A Food Slut and Politics

Bart, responsible for my graphic/web design and harassing me as needed, recently called me a food slut and he's right - offer me some yummy tid-bit or the chance to try a new wine and I'm yours, at least for as long as the glass or meal lasts.

It doesn't have to be haute cuisine, just really good. I'm as happy with a plate of beans and rice smothered in spicy green chili at my favorite dive in Denver as I am with Jeff's crab cakes at the Silver Grille.

Food is life, so it might as well be damn good... the better you eat, the better your life. I find so much pleasure in cooking and sharing delicious meals with friends, it does improve my quality of life.

I want my food tasty and local. Eating local and in season is getting a lot of press these days for good reason. I will spare you my produce crate (soap box), except to say I've been eating mostly from local farmers for the past 5 years and I love it. Fresh tomatoes in January... haven't had one in years, but my freezer is stocked with bags of Bill's tomatoes waiting for soups or sauce. Bill's basil is also in little jars of frozen pesto waiting to brighten the same soups or sauce, and Annette's berries are right there too for oatmeal, pancakes or a crisp. In my garage are a few squash and a box of onions and shallots from the last days of the farmers market. Eating local is easy most of the year, but takes a bit of preparation for winter... so worth it knowing the fruits of my friends labor are still nourishing me on a gray winter evening.

This variety of food politics has recently been given a name, locavore - eating only what's grown within a 100 mile radius. Does this mean all locavores are food sluts? Probably not, but I bet there aren't many who would turn down a bite of local cheese and a chance to talk about food.

A Motley Crew

I just returned from a quick getaway to the Coast with my friend Kate, her two dogs and mine. Oregonians go to the beach anytime of year, but winter offers a unique experience - you could wind up storm watching or stroll the sand without a soul in sight. We lucked out with crisp weather, blue skies and empty beaches.

We walked for miles while the dogs played along the shore, sniffing logs and anything the tide washed up. Then our motley crew crashed early in the evening... there's nothing better than seeing a pack of dogs curled up after a long day on the beach. The snoozing fur balls gave us a chance to drink wine, eat fresh crab and read in front of the fire.

There was also time for a trip to my favorite wine shop, Nye Beach Gallery, where Wendy stocked us with some favorite Oregon Pinot Noirs and turned me onto a LAN Rioja - young, but with plenty of flavor and spice. Then to Panini for handmade pizza and the best Caesar salad ever - whole leaves of romaine stacked log-cabin style, drizzled with a garlicy dressing and topped with homemade croutons.

Sometimes the simplest trips are the best... happy paw prints in the sand, good food, yummy wine and a pal to enjoy it all with.

Wherever you are, it is your own friends who make your world - William James

Chainsaws, Chicks and Change

So... it seems I've forgotten how to blog, or more specifically to blog. As the saying goes, life happens when you're making other plans, and mine took a little turn many months back... Tom chose to pursue his dreams elsewhere and has moved on. Of course, I wish him the best. Updates to the website coming soon. Now, on with the pleasures of life at Havenhill.

One of the best things about living in the country is embracing your inner tom boy - she really knows how to have a good time. Sure, my friends in the city have chic purses, a plethora of places to dine, and really cute shoes; but I've got Carhardts (Anne, they're pants not shoes), Romeos (these are shoes), a beat up farm truck and a chainsaw. Knowing how to run a chainsaw, fix my truck and split fire wood are my favorite "I can do anything" things. I like getting cleaned up and looking cute for a night out as much as the next girl, but knowing I'm a (cute) chick with a chainsaw... better than a new pair of shoes!

"To enjoy one's life, one must touch most of it lightly" - Voltaire (thanks Nancy!)