OLIVES FOR BEGINNERS

2013 has definitely been a year for me and my taste buds.  Being a foodie, in general, has allowed me to savor many flavors of decadence and the unique.  From finding/tasting chocolate everywhere I visit to now eating olives.  Yes, Olives.  

Thirteen years ago, while working in Morocco, I often went to the local markets for food. There was, however, one just outside the city of Rabat resembling "Sam's Club."  It may even have been slightly larger.  In the far back left hand corner of the store lined up in front of the meats and next to the fresh vegetables were several rows [yes, rows] of 20 bins each of the most beautifully colored displayed olives.  Imagine strolling through "Whole Foods" in the prepared food isles.  This was something similar, but each row was 5 times as long all with olives prepared in variations of salads, dressings, stuffed, seasoned and colors. 

Above: Kalmatta; Below: Gorgonzola Stuffed

Of course, there were/are olives sold in the medinas, but this was an amazingly large display of food beauty.  Whether they were black, dark green, light green, yellow-ish, reds, they were all so pretty.  All I could think about was how unfortunate it was that I disliked the taste and smell of olives. [So much as I would gag.] I was probably one of the few on earth that don't enjoy the taste of the divine fruit; that is, until recently.

I started eating olives prepared in a Moroccan tangine.  Lemon Chicken; absolutely to die for.   I have definitely mastered the art of cooking this dish.  The flavor of the olives is a vital ingredient.  In my book this does not exactly count when it comes to eating the actual olives, but it was definitely a beginning. 

Once making the decision to overcome the hesitancy of eating olives, I dove in - cautiously.  I don't know why I thought it would be easier to eat, but I now love olive tapenade.  No idea why, but, I enjoy baguettes with tapenade as an appetizer with dinner.  LOVE!  

Kalmatta olives, for some reason, make it past my taste buds, as well without returning. I still am unable to devour several olives at a time as if eating popcorn. And, I definitely can't stomach eating the plain simple black olives or any stuffed with cheese.  Give me time, but I see a future of olives forever in my refrigerator.

WINTER WELCOME

For decades on end my friend from elementary school has always been right there to fill the 'needs' requests for me and many of her circle of friends. If any one of us simply mention, or just think out loud that we/they need something, she immediately gets on the internet and searches for a solution.  Typically, within 10 minutes I/We get the "I FOUND IT" call or email.  

Two months ago was no different.  After many years of complaining how I despise house cleaning and constantly whined about hiring someone to clean my house, even for just 1-2x per month, I began my search to take the plunge.  Normally, my excuse was that I couldn't justify spending the money to do a chore that I am quite capable.  

I am away a great deal of the year and the last thing I want to do when I come home is to spend my weekend cleaning.  With that said, my friend, simultaneously, was searching for a new cleaning person, as well, since her last one did not, let's say, take pride in her work.  Needless to say, upon my serious inquiry as to whom she uses, I received the excited phone call that she found someone new to clean her house. Coincidentally, R lives within 2 miles of my house, but will travel 45 miles to clean my friends' house. My friend's house was the trial clean.

Following the raving reviews, I had my first cleaning day. Upon returning home that Friday night following a hellish week at work, I cannot express the sensation I felt upon entering my spotless house.  I absolutely loved coming home to the smell of 'Fabuloso.'  My new favorite product.

The cleaning woman, R, is now my new best friend.  She not only cleans the house, she feeds the cat...and, most recently, had her fiance snow blow my driveway prior to my coming home after the first storm of the winter season.  I can't thank her enough for taking such fantastic care of me and Lucia, my cat.  My being an extremely independent self sustaining woman, I can't figure out how I survived all of these years without her.

I know she has two daughters.  One comes with her to feed my cat.  I am guessing that the snow blowing of the driveway was a family outing and the girls made me my winter friend. Here is what greeted me upon returning home after the storm.

Welcome Home - Better than the door mat!

That snowman definitely pastes a smile on my face when I come home before entering the house.  How can it  not.

FRIEND-A-PHOBE

Living like a vagabond for 2/3 of my life has limited my circle of friends.  While I enjoy speaking with people, for the most part, I am much better in smaller groups.  1-1 or 1-2 is ideal for me.  Parties of more than that I tend to get a little claustrophobic; until, of course, I am alcohol induced.  Once that is introduced I am ill at ease.

With that said, I am creating a synonym, "friend-a-phobe,' for introvert.  I think I ought to take the Meyers-Briggs Test.  Perhaps, there is one online since I am not about to head into the psychologists office.

I don't even know why I am writing this right now.  It could be due to the fact that I just came home from work and have had a couple of glasses of wine to take the edge off from a very difficult work week.  Yes, I did say couple.  The more I have to drink the better I feel about writing to myself.

My Choice of Poison

Addendum:  Survived the night that commenced with ingesting two glasses of wine then dragged off to a local watering hole for the vodka portion.  Once arriving home after the festivities the late night munchies concluded by a few teaspoons of the B&J. The perfect ending to a horribly stressful workweek. 

ANOTHER GEM

The phone rang at 6:52a.m.  Time to get up.  Hurry up and get ready. How fast can you be ready and at my house to take a drive.  The weather is beautiful. The sky is blue.  Let's go.  

Just a few minutes of groaning I hopped in the shower, barely brushed by hair [if at all] and jumped into my car to start the days' journey.  The first stop was for a duly needed cafe mocha then a quick stop in Pawtucket to, once again, enjoy the fabulous sliders from Rocket Street Food [mentioned in a prior post].  A good hearty breakfast.  Aside from the burgers [Parisienne and The Vulcan] in the bag we bought mac and cheese - also a 'truck' specialty as well as a gift from Joe, butter steamed baby potatoes.  All of this devoured by 10a.m. and before 495W.  Breakfast of foodies. 

Onward and upward we go heading to Great Barrington, MA bordering ever so slightly to New York. What a cute little artsy boho town.  I do have my favorite shops, of course.  T P Saddle Blanket and Hildi B, both on Main Street, have definitely dented my credit card.  My favorite suede fringed wrap comes from P Saddle Blanket Shop. I was very tempted to buy two more yesterday, but the color I was salivating over was missing from the collection.  Probably a good thing because the cost would have emptied my bank account.  Great Barrington maybe that artsy boho town, but costly.  

One type of shop that I normally try to avoid, due to the fact that I have a problem with buying kitchen items, is a kitchen/chef shop.  I love ceramic or porcelain platters.  It's right up there with my boot and winter outerwear problem.  I just can't resist.  With that said, I hesitantly entered into 'The Chef's Shop,' located on Railroad Street.  This shop has been around for 23 years.  Imagine the job security for owner, Rob Navarino's employees. He was truly a pleasure to speak to. In the back of the shop was a cupcake bakery.  Mini cupcakes! All flavors and a select few - stuffed! YUMMY!  It was the cupcake version of donut holes.  Just pop them in your mouth for that immediate sweet fix.  

Rob Navorino - The Chef's Shop

Of course, I bought something!  I am now the proud owner of a truffle colored French Press by Le Creuset.  Probably something I will rarely, if ever, use.  It now sits next to the glass one I brought back from Morocco collecting dust.  

Aside from the artisans, the area is beautiful and quaint. Mountains, rivers, lakes, foliage, farms, vineyards surround the town. There were signs that winter arrived, as well.  Upon entering the northwestern area of MA spots of snow and ice covered areas of the ground. 

Definitely, a good place to visit on the idea of a spur of the moment drive to 'somewhere.'