"There is no spectacle on earth more appealing than that of a beautiful woman in the act of cooking dinner for someone she loves." — Thomas Wolfe

Probably until yesterday, I would have scoffed at this Thomas Wolfe quote and called it sexist. Today, I still believe that there are many spectacles on earth more appealing than that of a woman in the kitchen, but I can admit that I see his point. I've never really envisioned myself as a future homemaker - instead, often imagining myself in high heels and power suits clicking along the busy city sidewalk to get to my next meeting - but with the time I've had off this past week, I began to dabble in some of those homemaking duties. Cleaning aside, because let's be honest, I find cleaning and organization a stress coping mechanism, I've mostly been doing a lot of cooking!

It started with a grocery shopping fail: stocking up on perishables when I forgot I'd be leaving for vacation. I had all of these delicious ingredients in my house with no time to eat them, so I began cooking for others. Somehow over a few short days, I accomplished a beautifully medium rare roast beef with roasted potatoes, a spring pasta salad, spinach stuffed chicken rollatini with olive oil dressed pasta, and a homemade banana bread. And it all felt great. I definitely value the effort many women put in to making a lovely home for their families, because knowing that you are cooking for someone who is truly appreciative really does feel good. 

Joy of Baking Easy Banana Bread Recipe - It's so easy, I had all the ingredients around the house!

1 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped (optional)

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated white sugar

1 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

3 ripe large bananas, mashed well (about 1-1/2 cups)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees; butter (or spray) and flour 9 x 5 x 3 baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nuts (toasting optional). In a separate bowl, combine eggs, butter, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Lightly fold the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients. Batter should not be smooth, but thick and chunky. Scrape batter into pan, and bake between 55 and 60 minutes until the bread is golden brown. Test the bread with a toothpick to make sure it is done. Rest pan on a cooling rack, remove bread, and serve! 

I'm going to continue to enjoy my stint as a homemaker before I get back to the grind of school and work. But now I know, I guess I do have a little bit of Betty Crocker meets Desperate Housewife in me after all! 

“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.” - Anonymous

Photo Courtesy: Flickr

Today is a special day. Three years and counting, I love the romance and feel of anniversaries; taking one day to make sure to tell someone you love them, even if you say it every day. But even more than that, it is a day to say thank you. Thank you for standing by my side, for making me laugh, for talking me off ledges, for being just plain awesome, and most of all, thank you for giving my notion of love the best meaning it could possibly have. 

"Love, the greatest of all things!" - Shirley Kreasan Strout

Photo: McCall's Magazine via Flickr

Remember in Elementary School when everyone got little Valentine's Day cards in their decorated paper mailboxes? Ahh yes...those were the days...


Now, depending on the year or the mood, Valentine's Day can be one of the most celebrated days or one of the most hated days of the year. For some of us, it is a wonderful excuse to have a night out with that someone special, but for others, it is a time to binge on Ben and Jerry's ice cream and viciously point out the flaws of corporate America (sorry, Hallmark). 


But all criticism aside, I actually really like Valentine's Day. Sure, it can be a day where couples make other people feel uncomfortable with unnecessary PDA, but when I look past the unfortunate visuals, I see a day where love prevails above all. It is a time to reflect on the connections we make with each other as humans and to recognize that we all share the same repertoire of emotions, including love. Not every culture has a word for the feeling of "love" like ours does, but I truly believe we are all loved by someone. Whether we even know it, understand it, or not, the love that exists should be acknowledged and celebrated; and Valentine's Day gives us the perfect excuse to do just that.


...and get flowers...and cards...and candy...wait, make that chocolate....Mmmm....

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Photo: U.S. National Archives (courtesy Flickr)

It is only day three of Open to Interpretation, and it is evolving in my head at the speed of light. Today, instead of searching for an inspiration, I knew exactly what I wanted to be inspired by: Black History Month. And my muse? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His perspective on the innate goodness of the human spirit is truly awe-inspiring. Can we all really put our differences aside? Can we replace our prejudices with love and respect? Martin Luther King, Jr. sacrificed the most precious gift of life, yet, are we even close to fulfilling his iconic dream?

Since moving to New Orleans, race and all that goes with it has been illuminated in some of the ugliest and darkest of ways. However, in addition to seeing the disparities that still exist between people of different colors, I have also seen the light. I've seen people come together to take a stand. To acknowledge it. To talk about it. To fix it. 

People say Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love, and perhaps it is, but the title could also go to New Orleans. The people of New Orleans love their food, love their music, love their architecture, and above all, love the Saints. So why not push that love one step further, and love each other, regardless of color. It's time to celebrate our differences, and then maybe share a bowl of jambalaya. Or alligator cheesecake. Yummm

Curious about the efforts New Orleanians are putting forth to promote love and respect among people of all colors? Check out www.eracismneworleans.org. And share your favorite Dr. Martin Luther King inspiration by commenting below. Because in the end, it's all open to interpretation!

"Live well...Laugh often...Love much!" - John McLeod

Photo: Rachel DeHayes     

Live….Laugh…and Love 

By John McLeod

Live well dear friends 

In all you do, 

Tho' paths be old 

Or paths be new, 

But to yourself 

Be ever true, 

Live well!

Laugh often friends 

Tho' passing years 

Bring, sometimes, smiles 

And, sometimes, tears, 

For mirth forever 

Warms and cheers 

Laugh often!

Love much dear friends 

For love will bring 

The healing joy 

And hope of Spring, 

Where pain and fear may never dwell 

Nor anguish touch….

And so Live well, 

Laugh often too, 

And more, dear friends, 

Love much!

The condensed (aka Target wall decal) version of this John McLeod poem, entitled "Live...Laugh...and Love," hangs over my bed in my New Orleans apartment. In decorating a room, I've never been one for posters. Most likely for the same reason I will never get a tattoo: there is nothing in picture/symbol form that I care about so much that I need it to be permanent. Not that posters are permanent, but I fear I'll tire of the latest movie title or trendy, abstract photo. So, when I found these three simple words that I paired with wine and accompanying grapes, I knew it was perfect for me. These are the first words I see in the morning, and the last words I see before going to bed. They are a subtle reminder to take a moment to reflect on life, to embrace the joy of laughter, and to relish all the love that I am so lucky to have and to give.