Bookclub Bites

Before anything... Go and get American Grace at www.charitysunshine.com. It drops tomorrow and it's gonna be epic.

Now...

A recipe request from Paige:

Kimber's Stuffed Figs*

A dozen figs

aged English cheddar with truffles (not too spendy from Trader Joe's!)
honey from Dave's hive on the roof (I suppose honey from a jar would work in a *pinch*)

chèvre 

balsamic vinegar reduction

prosciutto 

flower pepper to garnish

1. Slice figs in half, longways. If you're feeling ambitious, grill them, seeded side down on a hot, lightly greased pan with a sprinkling of sugar for about 30 seconds.

2. Place about a teaspoon of cheese on each fig -- 12 with truffled cheddar and 12 chèvre. 

3. Drizzle balsamic reduction** on figs with chèvre and top with strips of prosciutto.

4. Garnish cheddar figs with local honey. 

5. Grind flower pepper over the whole yummy lot of them.

6. Eat one or two before your guests arrive, so they don't feel bad taking the first gorgeous morsel, which actually might taste even better than it looks.

7. Impress everyone.

*edited to include the REAL recipe -- nice try, Charity!
**reduction: a cup of balsamic vinegar with a half cup of sugar on medium heat until it reduces in volume by 50%

Make Cake, Not War.

Did you know World Nutella Day is a thing? Honestly, I wish I didn't. But since my cousin clued me in and had a party and invited me to come, I couldn't very well feign ignorance. Given the auspiciousness of the celebration, baking a cake seemed like a perfectly reasonable way to spend a blustery Saturday. And I knew just the cake for the occasion.

Hungarian nut tortes are really nostalgic for me. They remind me of every golden afternoon I ever spent in a sun-drenched café on the Duna Corso. Momo made one for my 22nd birthday that BLEW MY MIND -- particularly because my little brother sneaked in to hand deliver it at the Missionary Training Center. (For those of you not Mormon enough to fully understand this -- imagine Jason Bourne breaking into the boys camp in Moonrise Kingdom, and then singing like the nuns in Sister Act. With a chocolate cake. It was just like that.) It's been a few years, so I think it's finally safe to tell that story....

This isn't a particularly complicated recipe, but it does have a lot of steps. And if you're completing each of these steps with the not-at-all-able assistance of six small hands that each need to be rewashed every time the attached child decides to lick a finger or pick a nose (not necessarily belonging to that same small child), it can easily occupy you and your tiny sous chefs for an entire afternoon.

Aaaaaanyway. This is an awesome cake. It's gluten free, but just because it's always been that way -- no weird chemistry or strange ingredients required. Traditionally, these are also dairy free, but they can also be a little dry. As I contemplated this dilemma, while looking at my beautiful batter that I really hoped would bake into a moist, fragrant cloud, I asked myself, "WWJD" (which, in my kitchen at least, means "What Would Jutka Do?"). I closed my eyes, reverently reflected on the principles of Hungarian cookery for which my ancestors died (Or nearly died -- Didi had a quintuple bypass, people!). Then, I reached for the sour cream. Obvi.

The result is light and moist, elegant and a little different. It's also super-flexible: delicious with fresh fruit and simple whipped cream, or it can hold its own with a more robust frosting like this one. Whipped egg whites folded into the batter give it a marvelously light, airy texture, but it's sturdy enough to withstand a solid drizzle of liqueur or syrup. I have a hunch you could turn it into a wicked tiramisu. You get the idea....

Hungarian Hazelnut Torte
with Mocha-Nutella Buttercream

St. Polycarp's Day

So, Valentine's Day.

I feel like people have been super into it this year. I started hearing festive murmurs more than two weeks ago, which is keen for Christmas or Flag Day or something really important like that, but strikes me as premature for V-Day. Don't misunderstand me -- I'm not one of those people who can't stand the thought of other people having a special time to show love for each other. In fact, I actually like the idea of an entire holiday dedicated to a special warm feeling!

I'm just not sure about the choice of special warm feeling.

I mean, love is swell and all, but does it deserve a day -- practically an entire month -- when all the other feelings don't even get two moments of silence to rub together? We need a bit of diversity in our emotionally motivated feast days, by jove!

"But Glorianna," you may object "you can't make all of these excellent points and then run off without offering some sort of solution!" That is why I am officially proposing a new holiday -- one to celebrate all of those people who really don't like other people at the moment.

I propose we call it Saint Polycarp's Day.

Mr. Polycarp was a 1st century Smyrnish (ean? (off?)) martyr. He is also the patron saint of earaches, which inspire a dull, constant, boring pain in your head similar to that experienced around people you don't like. The holiday can be today (7 is a prime number and has always struck me as nice and moody), and we can appropriate a lot from it's fuzzier cousin a week nigh: the cutesy color scheme; the excessive amounts of chocolate; I've even mocked up a couple of Polycarp Day cards to distribute to your least favorite people.

I don't know about you, but getting a couple of these in the mail every February 7th would just about ruin my day. And that's a beautiful feeling which should be treasured and celebrated.

So I invite y'all to join with me (but, like, not really) in wishing all of those special people you really despise an extra miserable St Polycarp's Day. (I made a card for that, too:)

Football Fries

Pull Apart Football Fries with Maple Garlic Glaze and Siracha Mayo

1 large yam

(If you want to be a real bronco fan, use a mix of blue potatoes and yams with the same preparation.)

3 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 large clove garlic

A generous pinch of each:

Smoked paprika, salt, freshly ground pepper and turmeric

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Slice yam 10x long ways and 5 x cross ways without cutting through the bottom skin (see photo).

3. Slice garlic -- I used a carrot peeler.

4. Mix olive oil, maple syrup, garlic and spices.

5. Place potato in baking dish with a lip -- I used a bread pan, but if you make more than one, use something bigger.

6. Pour oil mixture over the top, making sure the garlic is equally distributed and the oil and spices coat each fry.

7. Sprinkle with a little brown sugar, sorghum or honey.

8. Place in oven and cook for 40-60 minutes, depending on how big your yam is. Once half way through cooking, spoon oil mixture over potato again.

Meanwhile...

Mix

1/2 cup mayo
1 tbsp Siracha sauce

Remove football pull apart fries from oven. Serve immediately. Serves 1 or 2.

Blorange Bronco Breakfast imBibement. Boom.

This recipe is terribly simple, but also quite delicious. Sort of like Peyton Manning. I kid! I kid! Mr. Manning is one smart dude, totes obvi. I mean, the guy understands football. That's something I can't even begin to hope to have the brain juice to accomplish. But you know what kind of juice I do have? Orange juice. And you know what tastes darn good in a blender with a couple of handfuls of tiny frozen blueberries? Huh? You guessed it -- orange juice. If there's anything this recipe has in common with the Broncos, it's the fact that it's a winner.

Super Simple Superbowl Smoothie

Frozen blueberries

Orange juice

Combine. Blend. Pour. Drink. Cheer.

GO BRONCOS!!!!!! XLVIII!!!!!! WOOO WOOO WOOO!!!! YES WE CAN!!!!!!!

Bronco Bites

Color Me Orange (gnocchi) and Blue (cheese crumble)

Gnocchi

1 large yam

1 cup cream cheese or ricotta

2 eggs

4 cups flour

2 tbsp salt

A pinch of nutmeg

Cream wet ingredients together, then knead in dry ingredients. Add floured until dough no longer feels wet to the touch. Separate into four balls and wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate til ready to use. Roll dough into long pieces and cut or twist apart at 1 inch intervals for "footballs". Pan-fry with paprika or boil til pasta float to the top, reserving 1/4 cup water.

Crumble

1/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup blue cheese

2 large pieces stale bread

Combine in food processor or blender. Plus til fine powder develops. Toss with pasta and pasta water or sprinkle on top of pan fried gnocchi before serving.

Today is a good day.

We're celebrating a bit of an anniversary in the Tillemann-Dick clan. (If you're at all confused, this link might help clarify some things.) I can't say in words how grateful I am to the person who chose to preserve life in the midst of death two years ago today. That decision has changed my life and that of everybody I love for the waaay better -- especially that of a certain sister with a penchant towards strong opinions and delicious foodstuffs. Wherever you are, Thank You. Thank you so much.



To everybody else who might be reading this, please consider registering as an organ donor. Please consider asking your friends to register as organ donors. It's a good thing. I promise.

In fact, if you have any questions or concerns about registering as a donor, send me a note at nonitd@gmail.com. I would love to talk through any uncertainties about the registration or donation process you may have, I just need to know about them first. It's not exactly a pleasant subject to have a conversation about, but it's important.

Have a exceptionally lovely weekend.

Notes from Montreal

Birthday Cake!

Howdy, folks! I hope things are peachy, though - from what I've heard - after two weeks of earth shatteringly frigid weather up north, y'all are experiencing some pretty nasty stuff down yonder. Stay warm. And Safe. And healthy (that last one is directed mostly at Charity, but it's for all of you). This week has been pretty packed. And while the temperature is definitely much higher than it has been, the results are less than keen. For example: as a result of the warming, melting, and freezing which has taken place of the last few days, entire parking have turned into sheets of ice. No joke. And the ice is thick. And there's really no way to find spots which aren't slippery - because everything is ice. Everything. It's....and adventure, to be sure. And it is only by the grace of God that I have not fallen on my face - several times. I have no idea how I've managed to stay vertical. It is maybe a not so small miracle. 

So...my companion and I are very blessed right now. We have a lot of people to teach. For missionaries serving in a fairly snobby suburb of Montreal, we feel tremendously fortunate. And our amis are really cool. And loving, and just good people. Occasionally we have a hard time understanding how we balance being friends while still teaching the gospel, but it works out. We also work with a lot of recent converts and less -active or returning members. For the most part, we just love all of the people we see. A lot. But no matter who we're teaching, one of the biggest difficulties we have is controlling time. It's. Just. SO. Hard. Our job would be easier if we had enough time to talk to our amis about everything that's going on their lives, help them with whatever they need help with, AND teach them the gospel, but there's just never enough time for anything.  

Everyone needs different things - Sometimes the goal of our visits is to teach new information, sometimes it's more about reminding people of things they already know. Sometimes the work is really hard, and sometimes - when my days are just so profoundly enriching and rewarding - I feel guilty for ever thinking missionary work was hard. . .

Ok. Time's up. Pour le vrai. I love y'all far too much. It makes my insides squirm when I think about it. You're just the very best. 

Until next week!

Notes from Montreal

Huzzah!

It's 2014! I'm old! But I'm alive! Despite having no heat in our apartment for three (!) days last week. Yerp. It. Was. Cold. Actually, to be a little less vague, things here got down to a toasty -39F last week....For any of you who can't even begin to comprehend what that means, I will translate: it. was. unbearably. frigid. Like 5 pairs of fleece-lined tights, two pairs of leggings, many socks, boots, toe-warmers shoved in boots, all covered by wool skirt kind of cold. Yeees. It got so bad that we had to move-in with some other sisters - which was actually really fun. So it's all good. We had a little New Years Fete (I know I don't have the accents, but I can't worry about those things at a time this); we popped some bubbly, shoved grapes in our mouths and made wishes (apparently its what all the cool kids down south do nowadays), popped some poppers, jumped around and sang some really delightful, really off-key French drinking songs. Happy 2014! I also made sure to shove everyone full of lentils, and took time to bathe my visage with apple water. So it should be a good year. We  spent New Years Day with one of our investigators and ate traditional Haitian/French soup. You should look up the recipe. It's independence soup - with squash and stuffs. You'd like it. 

Actually, this last week we were celebrating all over the place. I turned 22! :( But it was ok. My district threw me a wonderful party with the most exquisite blood orange praline cake. It was really very beautiful. And it was procured at the most amazing bakery! If anyone wants to visit, I'll take you there. It's called Rococo and I discovered it last week.

Oh, so - we teach an English class every Friday night. Well, last Friday night, we didn't teach. The other missionaries taught, but while we were at another lesson, we got a text from an unknown number inviting us to lunch the next day. After a little back and forth, we realized it was one of our English students. He invited us to meet his family and eat Moroccan couscous together. It was very unexpected, and a little strange because English class is supposed to be completely non-religious service. It takes place in the church building, but we are not allowed to talk about religion. And we also felt a little strange talking about religion with this lovely Muslim family. But they were totally into it! We talked a lot about both of our faiths, and they were really kind. They were also very surprised and touched to learn more about what we were doing in Canada as missionaries. The mother became teary-eyed as she explained that she didn't think there were other people like us in the world. Thought they are probably not going to join the church, they would not stop telling us that their impression of the United States was so very positive after meeting us. We're the only Americans or Canadians they know here!!!! They both worked with the UN before coming to Quebec, but now they only know other immigrants. Which is crazy. But it was great. The only problem was that they expected us to spend the ENTIRE day with them. And that just wasn't possible. So, after 2+ hours we bade them adieu and scurried off to our other lessons. 

Yesterday one of the members of our congregation asked us to meet him in the kitchen after church. He's studying food processing or something strange like that. He is a very nice person, and made me an impeccable, three layer black forest cake which was quite amazing. I don't think I've ever had so many special birthday cakes, but it was very dear. And very impressive. It was perfect. I'll send you pictures. Unfortunately the taste may not translate, but it was really, really good. The members here are crazy nice. Weeeeellllll, I love you so much! I have to run! But thank you again for all of your goodness and love! Tom sent me the sweetest book of pictures and memories and it just made me reflect a little more on how very much I love each and every one of you. Thank you for being so awesome.

Muchas smoochas!

P.S. One of the sisters from my zone in the MTC got into a terrible accident. She was serving in Tahiti and was hit by a car while riding her bike. She's been in a coma ever since, and I can only imagine how her family is feeling. People have been so kind about praying for us when we've been in similarly dire circumstances; if you could make sure to include Sister Rachel Taylor in your prayers that would be super. I love you all so much! 

D*mn the Torpedoes

A few quick thoughts:

1) I'm one of those awful people who typically just looks at the pictures on the blogs I "read."

2) I just ate an entire pineapple all by my lonesome. 

3) I am incredibly excited for what the new year has to bring. 

There's something magic about welcoming a fresh beginning surrounded by people you adore. We had a small silly party to ring in the new year, in our sweet little home. We ate peasant food, and played parlor games. No champagne was popped, and we almost missed the final countdown. It was not what one might call an "epic" night. But you know what it was? Perfect. 

Happy New Year everyone. 

May 2014 bring us all innumerable joys, adventures and triumphs.   

One final thought before I go. If you've recently hosted a party at your house, it's best to put away all of the bowls of peanut butter m&ms as soon as possible. 

Notes from Montreal

Yesterday I received three impossibly delightful packages from The Cookies, Momo, and Glorianna! Thank you so much! They were far too lovely. And they came at the perfect time because I came down with a very nasty flu-type thing last week. After a day of rest (I think I slept around 16 between yesterday and last night), I'm feeling much better. I'm not exactly healthy, but I'm much better.

And while it's never fun to be sick, it's particularly unpleasant to be sick away from home. But the people here are really kind and caring. Our investigators sent me special remedies and treats, less-active members called to make sure I was ok and to coach me on how to recover quickly, and members called to offer any help I needed. It was very heartwarming. Y'all should know I'm being well taken care of :) 

For much of last week, missionary work took the form of caroling. We teamed up with two of the other sisters and went around singing in four part harmony with our very own guitar accompaniment. It was a really special way to pass the days before and after Christmas. And having the time to visit those we recognized as being alone, and to spread a little holiday cheer through music, cookies, and the message of Christ's love was an amazing gift. A lot of the people we visited said we were their only visitors for the holiday season. We also put on two concerts at old folks' homes. It wasn't (isn't) easy being away from all of the people I love most - especially during the holidays, but it is gratifying to know that I'm using my time for good - and to see that being here does make a difference in others' lives. (We were so busy last week that we didn't have much time to help people shovel sidewalks during the day. Instead we adopted the habit of using the 30 minutes after our last appointments of the day to take part in night-shovelling! It was a little odd. But also probably good exercise.) 

Perhaps in an effort to repay us for our efforts to uplift and inspire, one of our friends decided to give us some pretty elaborate gifts. For my companion, the gift took the form of some saucy, spiky, sandals. And for me....A winter coat with a giant fur collar. As in, real. dead. animal. Hanging all over my neck. I didn't really know what to say - except...wow! and thank you! And that's faaaaar too nice of you. *Eeeep*. She's keeping it for me until I have a place to put it......

We're spending New Years with some of our investigators. They are also Haitian and apparently all Haitians eat special independence soup on New Years. It a French soup which Haitians weren't allowed to eat before winning their freedom. So it's kind of a big deal now. Imma make some lentils, too. Just to be sure :) 

HAPPPPEEEEE NOOOOOOOOOOOOH YEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRE

A Mormon, A Lesbian and Baby Jesus

A word of advice: If you're invited to dinner, it's probably a bad idea to bring up abortion during the main course. Especially if the family is Mormon. But for some reason, I thought it was the right time and place to air my left-leaning views about the topic which almost a decade later, I understand is only something a rude, self righteous teenager would do. I could see the husband's face getting red. A very mild mannered man, he was finishing medical school at Johns Hopkins University. "I have been in the room during abortions and there is a darkness there." He went onto explain that from the time he was young, his parents had taken in single, expectant mothers through the birth of their children and cared for the young women until after their children were adopted and/or after they had a more secure place in the world to care for their children. 

The other night, I attended an event held by Women in Government, an organization that brings women of all political stripes together to discuss issues without the partisan rancor. I met Pat Spearman. She is a veteran, an ordained minister, a former police officer and the first lesbian ever to serve in the Nevada State Senate. I happened to sit next to her when she got a text message. It was from a 12 year old boy who was in the middle of basket ball practice. She explained that when his mother was expecting, she was on the brink of poverty. It was a choice between providing for the children she had or the financial ruin that the pregnancy and expenses of another child would bring. Senator Spearman had an idea. She told the woman that money should not be a deciding factor of whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. Ms. Spearman promised to help provide financially and emotionally for the child, which she has done for a dozen years.

Jesus sounded like the dictionary definition of an unwanted pregnancy. Despite His Father's divinity, Jesus was the bastard child of a fourteen year old, single, minority woman in the 1st century. Talk about a nightmare. Single, pregnant women were frequently stoned to death, violently ending life and the potential for it. If Mary's cousin Elizabeth wouldn't have swooped in, giving Mary food, shelter and emotional support during and after the pregnancy, who knows if the Christian world would exist, let alone have known Jesus as their Lord and Savior? 

Abortion is not a new phenomenon. It's as old as history. The missing link in the abortion debate isn't political: it's human. A study of women who receive abortions by the Guttmacher Institute suggests that almost three quarters of women do not feel financially able to care for a/nother child. Almost 50% of respondents were afraid of the implications of single motherhood. 20% felt pressure from a sexual partner or parent to end a pregnancy. Pregnancy carries enormous professional stigma and many women are fired or never rehired after taking maternity leave.  Many women facing abortion don't see a choice. They see abortion as their only real option. They don't see the possibility of a real life for their children; so why would they bring them into the world? 

It speaks volumes about the Mormon family that they continued making the lives of young women and children possible and that we are still friends. It speaks volumes about the Senator that twelve years later, she plays an active role in the young man's life that she helped save. They have different beliefs about whether or not or when abortion should be legal,* but they are doing more to address the issue of abortion than any lobbyist in Washington, any court ruling or any tirade on facebook. 

If we're pro-choice, we need to make sure women know they have options beyond professional and social stigma, unemployment and poverty. That we'll rally around if they give their baby another loving home through adoption or bring a child up themselves, despite any medical challenges that baby might face. If women or men decide to leave the workforce to care for children, we should be ready and willing to hire them when they return to employment outside of the home.  If we're pro-life, we need to try and provide children a life worth living once they exit the womb, with education, housing, health care and nurturing relationships. We need to advocate for maternity and paternity leave and work to have family friendly workplaces. 

Antiabortion legislation certainly didn't save baby Jesus. It was a friend who was willing to step in and pick up the extra slack.Who was there to love and support Mary. Elizabeth didn't tell Mary what to do. She let her come and stay until Mary and Joseph figured how to deal with this unexpected, extremely inconvenient miracle. 

So between the dinner parties and cookies of the Christmas season, take a moment to think about the Elizabeth's in the world. Whether they're a Mormon family in Salt Lake or a lesbian legislator in Nevada, they're bringing peace to the discomforted and miracles to even the worst dinner guests. 

While elective abortion is considered a serious sin, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints does not have a political position on abortion regarding its legality. For more information, visit mormon.org

Notes from Montreal

  

Beloved Peoples! 

Singing Christmas music with old women is also really fun. Especially when it has been transcribed by non-native English speakers. Very entertaining. Example: We were singing Frosty the Snowman at the old folks' home. You know the part, in the second verse, where it says "until the other skater's knock him down"? Well, that was delightfully translated into: "Until the alligators knock him down." - which basically means the same thing. There are many other lovely examples, I just can't remember them at the moment.

Merry Christmas! There's a really wonderful video that you should all watch. It's called "Oh Emmanuel." It has The Piano Guys? And some really beautiful footage representing the life of Christ. I'm usually not super into that stuff, but it's very uplifting - and I would encourage you all to take 5 minutes to watch it.

Also, did you catch the Christmas Devotional last night? The music was spectacular, and the talks were....not my favorite. But there was a story which really touched me. It was about a young, single mother with 6 children - during the 1800s, I think? The man speaking had read the account from the mother's journal (she was one of his ancestors). She wrote about the anguish she felt as her hopeful children hung up their stocking, full of faith and expectation for what they would find in them the next morning. She knew she didn't have anything to fill the socks with, but she combed their small house, looking for something, anyway. And as she looked she found an old squash, which we realized she could roast and boil and use to make a simple, sweet syrup. After preparing the syrup she used it to flavor a flour, cinnamon and water mixture she had concocted. She and explained that after cutting the crude dough into every shape imaginable and cooking the pieces on the stove-top (they didn't have an oven) she packed the children's socks full of the imitation gingerbread. She recounted the children's delight upon finding the cookies in the morning and explained her relief at having been able to express her love for them in some small way. I'm afraid I didn't do a very good job at re-telling the story, but it was very moving - I think mostly because it's such a clear representation of the intense love we can have for each other - and the lengths we go to in order to express that love - however meager or inadequate those efforts may appear. And during this season, it's very humbling to recognize that Christ's sacrifice for us was made solely out of that same intense feeling of love for each one of us

Love you all!

The Most Unusual Pie at Thanksgiving

This past week, a dear friend was helping me all day. We were doing a photo shoot for an upcoming project (more on that soon). She has one of the most exquisite aesthetics I've ever seen and I can't wait to share the pictures with you. We went to get a bite afterward and one of her pumpkins (who is -- coincidentally -- Hetti's best friends) rode in the back of my car. When it was time to trade passengers, I couldn't find part of her booster seat. The next morning while cleaning out my car, I found the strap a midst the layers of a crinoline slip. I asked to drop it off, which brought a dinner invitation. I felt rather sheepish accepting since I really should have been the one to extend the invitation. But if I was going to go, I knew I needed to bring something delicious. This was the result.

A great alternative to quiche or stuffing, this works as a meal or a side and is great for your vegetarian or gluten free Thanksgiving guests. The cream and cheese can be omitted for unsweetened almond milk and apple juice for vegans. You can also substitute yogurt for cream. It will give your pie an extra tang.

Cheddar, Apple and Semolina Pie

1 1/2 cups semolina*
4 cups broth (veggie, mushroom or chicken)
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup cream
1 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cream cheese or chevre

Topping
1/2 lb kale
1 red onion
2 yams
1 crunchy apple (gala, pink lady or granny smith work well)
3 tbsp crushed, roasted nuts (I like hazelnuts, but almonds, walnuts or most anything else will work too)
Olive Oil for the pan

Salt and pepper to taste

Bring broth to a boil rolling boil. Add semolina slowly to avoid clumps. Cover and simmer until thick. Add cream, followed by grated cheddar cheese. Pour into 2 deep pie plates or one casserole dish, leaving about a half inch on top. Leave, uncovered to set. Meanwhile, chop and saute kale in olive oil followed by the red onions and yams. When vegetables are done, arrange on top on pie garnishing with nuts so each piece will get some of every vegetable. Serve warm or cold. Serves 8-10 people

TIP: I love to use my panini press to sautee veggies. If you put the top down, it cuts cooking time in half.

*You can also use cornmeal, polenta or grits. They're pretty much the same thing. Semolina is a slightly finer grain, but the measurements are the same.

We Salute You

I was in a South Carolina airport, checking my bags and getting ready to fly to another performance, when I saw people pouring out of the main terminal. A large group was dressed in vintage costumes, Rolling Thunder bikers were everywhere, there seemed to be a dozen color gaurds and a brass band was playing. There were hundreds of people, young and old, gathered together to welcome the returning soldiers. I told Yoni we needed to get more gigs in South Carolina. There was a group of WWII  veterans back from a trip to Washington DC. It was beautiful and wonderful and fun. I was overwhelmed with the commitment the community had to honoring people who protect us every day. When I asked if they did the same thing for veterans returning from current tours of duty, they explained they didn't. It just made me think for a while.

A Jolly Holiday

Here it is, people, The (belated) Halloween Money Shot(s):

Mary Poppins, Bert, and a wee waddling penguin

Aren't they too much? I die. Also, these go on file under easiest costumes ever. The whole communal ensemble was shopped from their closets. Willa's penguin hat was a very thoughtful gift from Momo, saving me from at least 10 minutes of hot glue gun frustration. Phinny's penguin hat was also a gift from Momo -- she brought it back from Japan a couple years ago, and it is officially my favorite souvenir ever.

On a related note, have you watched Mary Poppins lately? We've (obviously) been on a little kick. And I have to say re-watching it after 20 years totally blew my mind. I'd forgotten -- or more likely, never appreciated -- how beautiful and profound the story really is. When Mr. Banks finally breaks, and realizes what a treasure his children are, I just burst into tears. It reminds me what an unbelievable privilege it is to have this time with my sweet little people, and how incredibly fortunate we are that their daddy is first and foremost a lover of munchkins, magic, and monsters - and a super-serious, hard-nosed banker-lawyer-man mostly only during business hours (mostly). We're the luckiest. Go watch Mary Poppins. It will make you smile.

GUYS. Guys. Guys, Halloween Costumes Next Year? Guys?

An afternoon spent mourning Halloween's passing and doing nothing I was supposed to has resulted in whatever this is (I'll tell you what it is: magnificent). For reals though, I feel like dressing up as each other is a pretty good group outfit. The people who get it would think that we're so clever (or just weirdly obsessed with each other (or both of those things at the same time))!

Sisters, can we spend next Halloween together and do this? It would bring me so many giggles.

Other peoples, what was your favorite group costume you saw this Halloween? Hopefully there were some better ideas out there than Miley Cyrus and that creepy rape-y prison escapee. My favorite was Daft Punkin (two sleekly dressed dudes with their heads inside of jack-o-lanterns instead of robo-helmets).

Uncostumed? Ask 5.

We got a note from the folks over at Paul Fredrick asking us for some low-stress/high-reward Halloween costume ideas. But they already had some pretty good ideas, which made us think their email was just a backhanded way of rubbing their dumb creativity in our faces. This naturally made us feel super jelly and, consequently, hyper competitive. And that's why we wrote this post. If any of you guys haven't already devoted hours of careful concept development, stringent dress rehearsing, and tender sequin application to your All Hallow's Eve getup this year, seriously reconsider your priorities. Also, enjoy these last minute ideas for some last minute Halloween costumes from your favorite procrastinators (and if you end up wearing any of them, send us pictures at fivetdsisters@gmail.com)!

Kimber: "Future Wes Anderson character." Look in closet for any and all monochromatic clothing. Add contrasting (or coordinating) head gear, simple yet intense eye makeup, and severe hair. Name your character (good options included: Nan, Flossie, Mrs. Greoter, Dimple), and tell people it's a character from Wes Anderson's new movie. Not this one. People will either a) think you're in the know, or b) think you are quite clever. 

Charity: I always have grand plans for Halloween, but they typically don't work out. My friend Sarah Ward is a master of costuming and I recommend you check out some of her ideas. But here are a few thoughts from yours truly.

A pumpkin head. Cut a pathetic hole in the bottom of a large pumpkin along with eye holes (optional). Clean out pumpkin. Place on your head. Dress in black or jeans and flannel.

A dog. Tube socks make perfect ears when attached to a headband. Put on white, grey or black sweats, attach another tube sock to your fanny for a tail. Give your nose some attention from your eyeliner and make the tip a little black triangle, put on some freckles and Voila. You're a dog.

Fall down a hill in SF, scrape up your knee and wrap it up in gauze and surgical tape. Wait. Don't to that. I did that. It's not a good costume

Liberty: (1) Dress up like a panda* (for me this means black pants and sweatshirt, the fuzzy white faux-fur vest Momo got me last year, two buns for ears and HEAVY eyeliner).
(2) Cover panda costume with a large black sack.
(3) Pin a sign to the sack reading "Due to the shutdown of the federal government the Smithsonian National Zoo's Panda Cam will be offline until further notice."
*actual panda costume optional.

Mercina: We couldn't get in touch with Mercina in time for her to contribute to this post, but we're pretty sure we know what she would have suggested.


Glorianna: A famous person running errands. Wear what you always wear, but say that you're dressed as [insert name-of-that-one-celebrity-you've-always-kind-of-thought-you-look-sort-of-like here] when they're at the the grocery store or renewing their driver's license. People won't be able to help but say "Oh! Wow! I definitely see where you're getting that from. You guys have the exact same [smile / build / eyes / eyebrows / nostrils / hat / number of fingers]." Abracadabra: you spend the night feeling Hollywood handsome (it's cool, girls can be handsome too) after putting no extra effort into your appearance. Double success.

Have a question? Ask 5. You'll have a 1 in 5 chance that 

someone will see it your way!

Just send your questions to:

fivetdsisters@gmail.com

Opium Pie

Sunday evening, the entire DC TD clan gathered at Mimo's house for a massive potluck. A missionary serving in another local congregation grew up in the same Hungarian village as our great-grandfather, so we decided to muster our collective culinary bravado to help him feel at home. Momo was in town, and she turns every gathering into a party. But, even by our spoiled standards, this particular night had a magic alchemy -- sour cream flowed like the Danube, the seven little cousins performed a mini concert, and we all sang Hungarian hymns. And then we sang a few bawdy folk songs. We laughed until we cried trying to decipher polyglottal puns and remembering happy times, people we love and endless fields of Carpathian sunflowers.

For the occasion, I made my take on classic mákos pite. A friend of my grandmother's once called this rich poppy seed cake "opium pie," and the name stuck. I twisted the traditional recipe a bit, adding cream cheese to the shortbread and abandoning the egg wash for a crumblier top. The results are pretty sophisticated -- my kids aren't quite sure yet whether they love it. But it was a home run with everyone over the age of seven. Which actually works out pretty well. 

The Very Best Of Indian Summer

When I was a kid, my mom used to go down to the Economy Market. It was a small, family owned Greek specialty store in Denver. I liked this for a few reasons. The first was I knew it meant Mom was making Greek food soon and I still haven't met someone who does it better. Secondly, when we went, Mom would usually get me a little honey sesame brittle which remains one of my very favorite candies. Finally, there was the feta. Glistening white and with it's distinctive vomitous smell, there was something about it that I found irresistible. When we had it, the kitchen's major draw wasn't cookies or ice cream; it was that amazing, salty cheese. I would eat it by the chunk. Mom liked it because she thought the name implied it was cheap. In fact, Economia was the family name, so there wasn't really a price cut. But that feta was unforgettable. With that story, I give you two salads for the end of summer that make use of the wonderful, pungent cheese. It's the perfect accouterments for the sweet September harvests that are coming in.  The first is a classic New American mix of old and new world ingredients. The second is a Mediterranean salad I first enjoyed at my grandparents favorite little cafe in Budapest. This one has a twist in presentation. The dishes are fast, beautiful and delicious. Serve them alone or on top of crusty bread as a delicious bruchetta.

Corn Salad

4 ears sweet corn, shucked and raw

1/2 lb fresh tomatoes
1 cup arugula
1/2 cup crumbled feta

Cut fresh corn kernels off of the cob and place in medium sized bowl. Slice tomatoes into bite sized chunks. Toss with corn and Feta. Add arugula and toss. Serve immediately. Should keep for 3 to three days.

Medeterrenian Salad

Watermelon
Honeydew
Cantaloupe
Red Onion
Basil
Feta
Olive Oil
Sea Salt

Slice red onion and soak in warm water. Slice melons and feta in wedges. Alternate mellons and red onions on a plate, allowing one wedge of feta per 3 pieces of melon. Chiffonade basil and sprinkle over salad. Drizzle with olive oil and finish with a pinch of sea salt.

What are your favorite end of summer treats?