Brave

One thing that scares me. Everyday. That's a tall order, Eleanor. But today, I felt up to the challenge.

At lunchtime I went to my first yoga class at the gym, alone. A small step for some, a much bigger deal for me. This morning I donned what I felt was a cute, yoga-friendly outfit (when approaching an intimidating activity, I find it helps if I know I'll at least look cute while making a fool of myself). I fueled myself with a comforting slice of yesterday's banana bread. I walked across the street to the gym and into the studio. And then I stood there, looked around, and smiled shyly until a nice older man picked up on the fact that I was new and had no idea what to do, where to go, or what all those props were for.

I think I'll go back on Thursday and give it another go. I felt silly. I felt self-conscious. But now I feel nice and limber and relaxed, and proud of myself for being brave.

Miscellany Monday

(1) autumn stirrings

Yesterday the hubby and I visited Morton Arboretum to get our nature fix with some hiking. While there we browsed the gift shop, which was bursting with new fall decor items. I get giddy just thinking about the ever increasing proximity of autumn. At present I am also quite pleased with our new dining room table, acquired via Craigslist, which came with a matching Lazy Susan. The moment I spied a round precision-cut leaf place mat yesterday, I new they would be perfect companions. It went on the table the minute we got home. Never mind that it's still August, and that tomorrow the temps in Chicagoland will return to the 90s (see below). In this house, autumn is stirring.

(2) peak day alert

Dear ComEd,
Thank you for notifying me, once again, that tomorrow's low 90s temps will result in peak demand for electricity. I know you mean well, but rather than inspire me to greater energy conservation, your suggestion that I "set my thermostat to 78 degrees" inspires angst instead. I would love to have a thermostat. I would be delighted if it was 78 degrees in my apartment. Alas, I do not have a thermostat. I have a couple of circa-1982 wall-mounted air conditioning units that guzzle power and run constantly on the highest setting, which produces a modest output of moderately cool air that reduces the humidity tolerably but rarely gets it below 82 in here, which my landlord describes as "working great." So, thanks anyway for the notification.
Sincerely,
Sweating Suz

(3) banana bread

Sometimes I'll buy a bigger-than-necessary-for-two-people bunch of bananas, simply because I know the really ripe remnant will give me an excuse to make banana bread. And so, early this morning, I bustled around my kitchen and produced this delicious loaf of chocolate chip banana bread. Is it breakfast? Or is it dessert? Today: both. (My apologies for being too lazy to take it out of the bag for a pic. I should be starting dinner right now.)

Sam's Elvis Face

My niece Samantha is now two months old. Baby faces are home to a multitude of expressions. During our visit this weekend, I captured this one. My SIL tells me it makes a regular appearance on Sam's little mug. I think it's adorable, don't you?

A Year of Deer, Episode 19: Gorgonzola & Dried Cranberry Slow-Cooker Meatloaf

After an unintentional hiatus from the realm of venison cookery, I am back with a new episode! Going into the preparation of this meal, I was both excited and skeptical. I've only made and/or eaten meatloaf a handful of times, but I'm familiar enough with the dish to know that cheese and fruit in meatloaf is not normal. However, when I found the recipe, something about the combination of Gorgonzola and dried cranberries and meat really appealed to me. It sounded fancy; gourmet even. I also wasn't so sure about making meatloaf in a loaf pan, in my crock pot (I've always made it as a free-form lump/loaf in the oven). However, Stephanie told me I could do it, and she has yet to steer me wrong. I made some modifications to her original recipe to accommodate what I had on hand, and here's what I came up with:

Gorgonzola & Dried Cranberry Slow-Cooker Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1 lb ground venison (you could use lean ground beef or turkey instead)
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 Tb dried minced onion
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1 Tb chopped fresh basil
1 large egg
cooking spray

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine meat, salt, pepper, onion, bread crumbs, cranberries, cheese, basil, and egg. Mash it all together with your hands until the ingredients are well incorporated into the meat. Spray an 8x4 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Press the meat mixture into the pan, and place the pan into the stoneware of your 6-qt oval crockpot. (According to Stephanie, if you have a 3.5 or 4 qt round crockpot, you can plop the meat in a large round blob directly into the stoneware that's been coated with cooking spray.) Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, or on low for 7-8 hours. The meatloaf is done when it is cooked through and has browned on top and darkened along the edges. Lift the meatloaf out of the crockpot and let stand on a cutting board for 15 minutes before cutting.

 

 

The Verdict: This is like no meatloaf I've ever had; it's so much better! The gorgonzola gives it a little tang, while the cranberries add a little sweetness. I served it with a salad of baby greens, diced apple, grapes, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and gorgonzola, tossed with a cinnamon-pear balsamic vinaigrette, a side of wild rice, and some rosemary bread. (In retrospect, aside from the salad it was a rather monochromatic plate. Oh well, it tasted good!) It's been a while since I've been this excited about a meal I've prepared. For dessert I made Stephanie's Blueberry Buckle recipe in my 2-qt mini slow cooker - served a la mode, of course. A perfect ending to a super easy and yummy meal.