Mea Culpa

Over the past few weeks, I've become terribly overwhelmed by everything in particular. It's been one of those little periods in life where I have so many good, productive things to do that I've concluded the best course of action is to hide under my desk and avoid them all (please see attached image). That's not really an excuse for rampant unproductivity and shirking any and all responsibility, but it is sort of an explanation. I'm sorry in general. No. Mostly, I'm sorry Charity. You are indefatigable. your efforts to motivate me have been thoughtful, varied, and occasionally threatening. I really do appreciate them, even if I haven't made that apparent. You deserve an award. Maybe something bronzed -- like a quill pen or a pair of children's booties. I was going to send this note to you alone, and then I realized you'd be happier if I just wrote a blog post. But I still wanted to apologize (and had already mostly written this), so I just decided to combine them.

I'll do better.

I promise.

Smack me next time I get like this.

Ok?

Ok.

What to Give for #GivingTuesday

Here are a few ideas:

International Committee of the Red Cross. They help people all over the world. Maybe you want to direct your funds to relief in the Philippines. If you want something closer to home, the American Red Cross is doing a lot for folks who were victims on last month's tornadoes.

If you want a group that runs a tight ship, try Airline Ambassadors. It was started by my friend Nancy Rivard, a gorgeous, brilliant flight attendant who wanted to give back as she traveled around the world.  They transport goods and people through donated buddy passes to places in need. THey also are at the forefront of the movement to stop human trafficking. They collaborate with everyone from LDS Charities to CGI.

Which bring me to LDS Charities. Minimal overhead. They use volunteers in the area to distribute goods and are focused on helping people achieve self sufficiency by teach subsistence farming and literacy in Africa, Asia, South and Central America.

Catholic Relief Services is one of the oldest and most integrated relief agencies in the world. I know a number of people who have worked with them over the years and they're top flight folks. They are literally everywhere and they work with the least among us, day in and out.

There are SO many worthy organizations, I could literally go on all week about them. But if you're our of cash and want to do something good, sign up to be an organ donor. Donate Life will show you what you need to do. You don't give anything til you literally have nothing left to give and when your life is over, you can save up to nine lives, you can give sight and help many more with tissue donation. 

A Celebration Past

This was a holiday email I penned during Hanukkah December 2007. A lot has changed since then, but the wishes remain the same.

Last week I was feeling like a particularly bad Jew.  Considering my particular brand of Mojewism or Jewmonism, this shouldn't be a big surprise to me.  Nonetheless, it was the third night of Hanukkah and I hadn't lit candles, played dradle or made anything fried.   Now I was willing to forgo the second and third demands of Hanukkah celebration (though I do love latkes), but I needed to do the candle thing.  Hanukkah is specifically a temple holiday and a remembrance of the victory of the Maccabees.  While the most significant Jewish Holidays come in the autumn followed by Passover, to me Hanukkah is about the miracle of God's abundance, which is a rather lovely thing to celebrate.   I walked down to the Christmas market on Vorosmarty ter (a wonderful sensory adventure. The lights, the trees, the foods which are all very unhealthy and delicious, the garlands, the people in traditional dress, it couldn't be much lovelier) where I found a menorah (a bit ironic, I know) being sold by a very pleasant Hungarian Italian Jewish Catholic (Half Jewish, half Catholic, doesn't practice anything but celebrates all of the holidays).   I bought the menorah, went on to my Italian coaching and returned to my little flat to pack up for Italia, where I was going the following morning.  I said the prayer, lit candles, and thought about the different miracles in my life where I have received so much more than I could have ever expected . 

Thank you for giving me more than I ever expected – more kindness, friendship, generosity, love or wisdom.  Have a wonderful, joyous holiday season filled with abundance and peace.

With Love from Budapest,

BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!

Meet Levi. Levi is our brother. Levi is an academic/explorere/writer of books/inventor type doing all sorts of uber cool things. But when you boil it down, he likes simple things: His family (most days), his nieces and nephews (all days), engines, electricity, marshmallow wars...

Well Today is Levi's birthday. Here is my birthday equation for happiness. .

Morotcycle

+

 PVC blow gun

+

Marshmallows

+

Phinn in angry bear sweater and birthday glasses

+

Sweet Lobby

We wish you a life full of happiness, wonder, love and success!

The reports are true...

I'm a tree hugger.

Also... as leaves fall from the trees and as Thanksgiving final decisions are being made, eat this.

The best Apple Pancake maybe ever.

This superfood salad and this superfood sweet

Pumpkin chip cookies

Maybe my favorite thing on this list, Pumpkin Fondue

Recipes for left over pumpkin fondue (they're almost as good)

Farm Vegetable Tian

Hungarian sweets

And last but CERTAINLY not least, dinner in a pumpkin.

The Most Unusual Pie at Thanksgiving

This past week, a dear friend was helping me all day. We were doing a photo shoot for an upcoming project (more on that soon). She has one of the most exquisite aesthetics I've ever seen and I can't wait to share the pictures with you. We went to get a bite afterward and one of her pumpkins (who is -- coincidentally -- Hetti's best friends) rode in the back of my car. When it was time to trade passengers, I couldn't find part of her booster seat. The next morning while cleaning out my car, I found the strap a midst the layers of a crinoline slip. I asked to drop it off, which brought a dinner invitation. I felt rather sheepish accepting since I really should have been the one to extend the invitation. But if I was going to go, I knew I needed to bring something delicious. This was the result.

A great alternative to quiche or stuffing, this works as a meal or a side and is great for your vegetarian or gluten free Thanksgiving guests. The cream and cheese can be omitted for unsweetened almond milk and apple juice for vegans. You can also substitute yogurt for cream. It will give your pie an extra tang.

Cheddar, Apple and Semolina Pie

1 1/2 cups semolina*
4 cups broth (veggie, mushroom or chicken)
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup cream
1 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cream cheese or chevre

Topping
1/2 lb kale
1 red onion
2 yams
1 crunchy apple (gala, pink lady or granny smith work well)
3 tbsp crushed, roasted nuts (I like hazelnuts, but almonds, walnuts or most anything else will work too)
Olive Oil for the pan

Salt and pepper to taste

Bring broth to a boil rolling boil. Add semolina slowly to avoid clumps. Cover and simmer until thick. Add cream, followed by grated cheddar cheese. Pour into 2 deep pie plates or one casserole dish, leaving about a half inch on top. Leave, uncovered to set. Meanwhile, chop and saute kale in olive oil followed by the red onions and yams. When vegetables are done, arrange on top on pie garnishing with nuts so each piece will get some of every vegetable. Serve warm or cold. Serves 8-10 people

TIP: I love to use my panini press to sautee veggies. If you put the top down, it cuts cooking time in half.

*You can also use cornmeal, polenta or grits. They're pretty much the same thing. Semolina is a slightly finer grain, but the measurements are the same.

The King and I

Have you ever seen The King and I?

When I was a child I thought Anna Leonowens' obsession with a home of her own was insane. What was her rush? She literally lived in a gold encrusted palace. No house she could get on her own was going to come close to as awesome as her accidental home. And yet, every time she got Yul Brynner alone she reminded him of his promise of a private brick residence (as opposed to the obvious pastime of staring dreamily at his chiseled jaw).

I've realized that Anna and I have a lot in common. I have a sweet thing going here. But I'm not going to let my domicile-fixation blind me to the loveliness around me. So, with that in mind, I'd like to invite you on a teeny tiny tour of my little house in the palace.

^^^ our living room. (though that window is being ripped out right this very moment and will soon be replaced by a beautiful set of glass French doors.) ^^^

^^^ the lamp + couch came from my great grandmother (Mimo's mom). she was the most elegant thing I've ever seen. I aspire to have half as much taste as she did in her baby finger. ^^^

^^^ my work station/entertainment center. the frame and blanket were snatched from the garbage--because I'm classy like that. ^^^

^^^ I'm kind of in love with these little chairs we found at a local furniture dealer. Greg, the owner has known Momo for a quarter century! he threw in the green and barrel chairs as "wedding presents" when we bought these babies. ^^^

^^^ love icons from one of my favorite artists, kimber, and the past. ^^^

^^^ doing dishes is somehow more pleasant at this sink. ^^^

^^^ funny story. i thought i pulverized my engagement ring in the garbage disposal the other day. later--after i found the ring in a pocket--i decided i needed a ring-holder by the sink. ^^^ 

^^^ the Klimt print was the last gift my grandfather ever gave me. also, Peter, the master carpenter who built this whole apartment, may very well be a wizard. ^^^