last week we visited St. Maarten, Puerto Rico and Haiti. Unfortunately, by the time we got to Haiti the situation had deteriorated so drastically that we weren't allowed to go into Cap-Hatien to deliver the pallets of aid we had brought. The day before we arrived, seven UN workers were killed; hoards of Hatians are dying in the streets of cholera, a disease which -- with the necessary supplies -- can be reliably and inexpensively treated; and, in the days before we arrived, gangs dug up most of the roads in and out of cities--making travel by anything other than motorcycle almost impossible. (D, a friend who has been doing relief work in Haiti since January, explained that a trip which usually took him 2 hours took 10 after the road damage).
The conditions in Haiti are beyond depressing, but they did highlight many of the blessings which I enjoy daily and often take for granted. As did our day at an orphanage in St. Maarten. The 40 or so kids who live there (and range in age from 0-14 years) could not have been sweeter. Calling the head of the home 'mom' and each other 'brother' and 'sister', they operated more like a family than an orphanage. They didn't have much--not even shoes--but what they lacked in material possessions, they made up for in emotional depth and--I know it's cheesy, but I'm gonna say it--love.
Devon! I really, really wanted to take him home.
Happy Thanksgiving!
 Visit: http://www.airlineamb.org/ for more info about our trip and humanitarian work in Haiti.

And I am here for the food.

I have a long (yet typical) list of things to be thankful for this year. I feel truly blessed, and deeply grateful to have things like a great job, wonderful boyfriend, and the best family ever.

*PHEW* I'm glad that's out of the way. Because what I'm most thankful for at Thanksgiving is this AWESOME holiday. I am so glad we have one day a year where we're not celebrating when we're supposed to be somber. Every time Memorial Day or Veterans Day (or a host of other days) rolls around I just end up feeling guilty for thinking about sales and salads when I should be thinking about sacrifice. I appreciate the thought behind these types of holidays, but isn't it a tad ironic that we spend Labor Day lounging? Wouldn't it make more sense to take off, say Celebration of Life Week (Jan 1-7), or International Eat an Apple Day (conveniently observed on my birthday...Sept 17th. I like food gifts)?

I like that there's not a secret Thanksgiving meaning. The name couldn't be more self-explanatory, or more joyous! Come. Give Thanks. (and EAT!) So I'm grateful to be feelin' the love, feedin the folks, and frolicking through the posts at Uncomfortable Moments with Putin this Thanksgiving!
P.S. I'm also thankful I saw Santa driving around in his green, snowflake-detailed convertible last week. When he saw my camera flash he looked at me and winked!

I win!

While One is having a hard time coming up with a profound post on gratitude, I am not. I have been in New York City and after a meeting, I headed uptown for a walk in the park where I came face to face with ... BERGDORF-GOODMAN HOLIDAY WINDOW EXTRAVAGANZA!! Now THAT is something to write home about! This year, the theme is travel --- to distant lands and to the bottom of the sea, to enchanted toadstool woods and to outer space. Their artists take us to places previously reserved for our childhood imaginations. We just haven't had time to go there again... til now! For your own gratitude inducing viewing pleasure, here it is... window shopping at Bergdorf's.



















The oyster opens and closes, revealing a 9 carat ruby!


You can see the artist himself, peeking out behind the monkeys!

PS. I am not as vapid as this post seems, but I was somewhat overcome by the majesty of these window displays. I have also been somewhat overcome with -- well -- with how good of bloggers my sisters are! So in an effort to contribute something a little different, this window shoping feature might just become a staple of my posts. Stay tuned...

Me and my virtuous vampire. ha ha ha. it was a joke... see his eyes?... Ok. It didn't work... I get it...

Turkey Day

I am feeling a lot of pressure to come up with a profound statement on gratitude. Because, let's face it: I am truly, deeply, richly blessed.

But I've had something of a crummy day and was up most of the night with an upset baby and the thought of paying homage to the innumerable things in my life for which I ought give thanks is kind of giving me a headache. So I'm gonna let that post brew for a while.

Rather, let me leave you with this heartfelt nugget of gratitudinous reflection: Today, more than ever, I am very thankful I am not a turkey.


In the spirit of Five



When I saw this (super awesome) clip it reminded me of Five's post about popcorn on the cob. I guess this is what it would look like if you were inside that paper bag (well, this x750... i checked).

a tale of two FLOWERS!!

This week I was the lucky recipient of not one, but TWO beautiful bouquets! Granted, it was my birthday, but I still felt very special. The flowers were made even more lovely by that fact that they were gifts from two of my very favorite lovelies; Two, and Dr. P. Now here’s the thing about boys and girls, they’re different.
She says: “I got you a surprise!”
He says: “I got you flowers...?”
I say: “I love them!!”
She says: “I’m so glad, I hope they’re pretty!”
He Says: “Yeah, girls really like flowers.”
I say: “I LOVE you!”

I don't know why you say goodbye...

Yesterday I woke up at 3:48am to drive Dr. P to the airport. If I’m being honest, I was being extremely magnanimous. I didn't want to get up, I didn't want to drive him, and I certainly did not want him to actually get on the flight to New Mexico. He'll be away for about two months (here he would have me clarify that it's actually only 7 weeks), first in Indian Country, and then to the country India. I know that I should be excited for him, (and I am) but I hate goodbyes. One of the reasons they are so hard for me is that I'm horrible at keeping in touch with people, it was one of the main motivating factors behind starting this blog! It's an awful characteristic, in fact, I think it's the worst thing about me. So in the days leading up to (and months following) my adieu to my beau, I'm trying to follow the wisdom of my fathers when they rallied round the cry of "I don't know why you say goodbye, I say HELLO!"

In the spirit of the season (and the Beatles) I'm going to look for opportunities to spread cheer and say hello. Hello to old friends, new activities, and maybe even a little time alone. I'm going to sat hello to STATA, and Santa, and the 100 Push-up challenge. And hopefully, if you're one of those I love dearly, but have been neglecting, I'll say hello to you too (and not just though our blog :).


So Hello Friends!



Helloooo Coco Sala!


Goodbye Dr. P!!


i miss you!

Stuck in my head

I've been humming this song for two days. Purists can enjoy it here, here or even here. But I kinda suggest just watching the version below....




Reflections of a Stay-at-homeless Mom...

The One family is "temporarily" installed at my grandmother's home on Capitol Hill, a.k.a. Camp Mimo. I've complained about what a drag it is that our renovation is taking forever and must appear to have quite the badtitude about the situation. But here's a little secret: It's actually kind of awesome.

Mimo is, truly, the Hostess with the Mostest. That usually means the mostest visitors. Newlyweds and adolescent boys, toddlers and ill-behaved doglets -- there is not a nightmare house guest she doesn't welcome with a big hug and a toasty cheese sandwich. Marauding hordes descend on her lovely home two or three generations at a time, along with friends, spouses, creatures and exotic houseplants. My daughter raids her jewelry box while my hubby raids the pantry. Then the two of them duke it out over whether the evening's entertainment will consist of Curious George reruns or Fox News. Seriously, people, the woman is an angel. With a twinkle in her eye, Mimo cheerfully disregards personal comfort and sanity, and sets such a marvelous example of savoring the delightful chaos, every day turns into a party.

When we first landed at Camp Mimo, it was definitely a full house. But NarBan (a.k.a. Brother C and his Very Lovely Bride) moved on to their own place, Brother S. is off keeping an eye on Momo and the gang in Haiti (for the record, their "humanitarian trip" sounds an awful lot like a cruise...), and Mimo herself is away for most of this week. Suddenly, we're all alone. And I find myself humming a lot of Joni Mitchell and missing them all terribly much.



Princess H, Mimo and Tiny
enjoying a perfect Autumn day at Eastern Market


Top 5 Things I LOVE About Being a Spoiled Squatter/Nomad

1. COMMUNAL LIVING! Yes, I miss personal space. But I lovelovelove four chefs under one roof, a quick unencumbered run to the corner store and nice adult conversation when Mr. One is putting in another late night at the office (a sad side-effect of his new job, which, btw, he nonetheless enjoys very much).

2. Location, location, location. Mimo's house is an easy walk from our place, but, frankly, it's in a much more charming and convenient corner of the neighborhood. Love it.

3. Less stuff. Sometimes, I don't love this. But usually I do.

4. Motivational discomfort. Since we don't have all our toys and diversions, I'm making more of an effort to get out every day to enjoy our amazing city -- museums, concerts, classes and friends are a more important part of our daily routine, and we all love it.

5. Happy memories. For as long as I can remember, this little house has been one of the Happiest Places on Earth. It still is, and I'm so glad my husband, children and I are able to enjoy so much of this joyful magic together.

A Cheese Sampler

Our family has a distinct proclivity for cheese. Of all varieties.

Example A)


Random Cowboy Picture

Example B)



Matching Dirndls


Example C)
Irish Fondue

This mind-blowing innovation was the brainchild of Three, and flawlessly executed by Brother S, (when a shortage of Emmentaler kinked his plans for a traditional Swissstravaganza). It is absolutely perfect for this fresh, cozy season, especially when paired with Stayman apples from the farmers' market and a long afternoon romping through leaves. Yum!
  • Grate ~2lb aged Irish cheddar and toss with 2 Tbs. all purpose flour.
  • Gently warm two bottles of dark beer (we used a spicy little brew called Black Chocolate Ale, but my teetotaling palate has a hunch anything rich and bubbly would be delish. Except, perhaps, root beer. Don't try that.)
  • When the beer is steaming hot but not yet boiling, slowly add the floured cheese, one scant handful at a time, constantly stirring with a wooden spoon in a figure-8 pattern, watching carefully to ensure the fondue doesn't boil.
  • When all that cheesey goodness is incorporated and you have an irresistibly creamy vat and you imagine it couldn't possibly get any more delicious, swirl in a generous Tablespoon of pure maple syrup. Oh my.
Serve this up with fresh pumpernickel, assertive gherkins and the very best apples you can find.



No, I am not kissing that marvelous morsel of cheesy-pickle awesome,
but only because it didn't occur to me in the moment to do so.