Lady apples with roast pork loin, the repeatedly shocking ease of errands with just one child

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Y'all, I don't know why I still find this shocking, but doing errands with one of your children rather than both (or more if you've got 'em) is just soooooo much easier. O and I spent the morning in Georgetown and had such a ball- walked along the canal, ate a biscotti, got coffee, went to Dumbarton Oaks and so forth. He's one of those mischievous little guys who thinks it's funny to run down M St (equivalent: Michigan Ave, Lexington Ave, Ben Franklin Parkway, the 405, etc) to "trick" you which is not remotely funny to me but so much more manageable when there is not also an older brother -who, bless his heart, is just not as coordinated which is, thus, always kinda dicey in busy areas- to look after as well. One constant commentator is definitely easier on the ears than two, especially since both now assert "you interrupted me" as soon as the other one starts telling a story. Good lord. Anyway, I'll take these moments and enjoy them even though I crashed right after O at naptime. How cute are these little Lady apples?! I am going to roast them whole with a stuffed pork loin later this week (I think). I'm not a real pork-lovin' gal but a nice stuffed loin can be lovely sometimes- can't you see a stuffing of nuts, dried fruit and maybe a little blue cheese? Sounds so autumnal and nice.

For the first time since before Jack was born that the boys haven't been with grandparents, T and I are going out two nights in a row this weekend (I think this is, pitifully enough, quite literally true). How will we manage?! Send me your strong, your energetic, your youthful vibes, kind readers. ;) Anyway, I'm bringing food to both so am off to brainstorm ideas...

Margin Call, salmon burgers, Herman Cain

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Don't y'all think Herman Cain's days are numbered? I mean really. Did you see his response on one of the news shows recently when asked if he'd sexually harassed women? Something to the effect of, "Not while I was head of the restaurant association." Well, how lucky for those women. Good lord, who is taking this man seriously anymore? And if this is how little the Right likes Romney, well he must have a thick skin and damn serious desire to win this thing to stay out there getting trumped by idiots left and right. When I'm not roiling with disgust about the complete lack of serious political discussion and action on true and real behalf of the American people, I'm mortified by how far we've fallen as real beacons of a democratic nation in which those at the bottom had a voice and real hope for upward mobility. Sure, some will still become wealthy, succeed despite odds, but most who struggle will continue to struggle for the foreseeable future as the Repubs slash and burn their way through social safety nets and the Dems don't do too terribly much to stop them. And don't even get me started on the ways in which we're pathetic non-leaders on dealing with climate change. On another note, Margin Call was terrific. It's in theaters now but we ordered on Video On Demand for $8 last night- nice. The cast was really great- Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Paul Bettany, Zachary Quinto- and it was a quick-paced, very entertaining film about Wall St.

In past posts, I've mentioned the ease of making salmon burgers, and it's true- they are a snap. But I actually will be making them today and wanted to give you a quick head's up about the recipe in case you head to the market today. (At our local Whole Foods, sockeye salmon is on sale for $9.99/pound.) For my favorite combo of flavors, you'll also need spinach (fresh or frozen) and crumbled feta. I have a meat grinder through which I pass the salmon but you can also finely chop yours with a chef's knife. In a large mixing bowl, put the ground/chopped salmon, mix in as much spinach (if fresh, steam it in the micro, skillet, or steamer insert in a pot; if frozen, thaw; squeeze dry and coarsely chop) as you like (at least 1/2 c), stir in at least 1/4 c crumbled feta, season with salt and pepper and form into burgers. Freeze or grill!