Coffee Rituals

Yesterday, I read Kathleen Norris's essay The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy, and Women's Work. I had no idea when I started reading how apt it would be for my mood these days. It was actually a gift for someone else (someone who I think may not mind that I read it first), but as it has been on my list for a while I couldn't help starting in on it as soon as it arrived. It's a short work (approx. 100 pages) and a fast read. And just what I needed to hear.

As a homemaker, there are things about life that tend to repeat themselves day after day: dirty laundry, dirty floors, dirty dishes. This is a dirty world we live in. The day in and day out drudgery of repetitive housework can become quite a downer, if you let it. Norris, in her poetic and timely words, expresses the alternative to the spiritual ennui that may attend these quotidian duties. Allowing these rituals to be sanctified and sanctifying is God's intent for our days. Getting up every morning to change diapers, prepare breakfast, feed the dog, take out the trash -- these tasks are, at their root, God's work. Just as much as the priestly ritual of serving communion. The mystery is that He is using these daily rituals to transform not only us, but this entire world. Not to go too Postmillenial on you, but I firmly believe that my next load of laundry brings us one step closer to the new heavens and the new earth. Makes quite a different picture of the day when you think of it that way.

And yet, it is still so easy to forget. In the midst of the bedmaking and dishwashing, it is easy to go numb, let your mind go blank -- or worse, consider the endless to-do list yet to be accomplished. Norris, and indeed Christ, invites us to commune with God during these times. To let the task become a meditation on His faithfulness: that even as the snow and ice covered world outside my kitchen window appears to be hopelessly lost to cold weather, there is yet a springtime revival in sight. Hope is not lost, if only the dishes might be clean once more and returned to their cupboard for the next day's cleaning. And we are reminded that in His kingdom we shall be clean, once for all -- because Christ's sacrifice was once for all.

So, as I drink my first cup of coffee this morning (a daily ritual since college), I am encouraged to begin anew, just as He has chosen to give us a new day to begin. And I can say with Jeremiah:

"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

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In providential correlation with reading The Quotidian Mysteries, I have also happened upon this blog series regarding the importance of the Levitical woman: http://www.winceandsing.com/blog/2015/02/17/just-like-a-woman-but-what-is-a-woman/. A very interesting read and so relevant to the conversation that Norris has begun in my head!

Pantone Color of the Year: Marsala

I don't generally think of myself as a pink-wearing kinda lady (just never thought it worked with my skin-tone), but this is a color I can hop on board with. It has just enough browny-red to compensate for the lighter value and, although this makes it somewhat tricky to duplicate, I could definitely see how it could work well with my wardrobe in the coming months. What I really like is the colors it pairs well with, as shown below: a pale, robin's egg blue, bright "celery" green, and a peachy nude. Although the color may seem like it would be best suited for fall or winter, adding these light hues brightens it up and brings it into spring.

So, without further ado, here are some Marsala-themed mood boards to inspire you to incorporate Pantone's pick into your life! 

Marsala for the Home

Colored glass lamp base / Jaipur Rugs rug / Surya red throw blanket / Round beveled mirror / Home decor / Red wall art / Red home accessory / Houndstooth throw pillow / Upholstered furniture / Storage table

Although this is not a sponsored post, I noticed that all of these items are available for purchase from LampsPlus.com. Maybe I need to consider shopping there for future home decor purchases!

Up next, Marsala fashion picks... the color is a little harder to identify with so many variants in the shade, so terms like "rose", "mauve" and "maroon" came into play with this search. The color looks fantastic with gold, nude tones and pale blue-greens, so I added a coordinating items in there to showcase that.

Wearing Marsala

Burgundy dress / Toast linen top, $89 / George J. Love leather pumps / Suzanne Kalan yellow gold pave ring / Kendra Scott bib statement necklace / Swarovski green jewelry / Uzerai Edits blue topaz jewelry / Ted Baker hinged bracelet, $44 / Motif 56 elastic leather belt / Front Row Society multi colored scarve / GlassesUSA rectangular sunglasses / Jamberry Nail Wraps

Here's the one "marsala"-esque piece I've added to my wardrobe thus far. Thanks for catching on to the trend, Walmart! ;)

Walmart - In Stores Only

What's for Dinner? Wednesday: Red Curry Pork

Curries are one of my favorite go-to meals for incorporating a medley of veggies, whatever meat is available and quick rice or rice noodles. It can be as spicy or as mild as you prefer. The key ingredients may not be your standard pantry fare, but they can typically be found in the Asian food section at your local grocery store (curry paste, coconut milk, fish sauce).

I cooked a curry for the first time in college (Green Curry Chicken -- still a favorite), but can't recall where I found the recipe. I've prepared it many, many times over the years and the recipe tends to vary a little bit each time. It's the kind of dish you can experiment with and tweak to your taste. Don't have the vegetable the recipe calls for? Try using whatever's in the fridge! It works well with chicken, pork, beef, and seafood (shrimp is tasty). Hope you enjoy this dish as much as we do!

Red Curry Pork

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 T vegetable oil
• 1 onion, coursely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 T Thai Red Curry Paste (the brand I use is called A Taste of Thai)
• 1 lb pork filet, sliced thickly
• (I used a tenderloin from our local CSA, also a website client, Grass is Greener Meats)
• 2 cups green beans
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 can coconut milk (14 oz)
• 1 1/2 T soy sauce
• 1 T fish sauce (also A Taste of Thai)
• 2 T brown sugar
• Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
• Rice noodles or rice, to serve

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a work or large skillet and saute the onion and garlic for 1-2 minutes, until they are softened but not browned.
2. Add the pork slices and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until browned all over. Add the green beans and curry paste. Stir to coat with the curry paste.
3. Add the coconut milk, soy sauce and fish sauce; bring to a boil. Simmer for 4-5 minutes.
4. Add brown sugar and stir well. At this point, you can season the curry sauce to taste (I generally add 1-2 tsp of salt, maybe a dash of pepper). You can add more brown sugar to taste -- this reduces the spiciness of the dish
5. Add the tomatoes and cook another 1-2 minutes before serving with noodles or rice. Garnish with cilantro.

The wine is a Malbec by Alamos. I generally really enjoy Malbecs and this was an easy grab from Walmart. This one was a bit tart for my taste, or maybe just because I paired it with a spicier dish. I'll give it a shot again tomorrow night with Skillet Chicken.

Fabulous February Calendar

It's a day late, but here's my February Desktop Calendar. Enjoy!

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