thought of the day

if you've got pebbles in your mouth, spit them out.

crushin'

The sole purpose of writing this down is so I never EVER forget this. So, I'm sitting here cuddling with my son, telling him how much I love him. His reply, "Mom, I think that's why I love Annie (his new cute lady friend), because when I was coloring with her at school, she made me feel like I was coloring with you." Tears. Tears. Tears. Wow. That one hurt so good. My response, "they better all make you feel that way, or else..."

Love is a freedom we all know

I was booking up a trail by my house, trying to get in both excercise, peace and tranquility. I found this little path off the beaten trail and followed it to sit on top of this huge rock facing a valley with running water. Often, when I find myself alone in nature, I either contemplate almost everything but the kitchen sink, or nothing at all. I can become so deep in thought that I forget how I got here, or so spaced that I can hear the ants making tunnels in the dirt. Today, my head was filled with books of random thoughts, and I looked up into the sky to try to find some peace and quiet. And, I kid you not, I saw a whisp of clouds that at first read "LOVE". I looked back up again to convince myself this was just an illusion, and the whisp quickly read "LIVE", and then faded away into royal blue sky. All of the sudden, everything in my head became extremely quiet and I saw the purpose for everything in my life, or at least for the day. Love makes you live. So touche, but honestly true. As example, I was talking to a 'client' not to long ago, and apparantley I kept saying things such as "I love the way that looks", or "I love making that", and I quickly fell embarrassed when she replied back, "You just love everything, don't you Erin", then I wiped that shame away and said, "yeah, I do."

beans and cheese anytime of the day

So, let's talk soul food. In great hopes that everyone has some 'soul' to go home too, it's the best thing since sliced bread, I mean warm torts. I love love love the fact that when I go home to 'Pops' house, I get my dose everytime. My dad always shoving a bowl of green chile in my face with a bag of broken up corn chips, asking me my opinion on his new recipe. The funny thing is, it always tastes the same to me. The chiles are so hot that most of the time I can't tell the difference. And salsa, it's like a foodgroup. Without a doubt, always tubbed up in the fridge, paired delisciously with any meal. Seriously.
And, as it happens to be, I was in luck when I married my husband, a tall dark and handsome Phillipino, with a last name that granted me permission to still belong among my peeps. And the food that came with the package...off the hook. Not to mention when 'mom' is cooking, that woman is the real deal. No messing around, and all secrets about her recipes. When I once thought beans and cheese, torts and chips, were the essential in every kitchen, I now add to my list rice and meat, garlic and soy.

weekly horoscope

This week will bring much rice and meat. It's time to get out the air matress and slumber party like it's 1999.

I love...

a good man who knows how to work on cars. it's hot.

promise to repeat

I got some organic local rhubarb from my sis in-law, and couldn't wait to bake it up. Just got done licking the bowl of warm, sticky remnants from strawberry rhubarb crisp and can't stop thinking about it. The flavor or rhubarb is intensely unique, but if prepared with the right touches, it can set off a seemingly normal dessert and make it divine. If just one person makes this recipe of mine, and enjoys strawberry and rhubarb like yin and yang, sticky and sweet, fully satisfied with every bite, then I'll know you know what I know! Get you some! and don't forget the ice cream, a la mode!
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

STRAWBERRY AND RHUBARB FILLING
a handful of rhubarb stalks, diced into 1/2" pieces
an even bigger handful of fresh chopped strawberries
2 c. powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter

in a saute pan, combine rhubarb, powdered sugar, and butter. On med. low heat get the rhubarb going, stiring in powdered sugar until dissolved and butter until melted. Let it get cooking until rhubarb is slightly tender and sweetened from cooking in sugar. If your rhubarb is super tart, add MORE SUGAR! don't be afraid. Rhubarb is extremely tart and unlikely tasty unless it's sweetned correctly. You'll know it's done when you can enjoy it with mild tartness with balanced sweetness, and the texture will be like a cooked carrot in soup. Add freshly diced strawberries, and there you have your crisp filling, ready to go.

CRISP TOPPING
1 stick of cold butter diced into small cubes
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. flour
dash salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

combine flour, brown sugar, and butter into large bowl. Using the 'cut in' method, combine. When you 'cut in' something into a batter, you are making the batter flaky and crumbly, in this case so you can sprinkle on the crisp topping. Using a fork and knife, cut up butter in the bowl with flour and brown sugar until there is only small chunks of butter left in batter, and it resembles a strusel or coffee cake topping. Add salt and vanilla and stir to combine.

put strawberry rhubarb filling into a pie pan or baking dish, sprinkle the top with crisp topping, and toss into a 400 degree oven. Bake for about 15 minutes, until crisp topping is golden brown and fruit is bubbling hot. Eat immediately. Pair with vanilla ice cream, and enjoy the temperature contrast of sweet, buttery hot fruit crisp, and cold smoothe cream. awwwwwwwwhhhh daaaang...