Winter Solstice?

I am sipping a cup of Bigelow Lemon Lift tea enjoying the music of George Winston - Winter Solstice. Classical music I haven't listened to in years. It is classified "holiday" music, but somehow feels appropriate as I try to lift my spirits this rainy, raw day in mid-February. Today there is no golf, bike riding, beach walking, or outdoor activity of any kind. It is a day to sit cozily by the fire with a cup of tea and enjoy catching up on indoor activities that I usually feel guilty doing when the sun is shining. I know officially Winter Solstice was two months ago, but it feels more like mid-winter now than it did in December. The sun doesn't rise until after 7 a.m. and there have been more than usual gray and dreary days (not what we are used to in the Sunshine State) that certainly don't seem longer on the other end yet. But, surprisingly there are a few early signs of spring, some trees have red buds I see popping on a rare sunny day walking and my pretty yellow and blue pansies are still in bloom. So I embrace today as I sip my tea and pine for sunnier, warmer days that I hope are just around the corner.

2010 Fight for Air Climb Jax

It is hard to meet a person these days whose life hasn't been touched by cancer in some way. Cancer reared its ugly head in my family about 35 years ago. For all the many types of cancer out there, there are foundations, associations, and fund raisers to help beat those cancers. Last fall I went to a Light the Night Lung Cancer event at the Prudential Building in Boston. This event recognized and honored the many lives that have been affected by this silent killer and at 9 pm sharp we lit candles and the lights of the top floors of the Pru were switched on. I didn't know much about lung cancer so this event was informative, inspiring, and beautiful.

About two months ago, I came across a newspaper article promoting a Fight for Air Climb to support lung cancer research. Further investigation revealed that this is a national event in cities across the country on the same day. In Jacksonville it was the second annual. The climb takes place at the tallest building in Jax, the Bank of America at 42 stories. So I signed up, went to several training sessions, my quads and calves took a beating, but it was good preparation. The climb was last Saturday, Feb. 6. Here are my pics:

The Building

Have chip will climb.

All finished, ready for a massage.

The view from the top. Awesome.

There were 299 climbers in all raising over $120,000 (each climber had to raise a minimum of $100). The fastest climb was 4:49 (zowie), slowest 42:21 (there were also 2 climbers at around 1:30:23). Total women climbers numbered 178. I came in 9th of 32 in my age group, 55th of all women climbers. lst in my age group climbed in 8:24, my time was 10:17.

Two friends climbed the Mellon Building in Boston, 84 flights of stairs. In NYC they climb the Empire State Building, maybe next year.

Correction

1. 28* at 8:30 a.m.

How Cold Is It?

So cold.....

1. 38* at 8:30 am this morning.

2. 3 to 4 hour frost delays on the golf course for almost a week (who is playing golf?).

3. I think I might need a new pool pump since the freeze protector has been running non-stop for over a week.

4. Ice on the Intra-coastal. Really?

5. Coldest temps in northeast Florida since 1977.

Let's put it in prospective though, look at this category 5 snow storm they are dealing with in Michigan. Yikes!

Scattered Once Again

Christmas 2009 - a fun time spent together just the five family members. Christmas eve parties, Midnight mass, Christmas music, a leisurely opening of gifts while sipping champagne, laughter, ham, beets, poppyseed and Christmas cookies, Josh Early candy, too much food, a walk on the beach, conversation, all the trappings of a Florida Christmas.

Colleen's gingerbread fort.

Sleepy girls anxious to open gifts!

New Year 2010 - I am not usually a lover of new year's eve parties, but with Jim in PVB for just a short time, we hosted a small dinner party to ring in 2010.

Don't look too close, we have our mouths full of cookies! Same group that visited MVY this fall.

Colleen and Andra had their own party to attend!

In his efforts to have a paperless house, Jim introduced me to a new iPhone app called Toodledo. A paperless way to prioritize tasks. I was skeptical, but actually find it useful. I remember going through some of my mother's papers after she passed away and finding file cards that she had saved from my father with his personal goals on them. I have put together my own "must-do" list for the new year. Mostly events and places I would like to experience in north Florida while I still have a chance, but also some ways to effect positive change in my small corner of the world.

Emily is once again back in Boston, Melissa is building igloos in Minnesota where it is -4*, Colleen heads back to VU for rush, and Jim is back on the job in MN. I can be found on the links in PVB.

Scattered once again.

New Fav Recipe

While I was in Boston I faithfully read the Globe every day. Surprisingly, I got some really delicious recipes from the daily magazine. I made one of my favorites last night and wanted to share it -- a classic Caesar salad with a twist, kale instead of romaine and a non-egg based dressing. I know, this might sound dubious, but I highly recommend giving it a try, you won't be disappointed. The only slight alternation being I am not a fan of anchovy so dropped that ingredient from the recipe.

Kale Caesar

(Sheryl Julian/Globe Staff)

November 11, 2009

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You might be skeptical about making a salad with raw, somewhat bitter, leafy greens. I was when a friend suggested it. Tuscan kale, also known as lacinato or dinosaur “dino’’ kale, has thin, flat, deep-green, bubble-textured leaves. It’s most flavorful and tender after the first frost, and it’s often sauteed or stirred into soups. Following my friend’s lead, I tossed the raw greens, cut into ribbons, with an eggless Caesar dressing made with lemon juice, mashed anchovies, garlic, Parmesan, and a stream of olive oil. We topped the kale with large croutons sauteed in olive oil until crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle. Unlike most leafy greens, raw kale benefits from wilting slightly in the dressing, which tenderizes it. The salad is low-maintenance and healthy. This was love at first bite.

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5	anchovy fillets, rinsed, patted dry, and chopped or1/2 tablespoon anchovy paste
2	cloves garlic, smashed
1	tablespoon lemon juice
1	tablespoon red wine vinegar
3/4	cup olive oil
1	teaspoon black pepper
1/3	cup grated Parmesan
3	cups diced bread
	Salt, to taste
1	pound (about 2 bunches) Tuscan, lacinato, or dinosaur kale, stemmed and sliced into 1/4-inch ribbons

1. In a food processor or blender, blend the anchovies and 1 clove of the garlic. Add the lemon juice and vinegar. With the motor running, add 1/2 cup of the oil in a thin steady stream. Add pepper and Parmesan.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil . Add the remaining 1 clove garlic and the bread cubes. Cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until crisp and golden. Discard the garlic and transfer the croutons to a bowl. Toss with salt.

3. Five to 10 minutes before serving, in a salad bowl, combine the kale and enough dressing to coat it. Add the croutons. Jill Santopietro

© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.

Happy eating!!

Re Acclimating

I cannot lie, it was hard arriving back in PVB - alone, without children or Jim, and the weather was dreary and rainy. It hit me hard.... but a few days in and I am feeling better. Reconnecting with friends, sharing good food and wine, and golf have eased the transition. There is much to be done after being gone for six months, not least of which is re acclimating to the weather! To be sure it was a very mild fall in New England. The coldest day I experienced was the day I departed on my trip back to Florida. But I forgot how sticky the humidity makes the air and the temp tomorrow is expected to reach 80* before the cold front from the west arrives Thursday morning.

I spent several hours over several days getting the 10 foot Christmas tree up and lit. Anyone who has a pre-lit tree understands the frustration of getting all the twinkly little lights to work. It is a labor of Christmas love. I persevered, they are all lit - let the ornamentation begin! I look forward to decorating, baking, and spending the holidays with the fam.