Things are not always as they seem. This could be the result of being wasted and dropping a wine glass…. or, having the olive oil bottle, which had been draining all afternoon, suddenly topple over while my wine glass was positioned directly beneath. The rest is, as they say…. photography.
Here’s a great quick chicken recipe. Caramelize a sweet onion in butter, then add a little sugar until the sugar melts. Set aside to cool
Heat olive oil in skillet. Dip chicken breasts in flour with salt, pepper, basil, oregano, then dip in egg/water mixture, then add to pan until browned, about 7 minutes each side.
Drain skillet (not in your sink, silly. Outside, behind the back steps). Cover chicken with parmesan slices or brie (oh la la) or any nice cheese, then top with caramelized onions. Back 350 degrees until done.
Serve with veggies and your favorite wine.
Growing up in an ever sprawling metropolis, I’m used to driving. Everywhere. To get groceries, to get coffee. To go on a run. To go on a walk. In suburbia, one drives everywhere.
When I moved into the downtown area of the small but distinctly city Charlottesville, I have only slowly begun to relinquish my driving habits.
Having begun such a journey, I’ve found that it’s not for any particular environmental reason that I enjoy walking places, but merely because it’s more joyful to walk. I discovered today that within easy walking distance, in addition to my coffee shop, is my hardware store. Yes, I can walk to my local hardware store. I discovered this as I was driving to Lowes, a good twenty minute drive away. Old habits…
Regardless, I am now a fan of such local beauties, and have also succeeded where my landlord failed….
Home Improvement
For the last month, I’ve employed two of my towels to help seal the gaping holes under our front and back doors. No more. I have sealed the holes and am already feeling warmed by the endeavor. Here’s to keeping out the cold and snow!
The house is quiet. Resting, watching.
The snow outside illuminates where it does not insulate with an earthly glow. Sleep in peace.
You’re gonna want to check this one out when we launch at the beginning of February, but here’s a sneak peak: Poetic Justice Tour.
Also, finishing up the Pittsburgh Fellows Website– a very exciting and powerful website.
I realized tonight that cooking is divine. Eating can be, of course, good and enjoyable and communal, but something about the mixing raw ingredients is similar to what creation must have been like.
This is especially true with spices, real spices. Cardamom and cloves and ginger and cinnamon and allspice. They are a small voice in a big world whispering that God is indeed good.
And during weeks like this, we need to listen all the harder for such whispers.
My co-conspiritor, Rob
My brother is in town this week and we’ve found ourselves at my house sans roommates. Such an opportunity is not to be missed– rare are the times when one can decorate regardless of other’s tastes– or lack thereof, especially in regards to U2 paraphernalia.
Bikes, complements of Davis.
We first took it upon ourselves to rid the entryway of an excess of bikes. Instead of screaming HEALTH, they oddly scream “Batch Pad, Minus 10,” clearly unacceptable. We’ve hung them like bats in the belfry in a corner of the dining area. They now scream “Sweet Batch Pad with Super Cool Single Guy(s)… plus 15!”
Not to be spent so easily, we installed a programmable thermostat so I can effortlessly keep the house cold all the time– not just when I’m at home! This one has biometric recognition so only I can program it. Haha.
Beneath the bikes lay 6 months of dust, and our fashionable carpet hadn’t been cared for since Dan cleaned it at Ferne Gully. I took it upon myself to provide a decent vacuum cleaner for the house. This one works without a bag. Upon vacuuming my room, the container was completely full of dust and debris. I’ll drink to a healthier life without dust!
Coffee tree from Tom Kilpatrick, now flourishing in Charlottesville
Not a shabby way to spend a Friday night. Granted, not the best way either, but the end result is amazing. The den is now livable and the rest of the house awaits the same conquering. What will become of this house now that people might actually want to live here? 
When we completed the cleaning/decoration, we watched Public Enemies. Depp did wonderfully as usual, but the flick left one feeling, well, that crime just doesn’t pay. A definite change from the usual Italian Job style shoot ‘em up where the bad guys are the thieves stealing from the thieves, and the original owners are happily left out altogether.
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