The Monday Memo #7

Well, last week sure was a busy one around here.  It involved more plaster dust than a working pottery has clay, fumes so noxious that the “kids” all wanted to leave home, a perfect new creative space at Marmalade HQ, a visit from Bailor, a periwinkle blue leather couch, a highly frustrating number of chocolate cooking fails, and Thanksgiving.  Ah, Thanksgiving.  My Thanksgiving was completely *inSANE.  It included a large loaf of crusty French bread, a jar of cranberry sauce, a fair amount of butter and 1½ lbs of roast turkey.  Let whoever has eaten a perfectly *SANE diet since they started this whole SSoS thing cast the first stone!  Not even our beloved Jonathan could claim that.

Those sandwiches were awesome.  And then Friday, well, that wasn’t so awesome.  I was as lethargic as a drunken slug, had the headache from hell, and felt altogether blah.  I blame the bread entirely.  Happy taste buds, sad belly.  And never have I been so thoroughly excited to drink a smoothie that had 6 cups of raw spinach in it.

Here’s where my head was on Thanksgiving morning, before the *inSANEity began:

I am especially thankful for the husbands I’ve been able to borrow when girl power just wasn’t quite the ticket: Charlie Owen, Jonathan Bailor, Shaun Meehan, Duane Walter, Duane Blanchard, Jeff James, Stu Fusman, Jason Anderson, Larry Shaw, Justin Schoen.  THANK YOU!

And for glorious girlfriends who’ve helped make my 2012 so much better: Lorrie Walter, Marjorie Ferris, Joan Yarkosky, Michaela Van Putten, Michelle Fusman, Jennifer Meehan, Penny Jones, Minta Hale, Susan Shaw, Becky Schoen, Cindy Kelly…and so many other fabulous friends who do all sorts of little things on a daily basis to help and to nurture. Even when I am a total PITA. THANK YOU!

And I wouldn’t be here without the straight-talking I get from Marc Levine, Charlie Owen, Jeff James, Geoff Nyheim, and Reid Downey. THANK YOU!

My life is completely transformed from the life I had 3.5 years ago. I do not have words to express the gratitude in my heart for the 4 people who told me I could do it, empowered me, and who now support me so completely on my journey: Marc Levine, Geoff Nyheim, Charlie Owen and Jonathan Bailor. It is absolutely true when I say I would not be where or who I am today without you in my world. Your influence in my life is profound.

Here’s stuff I made and ate and wrote about last week, in case you missed them in all the excitement that was Thanksgiving – if you’re in America, that is. 

 Caramel Orange Spice Cashews – because nuts are awesome and these are even more awesome.

 Brussel Sprouts with Leek and Poppy Seeds – you too can love sprouts!

 Beet and Tarragon Soup – BEST. THING. I. EVER. MADE.

Events over at Marmalade HQ included the finishing of the new creative space as the walls were painted the color of butter, the trim was fitted, and all the lights and sockets were hooked up.  I am absolutely loving it.  Now I can create, cook, shoot and write all in one contiguous space.  IT. IS. AWESOME.  It helps that I had a fabulous contractor who finished on time, on budget and did fantastic work.  Not to mention that he moved furniture, hung blinds and secured my pull-up bar for me.  Just because.

In other news, it was pretty darn handy having Jonathan in the house when Charlie showed up with the new periwinkle blue leather couch in the back of his truck – I immediately put those bulging Bailor muscles to good use.  I realized I have a lot of amazing people in my life, as well as a ridiculous number of vases.  I went to IKEA for a rug and came home with white porcelain dishes; because you can never have too many of those, and I discovered that Turkey Day Eve is the very best time of the year to go to IKEA.  No one else was there.  It was just me, a bunch of room sets and more allen keys (wrenches) than you could count in a lifetime.  Plus, girlfriends came to clean after the building work was done, because it’s amazing the places that plaster dust gets into.  I also finally came to accept that making a mess in the kitchen and creating dirty dishes have become core competencies of mine.

On the food front there were an awful lot of tomatoes, tarragon, and probably not surprisingly, turkey.  There was also an unbelievable amount of chocolate, but nothing worthwhile to show for it.  That 100% cocoa chocolate can be right tricky you know.  However, do not despair!  I will make you *SANE chocolate stuff if it’s the last thing I do.

From around the web I got some first rate loving from the lovely Fi Mackenzie over at HIFIFI’s Transformation.  Meanwhile, this made me laugh out loud for a really long time, although I think perhaps a British sense of humor may be a pre-requisite.  If you remember Mr. Blobby from years gone by that’ll also be a plus.  This also made me smile an awful lot.  I’d like to see someone try that with Ms. Daisy.  That has the potential to be even funnier.

And last but not in the slightest bit least – on the other side of the pond – Charlie my nephew turned 4.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Charlie!!

The Bailinator and I podcasted, with Elmo.  We do like to keep things interesting for you.

EPISODE 22: SANE Eating Practically — Practical Tips to Easily Eat SANEly

You can listen to all the podcast episodes right here, or if you have an iTunes account you can head here.

All iTunes, Facebook and Amazon love is very gratefully received!

COMING ATTRACTIONS!!!

Stuff I made and ate and will write about in the coming couple weeks. You mentioned that you like a preview to the movie. I aim to please.

Broccoli and Red Pepper Quiche Cups

Creamy Peanut Butter Mousse

Orange Cranberry Scones

Lasagna

Smoked Salmon Baked Eggs

Leek and Pear Soup

Turkey Tarragon Baked Eggs

Cheesy Pea Shoot Scramble

Seriously Green Soup

Green Smoothie – Raspberry Almond

Oeufs Plats (Grilled Eggs and Ham)

Tomato Salad Soup