Lately: Full of Song

I've just realized in the last couple months how much I love sing-songy hip hop.

On any given day in the last month or two, the chances I have listened to at least one of these songs is probably close to 100%.

Steven is probably falling out of his chair about now.






And this one isn't new to my playlist, but has been on heavy rotation for almost a year.  It could have been the (slow) start of it all.

Music: Saturday Songs

It's a rainy, chilly day in Seattle and I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.  It's the perfect time to use my homemade stock for veggie stew, cuddling with Phoebe by the fire, reading the books I so desperately want but cannot seem to pick up during the week, and listening to music.

Here are a few songs on repeat today:







Oh and here's a fire in case you don't have one (or can't be bothered). I picked a subtle one that isn't HD or using professional sound equipment because this is closer to what my fireplace really sounds like:



Enjoy!

Music: Saturday Songs

Sad songs are kind of my thing (although Sarah circa 2000 - 2008 definitely has me beat).  Of all the music that I really love, I'd say at least 70% is kind of (or a lot) heartbreaking in one way or another.  It's the same with my taste in books - it isn't good unless I feel something grave.  I used to complain about it in high school - we only ever read books about misery and heartbreak and catastrophe.  I thought it was so depressing/perplexing and I couldn't understand why learning them was so important.

But as I've gone through life (or life has gone through me), my appreciation for the bluer side has changed drastically.  Life is hard and full of obstacles and no one gets through it unscathed - but that's part of the allure.  After 15 years of making "grown up" decisions and living the consequences, I've come to believe that hardship (however big or small) and the choices we make in the face and wake of it, are what shape a person's character.  And to me, that's a really inspiring and beautiful concept.  The hardest and most harrowing experiences of our lives are the ones that give us the greatest opportunity to be the kind of people we want to be.

And long story short - somewhere in all the hurt of a sad song I find hope.  A little crazy, eh?

Whatevs, even if it doesn't make perfect sense, I still dig 'em.  And these are the ones on repeat today.

Making Pies by Patty Griffin



If it's the Beaches by the Avett Brothers



Widower's Heart by Trampled by Turtles



Oh, and I also love bluegrass.  But that's a different thing altogether.

I'm eating cooking videos for dinner

It's dinnertime on Sunday and I'm hungry.  But instead of procuring food, I'm blogging.  I started out reading cooking articles and videos online for some dinner inspiration, and somehow ended up just watching without cooking.  Eh.

Lately, I've been living off ready to eat meals and deli counter food, which is so unlike me.  But with everything in flux and how completely exhausting it is to be back in the office (how did I ever do this?), cooking has taken a backseat.  Even when I've had time and the groceries, I just haven't had the energy or desire.  After a month passed with no change in feelings, I started to wonder if I was ever going to want to cook again.  Was I turning a new page in my life...perhaps a kitchen-less one?

But today, I woke up feeling like my old self again and spent most of the day cooking and immersing myself in Mimi Thorisson's French Country Cooking (thanks Shawn and Kt!)  And I've gotta say, it was a pretty fantastic day.  Amongst other things, I made a crustless quiche to eat for lunch this week and a big ol' pot of homemade Arrabiata.

Photo from Mimi Thorisson's website

But dinner, not so much.  I tried to be adventurous, and combined my homemade Arrabiata with these tofu shirataki noodles that I picked up the other day. It wasn't good, not even a little (I blame the tofoodles).  It wasn't bad per se, but the texture just didn't do it for me.  The fact that the tofoodles kept perspiring probably didn't help either.  In the end, I ate about 5 bites before putting it down to look at yummier food on the internet instead.  It's probably going to be a while before I try that again, but I'm sure next time I'll do a little more research beforehand.

But while browsing yummier food online, I got stuck in a carb loop. And of course, I'm sharing:







And this scrumptious concoction is my favorite for the night.  It has so many ingredients I love - morels, asparagus, cheese, gnocchi, and butter!


Of course, I probably won't be making any of these dishes tonight.  Especially since I've now spent 90 minutes watching videos and blogging.  Hard boiled eggs for dinner?


Note: When I first started making Arrabiata, I followed this recipe.  Over time, my sauce has morphed into entirely my own thing, but this was where I started.  Now I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned, drastically reduced the onions because Steve isn't very fond of them, use only a little garlic because I want the tomatoes to be the star, fancy up the salt, and I prefer the flavor (i.e. swift kick in the gut) of fresh little Thai peppers over traditional red pepper flakes.

Today: Drape Me in Blue

Today, John Moreland is filling up my melancholy heart.  These songs, this voice, and this heaviness talk directly to me.  I feel sad and full at the same time.

Cooking: Lemon Meringue Pie with Matty Matheson

I was perusing the internet for lasagna recipes this afternoon (remember how I explained my internet usage) and I stumbled across this article about Matty Matheson.  I was instantly enthralled and spent the next 90 minutes reading more articles/interviews and watching 5 of his cooking videos.  I only stopped because:
1) Phoebe was whining nonstop for something,
2) I realized these videos had nothing to do with lasagna, and
3) my scheduled phone call with a friend was in 3 minutes (the real reason I stopped).

I think some of you might enjoy him too.  So here he is - in all his quirky, tattooed glory - making lemon meringue pie.

Anniversary #2

Yesterday was our second wedding anniversary.  It's crazy to think we've only been married for 2 years.  It seems like such a short time for all the love and life we've lived together.  Although to be fair, we've had the feels for 17 years.  Yep, seventeen years.

And just because I'm feeling gushy, here's a recap (of yesterday, not the last 17 years):

First, we were grown-ups and worked (he more than me):

And when he came home, Sven surprised me with these gorgeous flowers from Mamoso:

And then he looped this video and audio track that I requested on the blog the other day:



Then we went out for French food (our favorite) at St. Tropez:

Where we made googly-eyes and kept the PDA to a minimum:

Then it was back home for a movie and some snuggles with Phoebe:

How I felt every time I looked them:

Even when Sven picked Super Troopers and Scream for movie choices:

Because movie preferences aside, we're really lucky to have each other:

Me Lately

You guyyyyys, one of my favorite blogs Ponytail Journal posted this video and I can't get enough.  I find it super soothing and I think I've watched it at least 10 times today.  It's a clip from Fish Thinkers and their collaboration with the NSW Department of Primary Industries in Australia.  I only wish it was longer.  

Galapagos Whalers from Lauren Yates on Vimeo.

Now, if you really want the "Heather experience" click this song first and then stare at (and restart) the the Fish Thinkers video for the whole 7 minutes.  




Aaaaand that is exactly what it feels like to be me today.  Anyone feel like creating a 7 minute loop for me?  :)