A Stable?

"It seems, then," said Tirian, smiling himself, "that the Stable seen from within and the Stable seen from without are two different places."

"Yes," said Lord Digory. "Its inside is bigger than its outside."

"Yes," said Queen Lucy. "In our world too, a Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world."

The Last Battle
C.S. Lewis

14 Days of Valentines

I did it different this year. Instead of letting my man pursue me and sprinkle romance all over my day, I started early to shower him instead.

Beginning February 1, I made it a goal to do something special for him each day, without telling him why or advertising my intent.

Ever short of funds, most of my love showers were homemade or gifts of time and effort. Some things I did were a love letter, a lipstick message on his mirror, a back massage (without asking), couple time, special dinner, flowers, chocolates, a funny movie, a hand massage for his winter hands (including my hot wax), a reload on his Starbucks card, candy hearts in the shape of a heart on his pillow...

By the third day, he was suspicious. That does make a statement about how much I love on him daily. Ouch.

I'd say he had it figured out around day 10. "So, do I quit getting the special treatment after Valentine's Day is over?"

Thought this was supposed to be for him. I think it was for me. Lesson learned. I need to show my love for him everyday. Make him feel special.

Sprinkle some romance.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Dessert

That's what I'm sayin.' Eat your heart out, Martha. Saw this recipe in the current Martha Stewart magazine, and had to try it for my family and my colleagues at school.

Did you know that painting melted chocolate on paper muffin papers is much harder in actuality than in print? Did you also know that melted chocolate on a paintbrush is worth several changes of clothes, burned fingers, soggy paper, and messy streaks (that melt upon touch) covering the surrounding four feet of kitchen space, not including the stove? Did you know that if even one tiny drop of water from the jimmy-rigged double boiler gets into the chocolate, the chocolate will form little balls and be gross and NOT spread at all and you will have to dump it and start again? Did you know that parchment paper frosting tubes DO NOT hold up to peanut butter? In fact, it oozes out like...Well, let's just say it oozes out.

This proves that I, too, can make calorie laden desserts. No, they do not look as pretty as the pictures in the magazine. But they did turn out.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Not for me. I'm sayin' My picture is worth a 1,000 calories!

Eat that. And then lick those fingers. Mmmm.


(You, too, can enjoy this delicious, mess-full dessert by finding the recipe in the February issue of Living; or possibly on the Martha Stewart web page.)

same shade of dirt

the winter look.
brown, gray, black
smudged, streaked, grimy

regardless of base coat,
every vehicle in my three valleys
sports the same shade of dirt

i recognize its meaning;
winter, i continue on,
foraging out in the wilds
risking bumper and door
to traverse the slickery trails

same shade of dirt
shows on fellow sojourners
grand or petite
rich or poor
none are exempt

my garage does not prevent
this winter root treatment
car wash does not last

road dirt is impartial
for this
this
same shade of dirt