Salmon, lentils and leeks

A delicious yet somewhat repentant dinner. Actually, it didn't feel chaste at all but it wasn't over the top either, so I feel good. Slow-roasted salmon, beluga lentils, leeks, dijon and some Gruyère (the lentil dish is similar to the one I've posted under sides). Like I said, delicious. Friends, summer is over. We made it. Everyone in our home is psyched about tomorrow, and really, that's the only way I'd want it. The kids love school, and who could ask for more. They are curious, bright, happy little boys, and I've come to realize that we are the type of family who just functions better on a schedule. Some folks would rue that, others avoid it like the plague, but for us, it's the plain, unvarnished truth, and for now, that's cool. Yay school!

Eating and Drinking, Then Spanx, Oh My!

Oh dear, I just got caught up in a Spanx during my maiden voyage of trying one on. Everything about the situation was horrid though I managed to laugh at points which shows just how terribly evolved I am.

How did a few pounds bring me from this:

to this?

Y'all remember in Steel Magnolias when Dolly Parton and Olympia Dukakis are watching a high-society lady dance at a wedding, and they were talking about the disgrace of her not wearing a girdle: "looks like two pigs fightin' under a blanket." It felt something a bit like that.

This really puts a crimp in my style for the love. I've got just three weeks, THREE WEEKS, until I must wear the dress in question (why did I ever believe a cream colored, fitted, silk bodice was a great idea?) to my gorgeous sister's wedding in Italy. I am so not in the mood to diet, but lightly diet I suppose I must. Drat. The lady at the store was certain I could succeed. In trying to spin this in some sort of positive fashion, I decree that the next few weeks I will focus on lighter fare options and avoid the dessert-every-night bandwagon I've been on. Boo!!

Arts Market inventory- start lickin' your lips!

I am getting super excited about the Circle Yoga Arts Market this coming Saturday, Sept 8. It starts at 1:00 and runs until 4:00. If you've not yet looked into it, click here for more information! In the meantime, I wanted to share with you a rough draft list of all I'll be selling on Saturday. Get excited, come hungry, and remember, canned goodies make great holiday gifts!!!

Jams

strawberry-rhubarb-lemon strawberry-rhubarb-orange strawberry-vanilla cherry-cardamom sour cherry plum-cherry lightly spiced plum plum-basil rhubarb-plum-star anise rhubarb apple butter Sicilian blood orange marmalade peach-apricot-almond watermelon preserves savory pluot- great with cheese white peach rosemary plum butter Methley plum peach pie jam Mexican plum- great with cheese

Pickles/chutney

gingered carrots garlic scapes squash dilly beans okra green tomatoes watermelon rinds apple chili chutney- great with cheese cauliflower

Desserts and dessert sauces

sour cherry-apricot-st.germain blueberry pie filling (all you need to do is pour in a crust or under a crumble topping and bake!) cherry cardamom sauce brandied peaches

Breads

coffee cake rhubarb scones spelt-cherry-cardamom scones pumpkin-plum muffins vegan walnut-date scones

Desserts

brownies- pecan brownies- walnut brownies- plain blackberry pies, small and large pecan-oatmeal pies, small and large vegan vanilla cupcakes coconut macaroons- almonds/cherries caramelized crispy rice bark- vegan Oh my Lemon! cakelets

Other

red beans and rice, by the bowlful collard and cheese handpies spicy bar nuts