Chapter Three, Section Five

My Favorite:

• Color: bright, vibrant red
  
• Book: My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
  
• Flower: tulips, any color
  
• Winnie-the-Pooh character: Rabbit, the quintessential irrational perfectionist
  
• Food: although it varies quite often, I am going through an Indian craze now
  
• Composer: JS Bach
  
• Piece of equipment in the kitchen: my brand-new red Kitchenaid mixer
  
• Room in my house: the backyard--it's a room!
  
• Final Fantasy game: IX; great visuals, great soundtrack, great story; but I'm playing X-2 to death at the moment
  
• Piece of equipment at the gym: ski machine
  
• Confection: Belgian chocolates
  
• Gemstone: ruby
  
• Piece of equipment in the office: stapler
  

Yesterday was a beautiful day outside (as is today) so when I got home from work I set about making a fancy tea for us to eat. I set up our little table and chairs outside next to the pond and dressed it and put a vase of flowers on it. Then I made a tray of sandwiches: egg salad and salmon horseradish; a cheese and cracker plate with grapes; a coffeecake; and of course a big pot of tea. Partner was very surprised when he got home, and I felt very proud of myself for getting it all done.

After our tea, we dug over one of our flowerbeds and planted two kinds of flowers. We've had three very nice sunny days in a row, and I'm taking advantage of it as much as possible. Maybe next month we'll be eating outside every night, admiring our flowerbeds.

Chapter Three, Section Four

I love my husband very much. I have known him now for three years and we have been married for nine months. I knew from the first time I chatted with him that I would marry him. I love him because:

he is respectful
he is generous
he has learned from his experiences
he is thoughtful
he has a unique sense of humor
he makes me feel happy
he is dependable
he is intelligent
he puts up with all the annoying things I do

The list could go on but I have to say, I think I've just described the ideal man! I'm glad I found him before someone else snapped him up. We have settled into marriage with not too many problems. He's not very confrontational, and I am just learning to confront, so we don't have too many loud disagreements. I just have to put up with his dress sense(!).

The best thing about him is that he accepts me as I am. He doesn't try and conform me to his expectations.

Chapter Three, Section Three

Tonight I made a cottage pie for dinner. I found a terrific recipe using lots of root vegetables. I'm planning on using it as a dinner for my inlaws. I also made some bread a little earlier. We've been making our own bread for a month or two now. I make it on Wednesdays and Partner makes it on Saturdays.

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Cottage Pie

1 lb potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 lb celeriac, peeled and chopped
1 leek, cleaned and sliced
2 parsnips, peeled and diced
½ onion (or 2 shallots) diced
1 lb ground beef
1 14 oz can chopped tomatoes
3 T fresh herbs (sage, oregano, etc) chopped
Salt & pepper to taste

1. Boil the potatoes and celeriac together until very soft. Drain, mash, add salt to taste.
   
2. Heat a little oil in a large frying pan or wok and sweat the leek, parsnips, and onion for about five minutes.
   
3. Add the beef to vegetables and brown.
   
4. Add the tomatoes and herbs and let simmer for about five minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
   
5. Spoon beef mixture into an ovenproof dish. Spread potato mixture evenly over it.
   
6. Bake at 350F/180C/Gas mark 4 for 30-35 minutes. Serve hot.

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Buttermilk Honey Bread

1 T active dry yeast
¾ c warm water
1 ts sugar
2 T melted butter
3 T honey
12 oz buttermilk
6 c bread flour
1 T salt

1. Stir yeast, sugar, and water in a small bowl. Let bloom for ten minutes.
   
2. In a large bowl mix yeast, butter, honey, and buttermilk.
   
3. Add salt and 2 c of the flour and mix well.
   
4. Add remaining flour gradually until a shaggy dough is formed.
   
5. Knead for five minutes.
   
6. Turn into an oiled bowl and let ferment for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until doubled. Deflate and form into two loaves.
   
7. Proof 30-45 minutes, or till doubled.
   
8. Bake at 350F/180C/Gas mark 4 for 35-45 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.