This is my "I love you camera" post . . .

To make no understatement, I looove my camera! Having a real camera that is meant to take quality pictures has in many ways changed my life. I am not over embellishing the difference between a top notch camera and a standard snap-shot-mobile. It's like diner syrup v.s. maple syrup. Don't put them in the same tool box because they are working at totally different sites. Point being, its worth every bit that you can squeeze out to get one. 

I always thought I would like to take pictures, and I'd try, but the outcome discouraged me due to the fact that the pictures were never very great. After my dad more than generously gave me my "baby" for christmas a little over a year ago, I am compelled and propelled to take pictures on and on until the break of dawn baby . . . Just being silly . . . I am working on a project where less then fabulous photos won't due and with this camera I find I can enter a zone where I start to take pictures that I actually like. Now that feels as satisfying as making a perfect batch of biscuits (for the cooks out there), or when you run two fabrics under the foot of your sewing machine, and when you open them out, the colors tightly stitched together make your heart melt (that is for those who sew). 

All in all, I am just stating to the general world out there that I love my camera and  you can't know the difference until you try it. 

On a more serious note, the whole Japan deal is heavy as heavy can be. Keeping good thoughts in their direction. My heart is so full for them . . .

Anyway, my best to all ~ Marica

Little Bits of Around Here . . .

Picked up this book yesterday . . . I wanted some light hearted reading. Last book I was getting through contained too much harsh reality. I like to be put in my place, realizing my fortune in having a roof, dinner, water for heaven sakes . . . the things I don't count when I roll out of bed and pull my jeans on. But sometimes it's mellow enjoyment that needs to be attained.

Was given a 1992 copy of Architectural Digest featuring the ultimate David Bowie at his home in a place where, as the article stated, "the rich go to be rich together . . ."

This part of his house was truly awesome though . . . imported from Indonesia none the  less, but hey Bowie deserves the best, right? 

Still holding my breath . . . while breathing of course . . . hoping, not counting, on a plan that will fill my days with work, but such a fun sort of project . . . elbow grease anyone?

Ending the day with yet another tart . . . don't worry I'll stop posting tarts soon . . . it's just that I had extra crust in the freezer begging to be used . . .

                                          Hope all is well ~Marica

Yesterday . . . tart . . . and a few keys to lentil soup . . .

I started this post yesterday and didn't quite make it over the hump of finishing it . . .

Yesterday:

It's funny, I am actually feeling stumped as what to write today. Usually I like to indulge myself in a short, visually satisfying blip . . . a squeak of a moment . . . a recipe I was happy with. In reference to today though, I feel like my life has been moving so fast, the dust is settling just a bit, yet I haven't quite settled with it. I was excited, I am excited, but I'm not engaged with myself. I feel off track by a fifth of a centimeter. I guess that's enough to make the wheels squeak. 

                                                                     MARICA  NATALI  THOMPSON  2008

On the simple pleasures side, I found some keys factors in making a delicious lentil soup:

A dash of dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, and a squeeze of lemon juice . . .

the following photo is of my visit to Blueberry Lemon Tart Heaven . . .  This amazing tart was made by my mother in law. Superb, perfect, and simply so delicious. 

Hope all is well out in the world all over everywhere ~ Marica

This lovely Sunday before the clock struck noon . . .

Early morning at the piano . . .

And then breakfast . . .

Well enjoyed . . .

Out the window, hello Augustus . . . my dear doggy . . .

And then, I finally hemmed the bottom of this sweet dress my sister gave me  . . .

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

                                                                                     ~Marica

Good Saturday Morning . . .

Good morning all . . . I am still over coming the tiredness from being sick several weeks ago. Everyone I talk to has gone through the same thing . . . this darn thing lingers and lingers making everyday stuff more effort to complete. Lots has been happening around here . . . LOTS, but I don't want to jinks anything. Cross your fingers, kiss a flower, good things will come, cause now is the hour.The boots below have been one of my prize possessions since I was fifteen. I remember telling my mom, I want brown boots like docks but with no yellow stitching and I want them to have a rounded toe. Well the first store we went to had this pair . . . They were docks but with no yellow stitching and a rounded toe! A couple years after I got them I was living in a garden shed with my boyfriend and a girl actually came to that "room" and stole a few things. I couldn't find my boots for about a week after that.  I was so upset, they were my perfect boots ~ It was the only time in my life that I ever was ready to beat someone up. I told God, "If she stole those boots I am going to beat her up, and if she didn't I'll forgive and forget about the other stuff." I found the boots a couple days later and was entirely satisfied. The funny part is, I barely reach the height of 5' 2" and she was a fair amount bigger than that. Anyway, I don't bring up that story in total random, I recently put another perfect thought out there and found a good piece of what I am looking for. We'll see, as I said: cross your fingers, kiss a flower, good things will come, cause now is the hour. 

P.S. I apologize if this post is weird, I have been is a flurry of lack of sleep, so many things brewing, and not feeling well all at the same time. 

Pizza Pizza

Nothing beats homemade pizza . . . 

Not even from the best restaurant . . .

This is a recipe for a soft, tender crust. Eggs are the secret ingredient in softening the dough.

Pizza Crust:

Combine in a large bowl and let sit until the yeast foams:

2 cups warm water

2 packages active dry yeast (4 + 1/2 teaspoons)

1/4 cup sugar

Add and mix in an electric mixer until very elastic:

4 cups unbleached white flour

2 eggs

1/4 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

Add and continue to knead:

1 more cup flour 

Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubles, about an hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Divide dough into four equal pieces. Form into pizza circles. 

Place on an oiled cookie sheet (pizza stones are great, but follow their directions then).

Cover in sauce, cheese your ultimate dream of pizza . . .

Bake at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes, it will depend on thickness of crust.

                    ~Marica

Bread Pudding with Brandy Sauce . . .

Well at this point I think it is clear I enjoy cooking. There are times I get plain sick of it, as in anything one spends a lot of time doing, but if you asked me to choose one of my top favorite past times, cooking would be elbowing its way to the front of the line. My dear friend Robin brought me a bag of rolls last night and even went so far as to chop them into tidy little squares for me. She had far too many to use up herself, and so in a generous thought, which she always seems to have, she shared them with me. She said they were for bread pudding. Could I argue with a statement like that? Of course not. So I spent a little time mixing: 5 eggs and 2 cups milk, 3/4 cups sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla, 4 tablespoons melted butter, a pinch salt and orange zest to create what should be thought of as a very special treat. This got poured over the dry bread squares in an oiled pan and baked at 350 until golden. Unfortunately I didn't time it, but I roughly guess 45 minutes. The exciting part to me was concocting my first ever brandy sauce. Oooo . . . ooo, it does carry things to the next level. So, for the brandy sauce I mixed and then simmered until the sugar devolved:

2 tablespoons butter

3/4 cups sugar

1/4 cup brandy

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

zest from 1 orange

The next step is to spoon the sauce over a slice of bread pudding and indulge to the extent that you might feel you have crossed the line of safe indulgence into the realm of all out precariousness. 

To the fellow eaters and cookers and indulgers out there ~ Marica