Tuesday, January 31, 2012

On Thinking

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." -William Shakespeare

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Letters From Iceland

"Isn't it true however far we've wandered into our provinces of persecution, where our regrets accuse, we keep returning back to the common faith from which we've all dissented, back to the hands, the feet, the faces? Children are always there and take the hands, even when they are most terrified. Those in love cannot make up their minds to go or stay. Artist and doctor return most often. Only the mad will never, never come back. For doctors keep on worrying while away, in case their skill is suffering or deserted. Lovers have lived so long with giants and elves, they want belief again in their own size. And the artist prays ever so gently, let me find pure all that can happen... " -W.H. Auden & Louis MacNeice


internetblog.org.uk

Thursday, January 26, 2012

20 Years From Now...

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain



Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Happy Birthday Baby

for my paisano, partner in crime, my badass love...

to your self-discoveries, 
to your illumination, 
to the awakenings and quakings of
your dreams that stream
threads of gold
from your heart
your art 
to the world
your essence
the lessons yet untold
let it unfold
to the fullest
the boldest
rainbow
that beams among clouds.

your are the rainbow in the clouds.

happy birthday. feliz cumpleanos. bon anniversaire.

i love you.

     

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise. 
dr maya angelou

Sunday, January 08, 2012

Saturday, January 07, 2012

On My Way

playa santa teresa, costa rica

gracias lee for capturing the moment...


Friday, January 06, 2012

Leftover Beef Bourguignon?

Leftovers are the greatest gift...especially if it's in beef bourguignon form made courtesy by a friend who made a huge pot for nye's dinner, (Challah and Latka Prince Bierman). Add in some leftover homemade puff pastry from some homemade galette de rois and stand back for one of those all time gild the lily moments...this one's a sure winner. Beef bourguignon empanadas!

oh.....yeahhh

I wish you could taste one chicos but for now I hope the pictures will do. Buen provecho.

plus some scallions, curry powder and some leftover nuoc cham
da perfect size
i like to make my food look purdy
reusing my sf voter's booklet I've been lugging around...

Foto del Dia

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Sunset @ Brisas del Mar

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Hmong Generation Finds Its Voice

a wonderful article in the new york times...


"Now, here I am, adopted citizen,
Not rooted in this land, unable to taste
The spirit in its dust,
To sense its moods in the pollen.
How do I begin my song?"

Monday, January 02, 2012

Super Challah #2

More challah experiments (from the last post)...

rolling them thin is the secret to retaining the braid when baking
3 braid + 5 braid
indenting the 5 braid for the stacking
challah double decker

drum roll...





Sunday, January 01, 2012

Galettes des Rois

When our friend Lee arrived in Costa Rica, he carried a special (and very heavy) package for me from the states...almond meal! It's hard to find if not impossible here, but I wanted it simply to make this special cake.

It's name...galette des rois. "King cake" is eaten in France and traditionally sold in January to celebrate Epiphany.

This is a favorite childhood memory when I grew up in France (that and tomato soup). The prize of the cake is a fève...usually a small porcelain trinket / figurine in the shape of animals...baby jesus. This is what every child is secretly after when they are given a slice of this heavenly almond cake...for who ever finds the fève gets to wear the golden paper crown that the cake comes with when bought at the local bakeries.

Yesterday, I decided to open my stash of almond meal. I made 2 cakes with homemade puff pastry (from homemade yeast)...everything was made from scratch. I gave one to Melaniaz, who takes care of the beach house where we're staying in Santa Teresa and another one for an intimate nye's dinner with friends. 

I am over the moon with how the cake came out. Even better than how I remembered...very moist, light and flavorful...enjoy the photos.

To celebrating 2012. 

Love, mb




from Chocolate & Zucchini

Champagne Wishes for 2012

To love, abundance and new discoveries...



last of the 2011 sunsets (playa st teresa, costa rica)

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...