looking to be underwhelmed for a little while

how is it mid-november already? where has the year gone? what's happened to my ever-growing list of goals? well, i am working on buying a house (though not a solo endeavor) while working on artwork while teaching while not going to yoga while feeling a bit overwhelmed. okay, a lot overwhelmed. but i am figuring it all out. figuring that if i went to yoga more perhaps i wouldn't feel so overwhelmed. figuring that these things i am working on are some of my goals, granted the self-serving ones. maybe not teaching but that provides me income to materialize the house, the art, and the yoga that i am not going to. argh! i am finding humor in it all as i write this. blog therapy. i'll just add to my to-do list: re-read this entry the next time i am feeling overwhelmed. until then, here's a recipe that will not overwhelm the cook because it is as easy as pie. wait. easier. and it goes well with the current resurgence of summer heat.

lemon-infused linguine with sauteed scallops

serves 2
large scallops (4-5 per person)
zest of 2 lemons. reserve lemons
1/4 c. really good extra virgin olive oil plus 2 tblspns
1/2 lb. linguine
1 c. arugula
salt
pepper

1. put large pot of water (for linguine) to boil
2. place linguine in boiling water. cook until al dente. about 11 minutes
3. rinse, pat dry scallops. season with salt and pepper
4. heat sautee pan with 2 tblspns olive oil over medium-high heat
5. combine lemon zest and olive oil in small bowl. set aside.
6. place scallops in sautee pan. cook for 2 minutes or until golden brown. turn and repeat.
7. drain linguine, return to cooking pot, and add arugula. stir to wilt arugula.
8. strain zest from olive oil through sieve, reserving olive oil.
9. divide linguine in two large bowls, top with scallops, drizzle lemon oil.
10. squeeze lemon juice to taste.

giving thanks in muffins

i absolutely love being in the kitchen making decadent dishes for the holidays, in particular thanksgiving; i can smell the turkey roasting now. i am so lucky to have a roof over my head and food-a-plenty each and every day. i never take it for granted but am reminded more than ever this time of year. so, in relation to my love of cooking and my thankful feeling i'd like to add two new goals to my ever-growing list...1) figure out a creative way to give back this holiday season (with the hopes of continuing it [i have a couple of ideas in mind and will write more when it/they come to fruition]); 2) include a recipe with every new post for the readers far and wide. the recipes will be based on what sounds good at the time, which is usually governed by the weather. for today's recipe the weather is sunny but very crisp with a gusty breeze...

orange-cranberry-walnut muffins (makes 1 dozen large muffins)

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons softened, unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar, less 1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups plain, low-fat yogurt
1 1/2 cups chopped cranberries, fresh or frozen
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
additional butter for muffin tins

topping:
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons sugar

1. adjust oven rack to lower middle position and heat to 375 degrees.
2. mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl and set aside.
3. beat butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. add orange zest to butter-sugar mixture. add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. beat in one-half of the dry ingredients. beat in one-third of yogurt. beat in remaining dry ingredients, in two batches, alternating with yogurt, until incorporated. fold cranberries and walnuts into finished batter.
4. butter 12-cup muffin tin. divide batter evenly among cups (about a large ice cream scoop per cup). bake until tops are golden brown, 25-30 minutes. set on wire rack, cool slightly.
5. melt butter for topping. combine sugar and cinnamon for topping in small bowl. using pastry brush, brush 1/2 tablespoon butter on muffin and dip muffin in cinnamon-sugar mixture. repeat.

six random things about me: a challenge in following rules

recently i was tagged by A @ Notre Vie Juteuse to play a little game. it seemed simple enough, and i was just thrilled that i was tagged to be a part of it. i read A's six random things and began thinking about mine. and then i re-read the rules and thought, oh shit. i don't know enough about blogging to be able to follow the rules. and then i thought, play the game anyway, the readers will soon understand.

first, the rules:
1. link to the person who tagged you.
2. post the rules on your blog.
3. write six random things about yourself.
4. tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. let each person know they've been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. let the tagger know when your entry is up.

six random things about me...

1. i have a very hard time following rules and listening to instructions. i have since i was a kid. now, i can do it when it comes to things like work, or i'd quickly be out of a job. but when it comes things like building the latest ikea bookshelf or playing a game, i'm more of a learn-as-you-go-by-experimentation-nonconforming type of person. for example, i am already off to a less-than-perfect, not-following-these-rules start as i don't know rule number 1 or rule number 4 of this game. did that stop me?

2. i would go barefoot all the time if i could...driving, teaching, running (or at least walking) errands. perhaps this is why i love yoga and all-things-beach so much. i really dislike my feet being encased in a shoe. too constricting.

3. i try to not repeat dinners i cook. this isn't to say i don't have favorites, i do. but going back to random thing number 1 about me, i am one to experiment. ironic, since with recipes there are set instructions. inevitably i change them.

4. i can never be warm enough. i love sleeping curled up in a ball, completely cocooned (head, too) in the covers. i love the hottest of showers. again, irony...in relation to random thing number 2...because no matter how cold or rainy it is outside, the other half questions, "where are your shoes?"

5. i wish i had a green thumb, as i love plants and flowers. i have a really bad habit of over-watering all house plants. certain death. evident as i scan the living room. that's what happens when the other half asks me to water. ahhh...see what happens when i try to listen to instructions?

6. i was raised by a father obsessed with cars. i am grateful for this, as i think i am fairly knowledgeable about car-related issues (like tire pressure, oil changes, mechanical issues, how to deal with mechanics, how to deal with salesman) at least in the stereotypical male perspective present when i have to deal with such issues. i feel empowered by my knowledge, silly as it may seem.

my entry is up. i am now going to figure out how to follow rules 1 and 4, or not.