everything lovely & good

excerpts of a real life with fairytale moments

A Merry Little Christmas

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December 26, 2014

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It’s about 5:30 am the morning after Christmas and I’m sitting in the Daddy chair watching Hard Time on Nat Geo. There is a cat (Squirrel) on my left and the Christmas Tree is on and illuminating yesterday’s loot. The seedy carnage of a catnip toy is making me cringe spread thinly all over the floor; Charlotte, Priscilla and Bella continue to partake in the euphoric herb…further spreading it. My darling is sprawled on the couch, blankets kicked off and her arms crossed above her head. There is a fat cat crushing the back cushion over her knee. Atticus is restless at my feet, and Fossil is passed out right next to her mommy…I’m not sure who is snoring louder.

I’m wearing new p.j.’s that I got in my stocking yesterday, they say: “Be Amazing.” I’m warm, wrapped in a new fleece throw with a freshly warmed microwaveable “snuggy.” I’m feeling incredibly blessed and warm and happy. I can recognize that most especially because I have had a dark heart for much of the last three months. It’s nice to be back in the light…I hope to stay.

I’d like to believe that it was the magic of the season that helped to bring me back a little. From crossing off a bucket list item in cutting down our tree this year, to putting it up a week earlier than usual to taking a day off to further decorate and clean. It’s been a lovely flurry of holiday activity- and that’s just what’s been happening in the home. Work is busy for me and I’ve found it extremely hard to concentrate lately, add the holiday and I’ve been screwed! Ha!

Yesterday was a picture perfect holiday. It was just the two of us, again. We woke to the power going off around 7-7:30. We dozed sleepily and we’re pleased when the power came back on quickly. We completed our morning chores effortlessly, I made the fire she started breakfast and finished coffee – we took care of the animals and then dived into Christmas morning! It was so much fun! We did the pups & cats first, then our stockings and then our presents. I received so many fun & beautiful things, I had a blast opening. I also received my very first pair of Fluevog shoes:

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So exciting!

But really, all the best gifts are as I described in the beginning: my beloved, our animals and our home – so blessed! Now… I woke super early and am going to take advantage of my day off and head back to bed for nap number one. Haha! I hope you have enjoyed your holiday season, whatever you celebrate and however you choose to do that. I wish you peace and love these last few days of 2014.

xoxo

The Life & Death of Lucy

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December 11, 2014

There is a sacredness in tears. They are not a mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love. -Washington Irving.

Lucy was born just north of the intersection of Main & Lowell streets in Manchester, New Hampshire. If you know me you’ve probably heard me say this a thousand times: “When Lucy and I first met we fell in love with each other.”   It was November in 1998 and I lived in an efficiency apartment with my first girlfriend. There was a store around the corner that we would go for junk and a shop employee noted that they had some kittens for free. When we walked into their home we were astounded by the acrid smell and exorbitant amount of cats living in the home. I saw Lucy almost immediately, actually we probably actually saw each other at the same time. She was shadowing a gorgeous boy cat that looked her size and approximate age and let me tell you, he was truly a beautiful silver tabby cat but it was Lucy who claimed my heart. I just knew absolutely with my whole entire heart that we were meant for each other and we really were.
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A Thanksgiving Epiphany

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November 28, 2014

Yesterday, a few moments into dinner I took a deep breath, centered myself and told Jennifer that I was so grateful for a quiet holiday. In thirty-five years I have experienced my fair share of stressful 10+ family and friend holidays. I’ve cooked 12 birds, eaten at Denny’s for the holiday, spent it on the beach, been hunting and celebrated it in 8 different states. Yesterday was hands down the easiest, most-best dinner/holiday I’ve ever had. Just the two of us: I cooked the bird & the pies and she rocked all the fixings. So yummy.

In the days leading up to the holiday there were lots of folks who reacted like it was terrible that it was just going to be the two of us and then just as many who seemed a tad envious, it was interesting and I am curious of how you feel about it. Has your enjoyment of the holidays changed since you’ve become an adult? I am sure that not raising children or really having children growing up around me changes my perspective immensely.

Anyways, it was a lovely, lovely holiday because of and not in spite of a blustery snow storm.

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9 weeks

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November 5, 2014

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I’m still missing her with my (not-so) whole anymore heart; my darling, little Lucy. I know she’s still here, only in another form and I miss saying hi to her.

Just left of perfect

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October 14, 2014

Lover and I took a few days off from work and while she went back to work today, I used it to campaign for the role of housewife all the while failing miserably at laundry and rocking the kitchen/cleaning duties. Who cares if I ruined our super yummy wannabe down comforter, I made homemade corn chowder and super delicious no-bake pumpkin pie cookies. That’s it, I know what I should do.. I should stay home and blog how awesome life is as a lesbian domestic. Hey! I can dream right!? Hahahahahaha

While today didn’t turn out to be everything I imagined that it would be it was pretty close to lovely… and that corn chowder may have just gotten me out of the doghouse about our comforter. Here is the recipe in case you are interested in a yummy fall favourite – best made with fresh, local corn! Bonus: can be used as a get out of jail free card! 😉

INGREDIENTS
2 ounces turkey bacon (about 3 slices), small dice
1 medium yellow onion, small dice
3 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (thaw if frozen)
3 cups whole milk
1 pound russet potatoes (about 2 medium), peeled and medium dice
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
1/2 cup heavy cream

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place the bacon in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a small paper-towel-lined plate and set aside.

2. Add the onion to the bacon fat, season with salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, place 1 cup of the corn and 1 cup of the milk in a blender and blend until smooth; set aside.

3. Increase the heat to medium high, add the corn-milk purée, remaining 2 cups of corn and 2 cups of milk, potatoes, and measured salt and pepper. Stir to combine, then bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are just cooked through and the soup has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.

4. Add the cream, stir to combine, and return to a simmer. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve garnished with the reserved turkey bacon

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Signs, seasons and showy birds

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September 23, 2014

The most curious thing happened to me today whilst seeking a private moment to invite the new season into my heart & soul. I came upon the most brilliantly colored Rooster, yes, Rooster! What made the encounter odd was that he happened to be far away from home, straight chilling at the Quabbin overlook off of 202 in New Salem, MA.

It has been some time since I swung into the overlook to take in the scene and I certainly was not expecting to see this magnificent, bright bird as a welcoming party. I cooed and crooned to him softly trying to make sure he was okay – though I don’t know what I was looking for since I have never had chickens! He seemed hungry for company and happy to see me.

Worried for his well being I called our Animal Control officer who was already well aware of and attempting to fix the situation. It was tough leaving him but I do trust that he was well taken care of.

I am unsure of the symbolism of the Rooster but am absolutely, divinely tickled to have had this chance encounter. The Autumn equinox has arrived and today’s gift seemed to start the clock again on a heart that was only half beating. Many thanks to the universe for always providing exactly what I need when I need it.

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the best ever strawberry-rhubarb pie.

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June 2, 2013

I made my first pie (of the season) last week and it was, hands down, amazing.  I found the recipe off of Pinterest, it was submitted by Miss. Homemade. Anyone who is willing to put the words best or greatest in front of their recipe must feel very confident and so I had to check it out.  Not only was it very tasty but quite simple, too!  I was entertaining a friend while I baked (love laughter in the kitchen, always seems to make everything taste better) and she helped me with the design of the top crust, so now not only was the pie delicious but aesthetically pleasing as well.  I’ll stop chatting and get on with the recipe.
3 cups rhubarb, chopped
3 cups strawberries, sliced
1-1/3 cups white sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 TBS lemon juice
**recipe called for 1/4 table of cinnamon however my lover isn’t really a fan so I opted out.
Now I don’t know about you but I am not a fan of store bought pie crusts.  I rather prefer to make my own and my go-to recipe happens to come from the very old Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book. Now, after the pie crust is made you are going to combine the rhubarb, strawberries, white sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice in a large bowl.  Once combined pour the mixture into your pie plate.  A note about topping the pie, since this is a juicy and rich pie you’ll do better to cover the top with crust rather than use the lattice method.  I only mention this because when I went to bake my second pie I tried the lattice approach and it just wasn’t as good – the extra crust really does balance the flavours.  Now you are going to bake the pie for 20-25 minutes; or until the top crust is golden, then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake another 35 to 40 minutes or until the pie juices are bubbling and the crust is golden brown.  Let cool.
After I was done baking and when the pie had cooled a bit I traveled into Hadley to deliver the goods to my lover’s work.  Major gold star points both with the lady and her employees!  Lover brought me the very last piece home and I enjoyed it for breakfast the next morning, baker’s delight, for sure.

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It was a pretty good year…

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January 1, 2013

        I’m not so sure why I find it necessary to write and blog my year-in-review but after beginning the tradition last year, when I was searching my memory banks very hard for anything precious and good that had happened I realized just how gratifying this small cognitive act can be.   Now that I am over thirty the years really do seem to be just flying right by.  This coming year in February, I will be thirty-four years old; that is the same age my lover was when she met me six and a half years ago.  It is crazy amazing to see how much I have grown and interesting to see what kind of woman I am today, these years that fly by so quickly can shape us, just as the river waters shape the land. Continue reading

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