Ritual Reset.

Confession:  Sometimes on Sunday I am so excited for my day that I wake early, go downstairs to grab my New York Times, make a french press and get back to bed.  This day will forever be my favorite as it represents a day of recharge, relaxing and a reset for the week ahead.  Today, to accompany my reading for the ritual reset was La Columbe Single Origin Ethiopian Press (from DC's newest roaster), gluten-free Buckwheat Flax Pancakes (adorn with sour cherries + honey) and the haunting sounds of Lucinda Williams.

From the fridge... 

Buckwheat Flax Pancakes
1 cup buckwheat flour

1 cup almond milk

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon honey 

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cook in skillet for 2 minutes on each side over melted butter. Serve with sour cherries and honey while sipping really good (something like) local coffee. 

From the paper ... 

Does a More Equal Marriage Mean Less Sex?

Interesting article on gender roles, sex and it's effects on marriage.  

Also, another realization on why synthetic hormones are scary... "One study even suggested that when “a woman chooses her partner while she is on the pill and then comes off it to have a child, her hormone-driven preferences change, and she may find she is married to the wrong kind of man.”

From the speakers... 

It's no secret how much I love this woman and I am a creature of habit--- truth be told, she plays most Sundays.

Today, I cooked and read to her second album.  Apparently it took 8 years to complete... well worth the wait in my opinion.  "Her voice contains a heartache comparable to Emmylou Harris, but she has a darker side and a toughness that allows her to live inside the blues or rock with abandon. In addition to writing strong melodies, Williams is an amazing songwriter with a knack for writing a lyric that acknowledges the complicated nature of relationships while cutting right to the heart of the matter."  All time favorite track-- Blue.  

Sometimes You Need Oprah to Inspire Creation

It wasn't until she mentioned them that I pondered a recipe. I was not inspired to create a summer dessert until I saw them on glossy paper. It wasn't until Oprah featured one of my favorite local businesses and their ice cream sandwiches that I had to make them. These ice cream sandwiches, found just a block away were merchandise up until that point, as soon as O liked them they were my next conquest.

I was not about to make a waffle cookie to compete with them or the beet ice cream that required roasting before chilling, I just wanted to make something that could be wrapped up individually and could impress my Women's Group. It is often the branding as well as the taste that gets me creating.

Step one: Create the Ice Cream (in my case with a kitchen aid mixer)

Bourbon Ginger Ice Cream
1 1/4 cup heavy cream whipped
1 1/4 cup cream
9 ounces confectioners sugar
3 tablespoons minced ginger
1/2 tablespoon of shaved vanilla bean
1 table spoon bourbon

Beat cream until fluffy with sugar. Add other ingredients. Freeze in
metal bowl.

Step 2: Add your favorite cookie recipe (in my case Oatmeal Raisin)

Oatmeal Cookies
1/2 cup (1 stick or 4 ounces) butter, softened
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt (I often use a half teaspoon, but I like more salt in my baked goods)
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Cool cookies and add frozen Ice Cream. Wrap individually and freeze until serving.

Step 4: Find a ribbon, camera, PR firm and Oprah's number!