Hang Me Up To Dry

Hung up (on you)

Unhung at second glance

to reminisce

over a dark past.

A path not to move along

(although the road is clear)

The stones themselves are shaking

left begging as I peer

Among the swallowed veterans

who thought they knew better than before

A guilty distant memory

haunting a revival

with an irresistible taunt of lure…

Unsuited for the Suitable

Pressure to find something there;
Felt beneath the skin..
Muted with a desire to share;
Learned the hard way –
the “good girl” never wins..

Although you have your reasons
I’m a fool for thinking it…
What drastically changed in an instant
has been happening to me all my life.

This may be your best policy,
but it’s my source of sorrow;
Feelings once expressed –
gone tomorrow.

I will take the blame,
yet something is not right…
Unexpectedly expected –
Drained the smile from a face
never truly known in the first place.

(Roll up your sleeves, pretend like it didn’t happen)

Desire does not expire.
Nor is it a light switch.
You can have the heart I’m missing;
(I don’t want it back)

The Longest Day of the Year

Summer storms while sleeping
Ain’t life pretty?
Tender thighs
And soft eyes
As I wait for the words
“I’m ready”

Seems these days…
The sun light gets in the way;
Thoughts jumbled
Heads a mess
Is this a curse
Or a blessing?
Both? Yes.

Counting hours –
My, how fast time exceeds!
When you’re with the ones you love
That’s all you need…

Summer storms while sleeping
Ain’t life pretty?
Tender thighs
And soft eyes
As I wait for the words
“I’m ready”

May have hit a high note
(I’ve sure as hell been lower)
As the days pass over ~
Pondering seems shorter
Weeks turn to months,
(Spin around, the years)
I beg of anyone who hears this…
Keep love near.

Summer storms while sleeping
Ain’t life pretty?
Tender thighs
And soft eyes
As I wait for the words
“I’m ready”

Dancing in the Days of Early Summer Nights

“When I look back, the Garden is a dream to me. It was beautiful, surpassingly beautiful, enchantingly beautiful; and now it is lost, and I shall not see it any more. The Garden is lost, but I have found him, and am content.” – Mark Twain, Eve’s Diary: After the Fall

Dancing in the Days of Early Summer Nights;

Television glares

Dark room,

Passionate stares.

6 a.m. bedtime orders;

Kisses are our choice of barter.

Sweating behind contorted knees,

Foreheads compressed together.

Please:

Spooning to looming,

 Braided hands,

Soft glances,

Déjà vu entitlement,

Heaven is where we went.

Feed Me A Lime

Basil Lime Cookies with Key Lime Cane Sugar

As summer is approaching, I thought some sort of lime cookie would be extremely appropriate, and one of my favorite desserts is key lime pie. The basil adds an underlying savory note, while the lime does not overpower the palette. The addition of lime juice makes the dough a bit softer in texture, and overall, the cookie dough base reminds me of a sugar cookie. With the key lime cane sugar exterior, these cookies are a great play on a mojito (without the strong mint tones). I am really enjoying experimenting with citrus and various fruits, and this is definitely a great way to get a sweet fix. This cookie would be a fun compliment to any sort of entertainment party, and will really impress your guests.

Recipe found here: http://betsylife.com/2012/02/13/src-basil-lime-cookies

(my adaptations are in bold)

Basil Lime Cookies recipe from Big Fat Baker

• 1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lime (about 1 tbsp)
• Juice from half of a lime
• 1 1/2 tsp very finely chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• key lime cane sugar (for rolling) (I found it at HomeGoods in clearance on a whim! Turned out to be quite useful.)

1. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line the cookie sheets with a silicone mat or parchment paper. (I used a silpat mat, and it worked wonderfully).
2. In a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the egg, vanilla, zest, basil and lime juice. Mix together until fully combined.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Then mix into the butter mixture until combined.
5. Roll 1 tbsp of dough into a ball. Toss each dough ball with key lime sugar cane. Repeat with remaining dough. Place about 1 inch apart on the lined cookie sheets. Flatten the dough, so each raw cookie is about 2 to 3 inches in diameter.
6. Bake 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the size of your cookies/oven. (I baked them for 9 minutes, until the bottoms were a bit golden brown).
7. Remove immediately from silpat mat (or liner) and allow to cool on a cooling rack for 1 to 3 minutes. Store in an air tight container. 

Some other ideas to play around with:

• Adding Patron Silver tequila to the dough
• Using mint instead of basil, or in addition to, if you desire a stronger herbal flavor

Keep Calm and Grill On

Fruit: a healthy alternative to dessert. Want to have an excuse to keep the party alive and the flame going? Just grill it!

Grilling fruit is a great way to bring out the natural flavors within via caramelization. (and is highly endorsed by Mr. Bobby Flay).

The process is incredibly simple as well!

Now, corny [or should i say, citrus] joke time!!

What are a vampire’s favorite fruit?

Blood Oranges! 

hehe!!

Oranges are a great source of Vitamin C and are complementary to many fish and chicken dishes.

I have never really enjoyed raw oranges, but I am beginning to open my eyes to a entire, unexplored world of magical fruits!

Step by step instructions: http://www.livestrong.com/article/450372-how-to-grill-an-orange/

I sprinkled a blood orange, a satsuma and a valencia orange with a tiny bit of light brown sugar on one side – delicious! It is a great, innovative way to balance the acidity of citrus fruits, and is a sexy approach to spicing up whatever you have sitting in your refrigerator. Juicy, light and a great side dish, salad addition or enjoy it as a yummy, healthy snack. Very romantic indeed!

“Daily Needs for Fruits & Vegetables:
Most people should increase the amount of fruits and vegetables they currently eat every day. Daily fruit and vegetable needs depend on a person’s calorie needs, which are determined by age, sex and level of physical activity. For example, an adult should eat 2 cups of fruits and 2½ cups of vegetables daily, based on a 2,000 calorie diet.”

Brought to you by Clemson University (and the letter [vitamin] C) at http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/hot_topics/2010/08grill_veg.html

Other useful websites and tips:

http://bbq.about.com/od/fruitandvegetables/a/aa081305a.htm

Trying Grilling Fruits and Vegetables

http://www.organicauthority.com/eco-chic-table/grilled-grilling-fruits-101.html

http://www.organicgardening.com/cook/most-grillable-fruits