Fall Favorites

"Fall" is slowly creeping in around us. Honestly, I'm not totally sure what the weather has been like. I've been seriously under the weather for a few days now which has equaled almost no time outside. It's actually pretty much equaled me cuddling with Bailey on the couch. It's not so bad I guess.

In any case, here are a few things I've seen around and kind of fallen in love with:

This recipe for Brown Sugar Rosemary Walnuts. I'll be making these to take with me on a few flights next week.

Pumpkin waffles from Smitten Kitchen. We got a waffle iron as a wedding gift and thought we'd never use it. We were so wrong! A sometimes bakes a big batch and freezes them so I can warm them up during the week for breakfast.

These Honey Tobacco Tea Lights. I'm not sure why, but I feel like these will smell perfectly comforting. I love the smell of pipe tobacco, but am highly allergic to smoke. These seem like a nice solution.

The Self Evident Truths Project. A photographer is trying to catalog as many people who identify in any way other than 100% straight in order to capture the incredible diversity within the LGBTQ community in the US. I love the openness and inclusiveness of this project, and can't wait to see more of what's produced.

Make your own Pumpkin Spice Latte. I love these seasonal treats from Starbucks, but now I'm free to delight in it whenever I want! So come May, I'll still be drinking pumpkin coffee, thanks very much.

When the Emperor was Divine by Julie Otsuka. I'm about halfway through this book, and it's incredible. You've probably heard of it from other people, and pretty much all the great things they say are probably true.

Adorable stationary. I can't decide if I want to order these or attempt to make a similar thing with my sewing machine's embroidery settings.

Clare Vivier Foldover Clutch. I'm partial to the Navy and the Poppy. In person they are so soft and perfectly made.

Weekend in Review

Weekend notes: Friday was A's birthday, and after spending most of the day running errands we were able to slip away for a little time together and some delightful burritos and margaritas. Saturday was time for errand running, a reunion with old religious studies friends (no pictures, unfortunately I forgot the camera), and a new addition to our little family (of the non-child variety). Sunday was a bit of cleaning, shopping and cooking in prep for the coming week. Photos? Why, yes!

Ikea fabrics ready for new projects*

Let the sunshine in

Nature drive**

Goodbye herb garden***

Sunday is Wii time in this household

June and Bailey, romping

*Fabrics--they'll have to wait awhile, I think. I have a ton of ideas for these fabrics, but I feel bad making anything new when we'll be packing it up eventually.

**Whenever my errands take me in the general direction of the Natchez Trace, I try to hop on for at least a little bit to get some fresh air and a little greenery in my life.

***No windowsill herb garden in the fall/winter. I know, we could.

Kick off Wednesday with some happy tears

Don't Ask Don't Tell was offically repealed yesterday, and if you caught the coverage you have probably already seen this video. If not, check out a gay man in the military who comes out to his father while recording the call. "I still love you son, and I will always love you and I will always be proud of you." High fives all around, everyone, high fives for all of us.

*You might need to pump up the volume to hear his father's response.*

Black Bean Hummus

When I lived in Columbia, South Carolina a favorite restaurant served black bean hummus that was to die for (Hunter-Gatherer, for those familiar with the city). It seems pretty simple, but something about the spicy-hearty dip was perfect. I was also lucky enough to work in an office where the administrative assistant didn't mind sharing all his recipes with us. One such recipe was his black bean hummus (equally to die for). I've adapted it a little for texture preferences and spiciness, but for the most part this recipe still belongs to Ben.

Hummus with carrots and lavash bread

Black Bean Hummus
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
2 tablespoons tahini
2 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon cayenne chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
Water to desired texture

Add everything to a blender, starting with just a tablespoon of water. Slowly blend and add water until the mixture gets to your desired consistency (I like it like smooth peanut butter). I top it with olive oil and some more chili powder, the original recipe calls for Old Bay seasoning which is also fantastic. I like to serve it with raw veggies and lavash or pita bread. It's also good inside a wrap with spinach, tomato and sprouts.

 A note on tahini: I'm not sure it matters to many people, but some brands of tahini have a charred taste to me. I like Tree of Life Tahini, which is pictured to the right here. Pricewise it's comparable to most tahinis, but it doesn't taste burnt at all. Just smoky.

Weekend in Review/Random photos

This weekend was rainy, lazy and filled with plenty of chit chat and laughing. Usually Labor Day weekend is busy and sort of hectic but we managed to keep it almost completely unplanned which meant we found ourselves doing a good bit of random stuff.

Also, saw The Debt. I really liked it, but I could see how others might think it was slow. Jessica Chastain and Sam Worthington were both really amazing, and of course Helen Mirren was fantastic.

Very few photos were taken, and of the ones that were most of them feature people's faces other than mine. Since I'm not sure they want to be splattered on the internet drinking wine and laughing, I'll just show you a photo of inanimate objects. Privacy first, people.

A's artsy photo? Rain, leaf.

 Now, a note on being a great houseguest! I love having anyone stay with us, but when one 1/2 of the couple staying comes bearing a gift box of used copies of my favorite books (which I'd lost roughly a year ago), favorite candy (licorice allsorts), blush, and tinted lip balm I fall at their feet. Mostly because damn, that blush is nice and I didn't know you could just get it online.*

Also, I made the Butter Kuchen Coffee Cake from the Tassajara Bread Book this weekend. So good, so easy to mix up. It's twice as good this morning as it was when I made it. This photo is from 6:00 am this morning, on our tiny patio. The weather is perfect outside, due to the passing tropical storm from this weekend. We're hoping it holds out at least a week.

 *Note: I truly do love having people stay with us. Gifts not needed. I'd given Alice a few fun things recently and she felt the urge to return the favor. Also, really, how good is Wise Blood? Everyone agree? Awesome. Love in the Time of Cholera is my second favorite Marquez, but it seems to be everyone else's #1? One Hundred Years of Solitude is my true favorite, but I've never lost either of my copies. One of them is in Spanish. I can't read Spanish.

You Are Here

Photo by A, from The Getty

Trying to spend some of the weekend doing a few fun things in Jackson since we won't be leaving for any exciting places this Labor Day weekend.

I'll spare you all the discussion of hectic weeks and needing to be centered. My guess is: you're all probably a little too familiar with those themes as we move into the long weekend. So let's all commiserate, and agree to not drink any Bud Light Lime this holiday weekend. Mandrew: I'm looking right at you.

With our powers combined....

I recently took part in an e-conference on how to be green while putting on benefit and fundraising events. It was really enriching and I feel like I learned an awful lot. It also led me to this little nugget of hilarity:

"Don't summon me again unless you want that pain."