Spice up your Life

 

I have recently become obsessed with spices.  Now that I am semi-retired, I am focusing on improving my culinary skills and taking my time in the kitchen.  Gone are the days I have to worry about rushing to get food on the table because my daughter needs to eat something between field hockey and orchestra practices.  My husband is now fully retired, and he is just happy when dinner is served.  With so many of my friends being such great cooks, I feel inspired to step up my game.  Mastering the art of spices feels like the perfect first step in my plan. Pam and Peg, you are my gurus.

I buy my spices from a variety of places.  Penzes is one of my favorites. Unfortunately, the pandemic led to many closures of their brick-and-mortar stores Charlotte location being one of them.  Thankfully their online store is an excellent substitute. McCormick spices are also a staple in my pantry and buying bulk spices from Cosco helps me to fill in gaps and provides the foundation for some of my creations.

As with everything else in the grocery store these days, spice prices are climbing rapidly.  With spices already marked up, I just wonder how much higher they will go. Despite the fact that there is an initial cost in building my spice collection, I see it as an investment and just as important the greater ability to craft my blends, my way, no fillers or unwanted ingredients. I also hope to avoid duplicates and prevent spices from becoming too old and stale in my pantry.  

Herbes de Provence is such a delightful mix, and I love adding it to my dishes. It brings a distinctive aroma and flavor. There are many variations of the mix which are readily available online. Some are made with Lavendar and fennel, while others do not.   I am not trying to reinvent the wheel, but I am currently working on recipe that contains Lavendar.

Lavendar is not readily available in the market, so I have decided to grow my own alongside several other spices.  I think using fresh herbs that I dry myself will add more flavor.

So far this is what I have:

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried marjoram

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp rosemary

1 tsp savory

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp of dried parsley

1 tsp Fennel

1 tsp of dried lavender flowers

If you make your own blend of Herbes de Provence, please feel free to share.

And before closing, I just read that McCormick's, is adding a new set of spices.  Maybe I will try one or two. They are:

• Smoky Garlic & Rose
• Balsamic & Herb
• Brown Butter
• Zesty Lemon
• Watermelon Lime

If you make your own herb mixes and would love to share them, please let me know.

T

good Read - the Grey Wolf

 

I like reading books written by authors outside of the United States. They allow me to experience the life and culture of another country, all from the comfort of my home.   Lousie Penny has written a series of books that I absolutely love.  My favorites take place in a little town just outside of Montreal called Three Pines. You likely won’t find it on a map—perhaps because it exists only in Louise Penny’s imagination. The characters of Three Pines are wonderfully unique and delightfully eccentric, making it such a joy to read about them. In fact, I feel as though I’ve come to know them personally. I love reading about each and every one of them. With each new book, I get to discover all the changes they have experienced since the last book.

Back in September 2016, Penny lost her husband. She entered a period of deep sadness where she seriously contemplated giving up writing.  Sadly, several of my friends have suffered the loss of their husband and soulmate.  Even though I have suffered the loss of good friends and family, I cannot begin to know what it feels like to lose your partner in life.  

During the pandemic, I suffered a loss and stopped writing my blog. It was just a small blog on books I had read.  I had a few dedicated followers, and I thank them.  I have started writing again and I find it very cathartic.  I still share books I have read because I am frequently asked to recommend a book, but my focus has changed a bit. I find writing and sharing to be very personally fulfilling. Find your way back.

Good News for Louise Penny fans like me. She has written her 20th novel due out in October 2025.  I can't wait. And one last thing, if you write, if you paint, if you knit, if you sew, if you have done anything that gives you pleasure and stopped, find your way back.

If you have never read a Louise Penny book or have only read her more current ones, consider going back to the beginning and read Still Life. This is the first of her Three Pines series, and you get a real sense of her characters.

If you are interested, you can find her current book on Amazon. The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

 

The Dinner List by Rebecca Searle

Imagine getting the chance to sit down and have dinner with five people. They could be living or have passed away—it doesn’t matter. You get to choose the guest list. That was the game Sabrina and her friend used to play, and then it happened. On her birthday, her chosen guests were all there. It was an intriguing mix of people, leading to lively discussions and, at times, a bit of tension.

Who would I choose if there were no constraints?

It’s a harder question than you might think. The choices would need to be made carefully. Would you pick people who are important to you and complement each other? Or would it matter less if they got along, as long as you could spend time with them? For me, it would be all about the time spent with those I cherish. I wouldn’t mind if they didn’t get along—though I know they would—because, after all, it’s about who I want at the table.

My mix would most likely include two family members, a politician, and one or two celebrities. First, my mom. She was my biggest cheerleader, always making me believe I could achieve anything. She passed away in August of 2016, and I’d give anything for one more dinner with her.

For a politician, I’d choose former President Obama. He’s intelligent, trustworthy and has a wicked sense of humor—qualities that are refreshing and sadly, rare in modern politics.

As for a celebrity, I would pick Taylor Swift. She has navigated life in the spotlight with remarkable resilience and self-awareness. Over the years, she has remained true to her values, standing up for herself when needed while maintaining a strong connection with her fans. Her ability to evolve as an artist while staying grounded is impressive. Many musical celebrities in her position have crashed and burned.   Her sense of humor and poise make her an excellent dinner guest—she’d bring great conversation, insight, and probably a few entertaining stories!

I’d would also invite my grandfather, who was the center of my world growing up. He passed away before I could truly get to know him as an adult, and talking with him would allow me to bridge the gap between childhood memories and the conversations I never got to have as an adult. ’d love the chance to reconnect. Choosing my grandfather over my grandmother was a very difficult decision. She was a second mother to me, and I loved her dearly, but I would really love to know my grandfather from an adult perspective.

To round out my five, I would pick Meryl Streep—though Tom Hanks is a close second.  She has an extraordinary ability to transform into a wide range of characters, from the formidable Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada to the deeply emotional Sophie in Sophie’s Choice. Her versatility is unmatched, and she brings such depth to every role she plays. And let's just face it she is Meryl Streep and meeting her would be a dream come true!

So those are my five at this point in my life.  Ask me in another few years and maybe the Dinner List would change.

Who would you choose for your dinner? Let me know—and don’t forget to read the book and share your thoughts!

The Loyalist

 It was my friend Diane's Birthday last week and we wanted to celebrate by going out for lunch.  The question was where.  She has lived in this area for a long time, I have not, therefore, it was only sensible for her to pick out the restaurant.  Besides which it was her birthday. 

She chose The Loyalist Market a small specialty cheese and charcuterie restaurant. They also happen to make great sandwiches that pair well with the wines they sell.  It is small with limited seating but hey, we are semi-retired and can go on an off day during the week.  Even so the restaurant was fairly crowded.  Ordinarily there is additional seating in the courtyard, but it was overcast and a little chilly.  We decided to eat indoors and order a bottle of wine to keep us warm.

I am decent at picking wine, but our friend Kathi is our resident expert, and she chose the wine, Saldo. Saldo is produced by the Prisoner Wine Company in California.  They started off making Prisoner, a red blend and then branched off.  This Zin was really smooth with notes of black licorice, black pepper, cherry and baking spice and a hint of chocolate.  The wine bottle was interesting.  In today's very crowded wine market, many wineries tend to go all out on their wine label design to grab the consumer's attention.  Not this wine.  It simple states its name.  No label, none needed. Just delicious.

It was a great choice and paired well with all our sandwiches. Kathi and I chose this grilled cheese sandwich that was truly magical. The Grilled cheese was prepared with a mix of Ashe County cheddar and gouda topped off with a berry bacon jam on brioche bread. Our birthday girl had a corned beef Rueben, and our friend Claudia rounded off the table with a freshly prepared cream of broccoli and cheese soup with a salad.

It was a foodie delight. If you are in or around Matthews, NC, give it a try.  It is located at 435 N Trade Street

Cookery -- Chop and Pull A great gift

 

One year into semi-retirement I noticed I couldn't see out of one eye. I felt a pang of concern—especially since reading is my passion. Instead of panicking, I visited the ophthalmologist.  My right eye, bless its heart was still pretty good and for the time being was excused from surgery.  My left eye, however, was pretty much visionless. I needed surgery. 

One of the many things that worried me about eye surgery was that the surgeon would be right up into my face.  She reassured me that twilight sedation would be used—a mild sedation technique where the patient remains awake and responsive but comfortable.  What that meant to me was I could hear the surgical team discussing their holiday plans, but I couldn't move.  I have to admit it was a little freaky.  It gave me a whole new understanding of those moments in books where a character, after a traumatic event, finds themselves hovering above their body in a hospital emergency room, watching everything unfold.  The surgery was right before Christmas, and they were all discussing their holiday plans which I found a little surreal since surgery is a pretty serious business. 

No worries I had surgery and as the French would say Voule le I can once again see out of both eyes. The surgery was a success, though I found myself adding my eye to the ever-growing list of body parts that have either been replaced or removed. 

Post surgery my eyes have become much more sensitive. So much so that chopping onions has literally turned into a painful challenge.  Ingredients such as garlic and onions which are extremely odoriferous, are in so many recipes.  They add so much flavor but cause so much pain when cutting and mincing them.  I am glad I have my chop and pull. I just pull several times, and I have chopped garlic and onions.  The more you pull the finer vegetable becomes.  I would not be able to cook without it.

When my daughter moved into her own apartment, I gave one to her as a housewarming gift and while it is not a sexy kitchen utensil, it is one that I use more than any other in my kitchen.  

If you have the same problem as I do with onion and garlic, here is the link on amazon for the chop and pull Chop and Pull. I do make a small commission if purchased through my link.

Cookery--Zucchini Blueberry bread

This morning, I woke up early and couldn't fall back asleep. So, I decided to try a recipe I'd found for Zucchini Blueberry bread. As someone who's semi-retired, I’ve taken to occasionally hosting coffee gatherings—it’s such a refreshing change from the usual wine meetups, and I truly enjoy the chance to socialize.

The blueberries I used were plump and sweet—ideal for snacking on or incorporating into baked goods. And the recipe didn’t disappoint! The bread turned out moist and full of flavor, which is why I felt compelled to serve it at my coffee meet up and share it with you. While Zucchini Chocolate Chip bread is undeniably popular (and I do enjoy it), I think substituting blueberries for chocolate chips gives this bread an edge. Of course, that's just my personal take. What do you think?

Zucchini Blueberry Bread

3 lightly beaten eggs

1 cup of vegetable oil

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 1/4 c of sugar

2 cups shredded zucchini

3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

1 pint of blueberries

Lightly beat eggs and mix all ingredients together, Folding in the blueberries last.  The batter is very thick.  Pour into two loaf pans and bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Reading Al fresco-- Killers of a Certain Age

 

My Maryland book club is well aware of my penchant for picking up books based on their title. True to myself, I chose this book because of the title.  More than that, it caught my attention because of how people often use the phrase "being of a certain age" It usually is a polite way of referring to an older individual.  It is their way of being politically correct.  Honestly, the book could have easily been called Killers Put Out to Pasture.  Maybe someday I will write a book with that title though on second thought I think not.  I have been working on my great novel for the past six years, and that doesn't even qualify as a working title! Anyway, the book grabbed my attention right away.

The story revolves around four women of a certain age, who are being gently retired from their agency, ominously named "the Museum." As part of their farewell, they are gifted an all-expenses-paid cruise, where the agency hopes they will, quite literally, sail off into the sunset. Based on the title, it’s clear these women are paid assassins. When an unexpected incident occurs, one of them finds her instincts kicking in—her Spidey senses tell her something is just not right. It soon becomes evident that they’ve been marked as targets.

They take matters in their own hands by dealing with the "hit people" out to get them. After all, if some of the best assassins in the business can't get to the bottom of this, who can?

This is a perfect summer read, and it is not a rom com. 

Here is the link on Amazon.  Killers of a certain age

Spirits in the Sky

Beginnings of our weekend wine tasting

I enjoy my cocktails, just like many others. When I lived in Maryland, Total Wine and Liquors was one of my favorite places to spend an hour or two, stocking up. After moving to North Carolina, I discovered that the process is quite different. Here, I have to purchase wine at one store and spirits at the ABC store. Buying wine is straightforward, with plenty of great options available at various locations. Spirits, however, are a bit more challenging. While ABC stores carry essential liquors like vodka, tequila, and gin, they often lack a good selection of mixers such as apple sour pucker or Ke Ke lime.

On my way back from the cabin recently, I made several stops to track down those hard-to-find items. Now that my pantry is well-stocked, I  am ready to enjoy my cocktails all summer long. I can't wait to enjoy margaritas at the pool again with my rummikub buddies.

In a recent post I spoke about spending time with my friends in a cabin in West Virginia.  These Girl's Weekends are all about essential, Great friendship, a little hiking, great food and great drinking. Sure, we do a little crafting but not as much as other activities.

Since I shared a little about our friendship, today's post is on wine and spirits. The cabin we hang out in, is nestled high in the West Virginia mountains.  At night, the stars are so bright they light up the sky. There’s nothing quite like sitting on the deck on a clear evening, taking a deep breath, and soaking it all in. It’s the perfect way to decompress and recharge after arriving with an empty tank. Often, we’ll sip our final cocktail of the night outside, enjoying the stillness.   

My friends are the true mixologists of the group, so I happily leave the drink-making to them. Sadly, our main martini mixologist, Marge, couldn’t join us this time. Even so, she was there in spirit—pun intended—and a few others stepped in to fill her shoes.

Diane, our resident baker game up with this Lemon Blueberry Martini that would knock your socks off.  She and her daughter worked hard to find the perfect recipe.  They developed it through trial and error tasting a lot before they go it right, but Diane said it was a sacrifice worth taking.   Here is the recipe.

·        Muddle fresh blueberries

·        One part blueberry vodka

·        One part lemoncello

·        One part lemonade low sugar or full strength

·        3/4-part triple sec and a good squeeze from a lemon

·        Line the glass with juice and turbinado sugar

There one more drink more martini recipes I would like to share with you

KeKe Lime Pie Martini (I must warn you that KeKe lime liqueur is very hard to find)

1.5 parts Keke Lime liqueur

     1 part vanilla vodka

     Juice of one lime

     Rim glass with graham cracker crumbs

    Top off with whipped cream

    Garnish with lime 

The more whipped cream the better because this sure does taste like key lime pie.

Mahjong Update

 I had meant for today's post to be Cabin Cookery, but I could not contain my excitement and had to share it with you. If you are a mahjong player, you know that it is time to use a new card.  New Mahjong cards arrive in the mail the last few days of March or the first few days of April.  Mine arrived on April 1st.  

I have mixed feelings about getting a new card.  On the one hand, I know the old one pretty well.  On the other hand, I have been playing with it for a full year and some of the thrill of the card is gone.  As much as the thrill of the old is gone, it was a good card, only the second one I have used since I started to play, and I will miss it.

Now that I have semi-retired, I play mahjong two to three times a week.  Please do not judge me, it helps keep my brain active.  When you are semi-retired you have to worry about these things.  

Tomorrow, I have a mahjong game scheduled.  We will be using the new card.  May the force be with me.  Hopefully I will win a game or two. I will keep you posted on how the game goes and how easy the card is to use.

Would Like to Meet

An editor is tasked with getting her uncooperative client to finish his screenplay—a romantic comedy, no less. The problem? He doesn’t want to write it. To spark his creativity, they strike an unusual deal: she will go on dates and document her experiences to inspire him. For him, the highlight is the "meet cute."

I believe everyone deserves at least one "meet cute" in their lifetime. I hadn’t even heard of the term until I watched The Holiday, starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. If you haven’t seen this gem, add it to your list—it’s even better than a Hallmark holiday movie (yes, I said it!).

So, what exactly is a meet cute? According to Wikipedia, it’s a moment in TV or film where two characters, destined for romance, meet in a humorous or endearing way.

In The Holiday, Kate Winslet's character, Iris, experiences heartbreak when her boyfriend announces his engagement at their work Christmas party. Seeking a fresh start, she swaps homes and befriends Arthur, a retired screenwriter. He introduces her to the concept of a meet cute with a charming example: a man and woman, strangers to each other, simultaneously visit the pajama section of a store. The man tells the salesperson, “I just need the bottoms.” The woman adds, “I just need the top.” Their eyes meet, and just like that, sparks fly.

As it happens, I’ve had my own meet cute. It was Thanksgiving weekend, and I was returning home by train, reading The New York Times. A man sat beside me and asked, “Do you mind if I look at the sports section?” I handed it over, replying, “Sure, it’s the only section I don’t read.” He smiled, “It’s my favorite section.” That simple exchange marked the start of our story—and years later, we’re married. These days, I even skim the sports section, just to stay in the loop!

Meet cutes can be such fun and unique moments of connection, and life could always use a little more fun and romance. If you like Rom Coms pick up Would Like to Meet,