I’ve had enough of cooking for a while (don’t ask). Don’t worry, it’s only temporary.
My frustration levels are off the charts (don’t ask). I hope it’s temporary.
So, what does this tired and frustrated girl do? Well, I like to watch.
photo: northernsunblinds.co.uk
It’s been hot. Really hot. And, when it’s hot, my mind wanders. I start to think about things other than food.
Heat. Skin. Chemistry. Unshakeable good memories. History. Summer has a way of doing that to me.
Photo: Sodahead.com
Just a quickie today to share some love.
For anyone within a reasonable drive of Raleigh, NC, I hope to hell you’ve visited the state farmer’s market. I’d forgotten what a treat it is, what really neat people are there, and well, let’s not forget, it’s where I learned about Climax.
I assume we have an understanding. You all know that I have what could be described as a tomato fetish. I don’t like to go more than a couple of days – and I mean only two – without ingesting something tomato-y. So, Summertime in the South means absolute breathless anticipation of those juicy, sun-warmed ripe, ugly beasts that actually taste like a tomato, instead of those strange, flavorless, uniform globes in the grocery store the other 9 months of the year.
The perfect tomato is lumpy, imperfect, warm, eaten just sliced. Sometimes I will enjoy a purist tomato-sandwich, but I prefer my Summer, vine-ripened homely beauties warm, sliced, and, if not plain on their own, coupled with some basil and aged-balsamic. That is perfection for me. I do not want my tomatoes jazzed up. Keep it simple.
So, imagine my delight and sheer giddiness when I learned of a dinner with tomatoes at every course. What other heaven is there?
Let’s talk about Chemistry.
The Periodic Table of Elements was not my favorite thing in the 10th grade. It was a necessary evil. My chemistry teacher had the requisite wire-rimmed glasses, and wore the requisite plaid, short-sleeved button downs (why, guys, why?!). And, when we would have much prefered to focus on biology rather than chemistry, we had to memorize this:
You remember that, right? I’m sure you do. So, why, then, is chemistry so elusive? Do you remember the element with the hottest boiling point? Tunsgsten? Uranium? I don’t remember. I don’t care , actually, because, these days that ‘s not the sort of chemistry I’m interested in. And, since you people pay more attention when I talk about dating or “heat”, read on.
