Sprizee :: A simple girl replete with complications

Broccoli Salad Algebra

Yesterday I made a salad that called for 4 slices of bacon. But I was juggling a bunch of other things at the time like keeping Hen from totally losing it just because I stepped into the kitchen for one millisecond to make sure the bacon wasn't burning. And then I burned the bacon.

So I cooked 4 more slices because I wasn't about to put burnt bacon in a salad I had just spent 20 minutes prepping. But then as I was waiting for the new slices of bacon to cook, I ate the burnt bacon, because, you know, it may have been burnt but it was still bacon.

When the new bacon was done I tossed that in the finished salad bowl and devoured the whole thing for dinner. Did I mention that it was 9 o'clock by then? And that is how I found myself at the end of a very long day having eaten 8 slices of bacon. Oops. 

Salad:
1 head broccoli cut up
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1/2 cup raisins

Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tbsp cider vinegar (or whatever you have on hand)
1 tbsp honey
1/4 cup salted and roasted sunflower seeds

Mix up the dressing and toss in the rest of the ingredients. Don't burn the bacon or you'll end up eating twice as much. 

I can't go back and I don't want to.

Have I mentioned how much I love that Celeste is blogging again? Well, on Twitter sure. But here? This place is dusty with cobwebs and neglected ambitions. Her recent post One Hundred Word Wednesday: Hibiscus reminded me 1) that short is sweet and 2) of my own childhood. Have you read it yet? Go on. I'll wait.

Growing up in San Diego, I too was a destroyer of hibiscus flowers. Along with honeysuckle, geraniums, and lemon grass. To this day the scent of a geraniums takes me right back to 1272 Santa Barbara Street, in the side yard next to the house where my mom, aunts and uncle all grew up, playing in the dirt, singing songs to myself, taking the days of unending sunshine with a sweet breeze for granted.

I like the seasons too much to ever move back there. But it still makes me nostalgic and feels bittersweet.

10 Years Ago Today

To The Dude,

You are an amazing friend, husband, and father. It's been such a joy to watch you interact with Henry. Heart melting, really. And while heartbroken college me never would have imagined that we'd end up married years later, or that after we got married that we'd wait nearly 10 years before we finally had a kid, I couldn't imagine things any other way. I cherish all the time we've already spent exploring the world, traveling. And now I'm looking forward to new adventures with you and Henry.

I'm so glad that I chose so well when we started dating so many years ago. You are kind, generous, loving, patient, thoughtful, smart, funny and fiercely loyal. Also, you still look wicked smart in a slim cut suit. I love you, I love you, I love you.

Happy 10th year anniversary to us.

9 Years Ago Today

2011 Looking Back

2011 Looking Back, originally uploaded by sprizee.

I spend New Year's Day at Carkeek Park, pretending the water isn't simply the Puget Sound and is actually the Pacific Ocean. A few days later I drive to the real thing and write my resolutions in the sand. Floss daily. Say yes more. Do the right thing, not the easy thing. Bread is broken with friends over turkey and all the trimmings for another Friendsgiving. I fly to Las Vegas on business. A week later I fly to Paris. In Paris I start wondering if perhaps there's a big change looming in the future.

It turns out the big change in my life isn't just a freshly remodeled bathroom at home, but news that later this year a new roommate will be moving in. A day later, on the 11th year anniversary of The Dude proposing to me, I surprise him with news of the new roommate. We're thrilled and shocked and excited and freaked out all at once. Other things happen like morning sickness, pregnancy fatigue, weddings of long time friends and birthing classes. But mostly the rest of the year is a blur of happy excitment and anticipation. 

On October 10 my due date comes and goes, and still we wait. 12 days later, after being induced and 3 days of labor Hendrik Orson finally arrives on October 22. The rest of the year is another blur of more happy memories and firsts. At the begining of the 2011, I had a goal in mind that "done is better than perfect" having struggled too many years never getting to things because it wasn't the perfect time, or the perfect place. Let me tell you, it was exhausting constantly waiting for the moon and the stars to align. But letting go of perfection, and just focusing on the doing, was the thing that allowed me to accomplish so many goals things in 2011. 

And it turns out sometimes done is equal to perfect. Especially when there's a Henry involved.

2010 Looking Back

Good Day for a Picnic

I'm in a cookbook club. DId I mention that? It's awesome. We pick a book and get together every couple of months. It's basically a giant potluck guaranteed to happen 6 times a year. And we always end up with tons of leftovers.

It's great to know so many smart, creative people who enjoy food just as much as me.

Anyways, I'm blowing the dust off this space to share this recipe from our most recent meetup. Since I made it for our picnic a few weeks back I've already made it several more times. Quick, satisifying and great on a hot summer day.

Sesame Noodle Salad adapted from A Good Day for a Picnic

8 oz. asian wheat noodles (or thin spagetti)
1 Tablespoon raw sesame seeds (or just skip since most of these end up at the bottom of the bowl)
1/4 cup toasted sesame oil (when I doubled this recipe I cut the oil down to 1/2 cup)
1 Tablespoon minced fresh ginger (mincing is for folks w/too much time, I just micro-grated mine)
3 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 Tablespoons lime juice (or if you're like me the juice of a single lime w/out measuring)
2 teaspoons chill-garlic sauce
1 small cucumber peeled and seeded and cut into half circles
Salt to taste

Boil the noodles according to directions. Rinse and drain w/cold water to prevent from sticking together.

Toast the sesame seeds over a medium low heat until they have just started to brown. 5-10 minutes. Reserve the seeds.

In the same skillet, heat the sesame oli over medium heat. When the oil is hot add the ginger and garlic and saute for 15 seconds. Then add all the liquid ingredicents. Bring to simmer and simmer for 1 minute.

Toss the noodles w/the sauce. Add seeds and top with cucumbers.

Can be served at room temp or cold.

Keeps for 2 days.

P.S. We don't always get it right. Once we cooked from Cookin' with Coolio. Things happen.

Sunshine Sunday

I spent the morning spinning tunes and catching up on work. I know that sounds awful but it was actually a pretty good time.

Who's Lovin' You? - Jackson 5
Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours - Stevie Wonder
Billy Jean - Michael Jackson
Respect - Aretha Franklin
I'll Be There - Jackson 5
Blame It On The Boogie - Michael Jackson
Got To Give It Up - Marvin Gaye
Want You Back - Jackson 5
Rockin Robin - Jackson 5
Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Chain of Fools - Aretha Franklin
I Got A Woman - Ray Charles

See? Not half bad.

9 Years Ago Today

9 years ago today I showed up to the church only to discover that all the decorations Misty, Stacy and the rest of my friends had help me put up during the rehearsal the night before were gone. Gone. Gone. Gone. I didn't care. After all, at the end of the day, I'd be going home with this guy.

If you've ever met him, I'm sure you can understand where I was coming from.

Neilson, you don't happen to have anything else up your sleeve do you? Just a little something that says 9 years of marriage is even more amazing than 5 years of marriage? What's that? I'm on my own for this one? Crap.

The Dude is the kindest, sweetest, most patient and loveable person I know. His curosity is inspiring. His concern for others is endearing. His knowledge is vast and impressive. His dance skills are commanding and he also happens to look damn fine in a slim cut suit. Ten years ago he proposed to me against the backdrop of the Seattle skyline and for once in my life I did not hesitate to make a decision. For once the anwser was obvious and easy.

Happy Anniversary Sweetpea. I love you. I love you. I love you.