Mirror, Mirror




  I've lost...well, my youth. Not that I am just noticing; this has been going on for quite a while. However, I am often surprised when I look in the mirror and see this person that I have become. The hair is gray. Wrinkles have deepened and multiplied. Glasses are essential. On and on. There is an unconscious part of me that still expects to see my thirtyish self in that truth-telling reflection, but the fact is that I am changing day by day into this new me. It's not bad; it just gives me a weird feeling in my gut that can almost take my breath away.

That's the outside...what everyone else can see and that I notice in others of my age group, but there is no mirror to my inside. Changes are ripening there as well. I've moved to a new-found appreciation of life and developed a mellowness that is expanding internally as the gray hairs multiply on my head. There is a richness and contentment to my life now that I was too busy to develop when I was fretting about my responsibilities and hectic schedule.

Now. It's a good place. But I don't look in the mirror as much as I once did.

Major Yum

A big thank you to Tess at Willow Manor for this absolutely marvelous recipe. Not only is it quick and easy, it is extremely tasty as well.

Cut two sheets of thawed frozen puff pastry (1-17 oz. pkg) to form 4 rectangles. Top half of each with 1  1/2 cup chicken, 1/2 cup frozen peas, and 1  1/2 cup gruyere. Seal the pastries and brush the tops with a beaten egg.  Bake at 400 degrees until golden, about 20 minutes. Serve with Dijon mustard.

Serves 4...or 2, if you have my appetite.

I love that it looks so complicated; the secret to that, of course, is the prepared puff pastry. I ate all four all by my lonesome*, but next time I will prepare these little cuties for guests.

*two sittings. I wasn't a total pig.

Speaking Volumes

Theme Thursdays - Books

Books

My late night companions

Propelling me on many a journey

Into worlds so far away

With adventures
Beyond my mundane realm.

These dear and dependable friends

Experts at the art of escape

Work their magic

To enrich the daily patterns

Of a comfortable and tidy life.

janice 2011

written for Theme Thursday

Check out Theme Thursday here.

Eat Your Heart Out, Martha Stewart!

All it took was a short jaunt to Guerneville. At the end of the path were good friends, a cozy fire, a vodka martini with extra olives, and a fabulous dinner of the most tantalizing comfort food.

The table looked magazine-worthy with sunny daffodils at its center, reminding us that spring is soon to arrive to chase the cold away. Wonderful.

Green, Green

Still attempting to make the holiday weight gain ride into the sunset, I am going greener in the kitchen. I miss the pasta. I miss the rice. I miss the bread. But it is time to get serious since March is approaching.

A little olive oil with a tad of salt and pepper makes  these healthy green treats, after baking,  quite a delectable side dish. Adding a conservative serving of panko coated boneless chicken as the main course makes for a yummy and modestly caloric dinner.

It's working... though it always amazes me how quickly a few pounds go on and how slooooowly they come off.

Wordless Wednesday: Pretty in Pink

A Pizza Moment

I seem to be unable to write about anything but food lately. So be it. Eating well is one of my great loves after all. Apparently I have passed this passion onto my daughter, who has turned into a very accomplished cook. As she made pizza dough from scratch, I watched with great interest while she created a culinary masterpiece.

It was so fabulous! And I had seconds.