Adding Spice to Life
As I savored the cantaloupe this morning I thought about how we had enhanced the flavor by grating fresh ginger on top. Fresh ginger that we keep at hand in the freezer. Neither of us can remember when or why began to do this but it improved our life in a minute but flavorful way. The “if only” people never quite get a hold of the idea that doing small things can enhance your life, like along with fresh fruit on Sunday mornings Michael (my husband) bakes up a batch of home made muffins. They are pretty much a surprise but the result ranges from good to fabulous. And yes, as eccentric as it may seem, I now pepper my bosc pear. Last year we put in a porch railing boxes where we grow fresh basil, rosemary, thyme and mint. Add that to your dishes and you have given yourself another reason to want to eat at home.
We needn’t be so literal, spice is more than about food. Spice can be trying out a new style of music. We discovered Buckwheat Zydeco when we stopped at a shop in Eureka Springs, AR adding some Cajan to our musical taste. Out of the blue my sister-in-law sent me Bachata music from her native Dominican which I now listen to make cleaning less drudgery and more of a dance. Then I am forever sampling music son, Colin, recommends like Tremor, Argentinean tech-no music or music I have no idea what it is called but its new and interesting. Right within earshot of our mountain bungalow are live Blues Ball or Red Dirt Music Fest in the Medicine Park. We’re there we listen, move to the music and add zest to our weekend.
I can spark up my day by just adding a pair of earrings and funky bracelet. Today it was my button bracelet I got as a birthday gift from sister Cathy. For friday night at the Tavern I wore my red polka high heeled sneakers. I might compliments or maybe just a smile but adds to others fun as well. In a very small way. But its about the small things.
Sharing the spice is also improves your life. Lately I have been experimenting with gelatin (not Jello). There is espresso gelatin with a hint of orange Cognac, cherry with a hint of cherry brandy. Both excellent and shared with friends and family. Michael added whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg to the espresso gelatin; it was the perfect compliment. Sharing for me can be a show and tell at the Tavern or scanned in image on Facebook. There is so little time and so much to share. Michael to a video of our lavender dancing in the breeze I added the french version of “Lavender Blue” and put it up on FB. One of my friends wrote back that it made her morning. Yes, that little touch of lavender made her day.
So my idea of changing your life, a little spice goes a long way.
This entry was posted on Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 at 8:04 pm and is filed under Food, Music, Philosophy. You can follow any comments to this post through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
