Roger and Liz

Two lovable con-artists, Roger and Liz, adventuring American high society together in the early 1920's.  Seen at the races, the clubs and courses, they enamored all of their friends and stole from each of them- their money, their trust and in return gave to them the taste of love and adventure that these two chemically radiated whenever they were together.

 "Oh Roger," Liz exclaims, her hands placed palm-flat against the silk of his wide lapeled vest.  He looks at her with interest, the hint of money slipping from beneath her bra to frame her lovely figure in greens and whites.  She'd stuffed the dollars she'd shifted from Sarah's red and pearl embroidered purse (all of it!) against her chest, next to her heart, and his hand were upon the small of her back, guiding her closer to press tightly against him.  Their hearts were racing from the thrill of the game, the thrill of being caught up in this chicanery together, every risky moment bonding them even more.

He loved her more than he had loved anything else, and that is why he always kept a bit of a layer between them sexually.

They flirted heavily with each other and he eased his hands over her body, smoothly caressed her hair, her cheeks, but could not get a rise when she nuzzled her face against his pant-clad lap.

She wondered if he loved money more than he loved her, or the sense of adventure they had together - but that was not the case.  He loved her much more than he dare admit, for to admit it would give her compete mastery over him. 

Sweet and beautiful and charming as she was, he did not know if he could afford to lose himself with her - to lose himself would be to lose everything, for he was all he ever had.  Everything else came and went on a dime - money, clothes, people, places...

But he could not dare himself the risk of losing himself to her, no matter how deep were the pools of promise in her eyes and the sweet sincerity of her heart - he knew she was his.  He knew it with every fiber of his being.  But did he trust himself enough to keep her?

Keep her from every harm, every pain, every dirty, rotten thing he'd encountered on this ferris wheel ride?  It made his head spin to think of the responsibility his heart would be burdened with if he allowed her to come into it.

So, instead, she was his dance partner, and they danced many times together, in and out of different scenes, different cities, charming the lot of them in each scenario because they could, because everyone could feel the chemistry between them and were enamored by it.

They always attracted attention when they were together.  It was a heady trap they'd set, and they themselves were the chief rats caught in the middle of their own dynamic drama.  They chased and eluded each other as much as they chased and eluded their patsy friends.  They loved to play the game.

Until one day, when she asked to change the rules, until she asked him to give more than he was willing to give.

And he left... left her to find her own way because he knew she needed to be loved, and he did not know if he wanted to be responsible for that.

Neither were able to find satisfaction in their separation.  Both of them had broken hearts.

Maybe they would find each other again in another time, another life - and try once more to make it work.  Maybe, one day, they'd play the game to win.

Kale, Butternut Squash and Chickpea salad with Tahini dressing

I cannot eat enough of this salad since my friend, Michelle, shared some with me.  Because it is so varied in nutrients, it can be used as a side dish or a main dish.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2 bunches kale (red and/or green)- leafy parts only; remove the tough ribbing
1 c chopped cilantro
mix above and set aside

1-2 butternut squash, peeled, de-seeded and cut into bite sized squares
1 15 oz can garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas) drained and rinsed
2-3 T olive oil
1-2 T curry powder
dash (or three) of cayenne
sprinkles of kosher salt (optional)
Toss together above ingredients and place on foil-lined cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until the squash is tender

DRESSING:
2 T Tahini
1/4 c olive oil
1 T vinegar of your choice (I've used apple cider vinegar and rice wine vinegar and both are lovely)
1 t honey
1/2 t kosher salt
Combine in a jar with a well fitting lid the ingredients above, then shake vigorously to mix.

Drizzle dressing over kale and cilantro and let rest to allow kale pieces to soften while the squash and chickpeas cool.  Toss all ingredients together and add 1 c candied nuts on top!

CANDIED NUTS:
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1 T cinnamon
1 t salt
1/8 t cayenne pepper
4 c pecan and/or walnut halves, unsalted
1 egg white, whisked

Preheat oven to 300 degrees
Add sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and cayenne to a large bowl or ziplock bag.  Toss or whisk and set aside.
In a separate bowl, add nuts and egg whites- toss until combined and pecans/walnuts are evenly coated.
Add sugar mixture and toss until combined.  Spread mixture evenly on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 40 minutes, removing nuts and giving them a stir after 20 minutes, then returning to oven to ensure even toasting.  Bake until nuts are fragrant and sugar coating is cooked.  (the sugar will harden more once the nuts are out of the oven)
Remove and cool until nuts are room temperature. Transfer to an air-tight container to store.  (These make an excellent gift, btw, jarred up in a nice mason jar with a ribbon and some pretty fabric)  Add to granola or use as a salad topper, or eat by themselves as a sweet snack.

Pumpkin Bread with Cranberries

Thanks to working with some of the most exquisite bakers, I have obtained a fabulous recipe for the most delicious pumpkin bread I've ever tasted.  It has become a staple in our home which I make at least 6 times/year.  This recipe makes 2 loaves, so be sure to share with friends and family (or stick one in the freezer for later!)

3 1/2 c flour (I use whole wheat flour)
2 t baking soda
1 1/2 t salt
1 t baking powder
2 t cinnamon
2 t nutmeg
1/2 t ground cloves
3 c sugar
2-3 T minced fresh ginger root
2/3 c water
1 c oil (I prefer to use shortening in quick breads because it makes the loaves less dense)
5 beaten eggs
1 15 oz can pumpkin
1 bag fresh cranberries
(optional- 1 c walnut or pecan pieces)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease two loaf pans

Mix dry ingredients first, then add wet, then beat on high for 2 minutes to add lift to dough by activating the gluten in the flour.  Add pumpkin and cranberries last.  Bake for 1 hour or until set.

Remove from loaf pans after 10-15 minutes and allow to cool on wire rack completely before wrapping up in foil for storage.

Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cookies

What happens when you adore chocolate?  You make chocolate chocolate-chip cookies and share the love!

(For my ToastMasters colleagues that enjoyed our luncheon yesterday so much and requested this recipe- Much love to you all!)


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Start by mixing:
1 cup butter (room temp)
1 c light brown sugar
1/2 c sugar

Scrape bowl if needed, then add:
2 t vanilla
2 eggs

Mix all wet ingredients then sift the following together and slowly add:
2 1/4 c flour
1/2 t baking soda
1 t salt

Finally, add 2 cups of chocolate chips and then drop by rounded spoonful onto cookie sheets (dough is extra sticky!) and bake for 8-10 minutes.  Remove from sheet within a few minutes; these cookies are semi-fragile, but worry not: you can eat the ones that break.  Ahhhh... the joy of baking! :)

Collapsing the Duality Within

Each of us harbor these two inner conflicts:

The fear of being controlled or forced.  

No one likes being told what to do, forced into doing something they don't like, don't believe in or made to do something without consent.

The fear of being abandoned or rejected.

No one wants to be left alone in their time of financial need, emotional depression, physical ailment or any low point in their life.

No one wants either of these things in a relationship.  All of us have endured experiencing it.

When threatened, is it "Fight or Flight?"

"Float like a butterfly or sting like a bee?"
Realize that you have more than two choices.

.

When we take time to consider these two deep inner fears, we are better equipped to understand the reasoning behind the actions of self and others.  If either of these tender wounds becomes threatened, we retreat into our well-grooved "fight or flight" reactive response patterns.

One who fears being controlled by another may overtly force others, daring another to take it from him; likewise for fear of being controlled, one may flee physically or emotionally.

One who fears abandonment may assert control over a relationship, building co-dependance, coercion and other imbalances; likewise one who is fearful of being abandoned or rejected may never open up to allow himself to receive it, fleeing even the possibility.

Look to yourself and notice if any of your behavior reflects reactions such as these to relationships.  Being mindful of these patterns in others allows us to use empathy and compassion in our interactions, for we understand they come from a wounded place themselves.  Notice where you may be allowing yourself to be controlled or abandoned in your life.  Go within and ask yourself why you are allowing this.  Find which fear is at the root of that which is keeping you from blissful success.  

Becoming aware is the first stage to make significant and lasting changes in life.  

Being mindful when taking action is the second: Be the change you wish to see.

 

Blond Brownies

Blond Brownies with Walnuts and Chocolate Chips

A family favorite of mine since childhood, these light colored brownies are rich in density.  I love baking these blondies for the holidays.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients separately and set aside; you will add these to the wet ingredients last.

Dry Ingredients
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt


Wet Ingredients
Melt 2/3 cup butter
Add 2 cups firmly packed brown sugar and mix together.


Add 2 teaspoons vanilla and 2 eggs
Mix well.

Add flour mixture gradually, mixing well.  This will be a sticky batter that will wants to move slowly together a bit like taffy.  You do not need to force this batter- simply guide it and use a scraper to keep it coagulated. 

Place batter into 13x9 inch pan.
Sprinkle top with 5 oz (1/2 package) chocolate chips and 1/3 cup walnuts. 
Bake for 30 minutes. 
Let cool then cut and enjoy!

Humbly Magnificent

It has always been easy for me to see the very best in people.  When I connect with someone, I immediately see their goodness, their skills and feel their passion.  I am a catalyst for bringing that to surface awareness, which is a good part of what makes it fun for me to be in marketing and promotion.  I catch hold of your greatness, I find the reins of what feeds your passion, I encourage and extrapolate, helping to put together the best aspects of who you are and what you represent.

What vexes me as a Seer is when someone cannot see that beautiful potential within themselves.  Sometimes I feel as though I have failed in not successfully showing it to them.  But in all truth, it is only that they do not really wish to see it.

Why are so many people so scared of owning their own greatness?  Is it too daunting?  Are you nervous that more will be expected of you?  That you will have to work harder?  That you will be more accountable?  Do you fear that suddenly your whole life will completely change?

Owning your greatness does not have to be an immediate jump.  It is a recognition, an awareness of that which you already are.  You can take this process as slowly as you would like.  It does not have to suddenly turn your life around.  Baby steps of awareness are as powerful as gigantic leaps of faith, for it is within those baby steps that you can completely change your perspective and thus your entire direction and manner in which you move will shift along with it.


Once you start to recognize just how beautiful, capable and worthy you are, you will also start to see how you are connected and that you are part of a greater design.  You will see that other people are just as worthy and valuable as you are.  This is a very humbling and magnifying perspective to hold- one that is worthy of awe and reverence once you start to really grasp it.

Many people are still sleepily stuck in the "unaware" dreamland of distracted existence.  It is up to us to help remind people to find that goodness of who they are in the kernel of their heart, to recognize and nurture it, to take baby steps of awareness, to start to stand more firmly in their greatness, to not be afraid of the power of their potential, and ultimately to unleash their magnificence.

How do we do this?  We model it in our actions, in our manner and how we move.  We become consciously aware that we are the change we wish to see in the world.  It is a very accountable way of living and not one for the faint of heart, for the world currently fights against its own honor.  This unsustainable way of living is coming to a close and is made all the more poignant as the world starts to rattle and shake from its unstable distribution of power and oppression.

Remember your greatness.  Remember your strength of conviction in what is right and true and good and honorable in your heart.  Remember that when things get difficult, we are to rely on one another, to trust one another, to love one another.  This is how we survive as a species, as a group, as a whole- we help each other, extend to each other, see the good in each other, and actively celebrate the small miracles that are given to us each and every day.  Remember the axiom upon which we have founded ourselves: United we stand, divided we fall.