Louis Armstrong, What a Wonderful World 
Oscar once said, “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance” and I agree! I choose not to think of this quote in terms of “self-abuse” but rather in taking the time to seek pleasure in the everyday and romancing one’s spirit. Today was a very busy day but I was able to finish all my chores by 4 in the afternoon. Today was also the kind of day that I absolutely adore. Rainy, windy, stormy, and mildly cool. Very dramatic. I decided to take a stroll along West Cliff Drive, my local promenade along the ocean, and envelop myself in the energy of the day. I was not disappointed by the tempestuous sea and, for a moment, I felt like Catherine walking along the moors in Wuthering Heights. The air was so invigorating and the moment so romantic… Though I had no one to share it with, the romance of the moment brightened my eyes, put color on my cheeks, and a smile on my face. The beauty of the day made me feel beautiful and energized as only the best of lovers can.
After leaving the ocean, I continued my date with myself at the local bookstore and found some great used cookbooks. Finally ending at my cozy little house where I made vin chaud and was joined by Creole chocolate hazelnuts and Pablo Neruda. An excellent date.
Vin Chaud
- One bottle of a good red table wine
- 1/2 an orange, cut into sections, peel and all
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brandy
- a splash of vanilla
- 3 cloves
- Place all ingredients in a saucepan.
- Heat gently, bring to a simmer.
- Simmer for 3 minutes.
- Turn heat off, cover, and let steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove orange and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
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A Special Day!
As you know, I’m fairly well planted each day at the apothecary, so I have to tell you that reading this lovely blog provided me with a much needed (vicarious) walk along the ocean’s edge… Thank you so much!
March 3rd is the birth day of my eldest daughter, Leahla Pearl–She turned 24 this year! On this day, I arose at 6:30 in search of a few missing ingredients necessary to make my ’special poppy seed cake’ …Leahla’s favorite. Did you know Shopper’s opens that early? Well they do, and they had just what I needed–Thank you Shopper’s Corner!!
Kiss-Kiss,
Deborah
“One does not see anything until one sees its beauty.”
~Oscar Wilde