Connotations

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Sandi LoConti

I am participating in thirty days of Brave Blogging with Andrea Scher and, oh, a couple of dozen other bloggers this month. Ordinary Legacy is getting a shake up and you’re invited. I’m not even sure of what’s going to happen and isn’t that fabulous?

Our first prompt is one that is oh so interesting but…when the 25 Random Things About Me got put out there I got put out, or should I say I got all balled up. Because, in all the years that you’ve been reading this blog I found it hard to come up with anything random about me that you don’t already know, I have random-ed you to death.

So instead I’m going with twenty five of the things I say most often, Sandi-isms. For those of you bursting in my door at any given time you know these aren’t random they’re just what I say. But now, for the first time, you’re getting the down and dirty what does she really mean when she says…

Fabulous– My most common answer to how are you is fabulous. It’s hysterical to me that people respond by saying really? As if I couldn’t possibly be fabulous. Or, oh sure, me too with sarcasm dripping from their tongue. This reply comes from my dear friend Cookie who could make it sound like either one of those and several others that really can’t be discussed here, but I just say fabulous because mostly that’s how I am. Not everyone believes me but ok.
Couldn’t be better– A not so common answer to how are you that really means couldn’t be better. I have good health, a wonderful family, friends, job, home, and life. I’m telling you I couldn’t be better.
I’m all balled up– Suffice to say on those rare occasions when everything is upside down, I’m off schedule, not feeling well or any combination of the these, I’m all balled up. I don’t like to elaborate because I feel like the more I bitch, the more I’ll get to bitch about. I don’t think the universe understands all balled up so it keeps me out of trouble.
What’d ya hear? – This one gets me in trouble sometimes when I really want to say how are you? Gets me in trouble because people actually tell me…mostly its gossip I really don’t want to hear but I asked.
See you when I see you– I don’t say goodbye. I just don’t say goodbye.
Who loves you more than me? This started with all the kids when they were little. I don’t have children but I’ve got nieces and nephews and beautiful strays. I say it to everyone now and they all have the right answer: nobody!
Puttering– My most common answer to what are you doing. This is my FAVORITE thing to do.
Just sayin– My “told you so” just sayin.
Chickapeeps– My favorite way to call any dog, no matter what their name is, and it works. Inflection is my friend…
Gramma’s– In answer to that look on Toti Nonna’s (my so ugly she’s adorable terrier mix) face when I’m gathering stuff on Sunday morning. Where are we going that look says, GRAMMA’s. When it comes to dogs inflection is definitely my friend.
Because I said so that’s why– In answer to that look on Toti Nonna’s face when I’m standing at the front door holding her rain coat. She’s not a fan…
Komen ze bitte– I work with Germans. Come please. Nough said. This was once reserved for the dogs but now I just use it on, I mean with, everyone.
Come come come– This is the follow-up to Komen ze bitte if no one comes fast enough. Again, mostly dogs but well now you know.
Whew– my answer to any rant I didn’t expect, didn’t need to hear, TMI, like that.
Because???– My answer to, you have to……….whatever. If it sounds like a demand I’m questioning right out of the shoot. I don’t do well with demands, former life leftover issues I’m sure.
Come and eat– My favorite invitation to everyone. Nothing makes me happier than to cook for people and have them around my table sharing stories, laughing, filling my house with soul.
So blah blah blah, yes? There are some people who simply can’t answer a question. So I help them by giving them the answer I usually want at the end. They usually say…yes. Done.
Get a hold of yourself– In answer to some ridiculous request, the second part is – and don’t let go.
Can’t help myself– When I say something completely honest with such vigor, I surprise even myself. Sometimes the words just come out, you might be gathering that from this…just sayin.
I have no words…because it’s better than saying all the words I really do have.
Seriously?-nough said.
Let me see if I have this right? I get a lot of ridiculous requests, I need several rebuttals.
Wow– A really lot of ridiculous requests.
That’s what I’m sayin– Somehow I just can’t say I agree. This just works better for me.
They should live and be well– And last but definitely not least the phrase that is saving my Karmic equity on an almost daily basis. For those people who have done me wrong, hurt me or my people, run their mouth with nonsense I say they should live and be well. In my head this translates to…wait for it…they’re DEAD to me. Universe handled, karma intact.

And there you have it, Sandi-isms revealed…so we have an even playing field going forward leave me a few of yours in the comments. Stay tuned.

YOLO

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Sandi LoConti

Why did I think this sad excuse for bad behavior died? Are we continuing to follow the fist pumping Bieberish outliers that are still using what could be a call to live life to the fullest in their antics? Are we? Are we still allowing the media to continue giving the Millennials a bad name by highlighting the “no regrets” madness of the few? Are we?

You only live once, YOLO, simply isn’t true. I’ve lived at least four lifetimes already in my sixty years and each life change was spurred on by a regret. As Joan Didion puts it, I’ve let go of several people I used to be. The thing about each regret is it wasn’t realized at the time of the occurrence. It is with hind sight, always 20/20, that I could see the regret clearly but somehow I made the life change at the time anyway. I find that fascinating.

How will people be able to realize these life changes if they assign the concept of YOLO in such extremes? I worry that a generation may be lost to not embracing the power of making a mistake and learning from it. That their quest for overindulgences and momentary rash decisions will bring them to an early grave. That there might not be any mindfulness to their decisions and that their only legacy will be their sudden demise. I’ve been thinking about this all week.

And then I realize the media is undeniably at work here. Portraits of the crazy younger generations sells advertising, God knows we did. But as I look around at the young people I know, my trust is restored. For instance a young man I know is just beginning to realize he needs an adventure, not the drive on the edge of a cliff kind of adventure but a change. He’s realizing, in advance, that if he doesn’t follow his heart and seek out those things that give him joy he might never have the opportunity again, he wants no regrets. So in some sense he’s planning but at the same time remaining open to possibility. He’s exploring but remaining cognizant of the effects his decision will have on his family. He’s not struggling with the fact that his family might be hurt or disappointed but mindful that it might happen and prepared to address it. He gets the carpe diem spirit of you only live once.

These are the members of the Millennial generation that need to be celebrated and highlighted. For all their faults and all their perceived entitlements we may have some culpability here; we left them quite a mess to contend with. For all we know most of them, are planning adventures and creating alternate lifestyles that will change the world just as we Boomers did. I think we just need to ask them.

The more I open my mind to them the more I see them as a generation of alternatives. These are the people foregoing the big fancy weddings and concentrating on the marriage, these are the people coming into and helping to revive the cities. Forcing changes to old housing standards like the McMansion. These are the minimalists. These are the people that might just put the automotive business in a tizzy.

I still believe that YOLO in its pop culture manifestation threatens to send life down the drain but my faith in those truly trying to live without regrets will continue to be restored by those simply living their lives the way they want their story told. My kind of people.

Stowe Lane Kitchen: Citrus in February

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Sandi LoConti

There is a reason why citrus is in season in February. We need it, it’s grey in February, and the snow mounds look as if they’ve turned to granite. Citrus smells like sun light, when the aroma fills the house your spirits are lifted you feel lighter. The taste of citrus cuts through all the delicious soups and stews you’ve been enjoying through the winter with a promise of fresh produce very soon. A squeeze of anything citrus will encourage you to put your boots on one more time because winter will be over eventually. Dried citrus peel in the fireplace is one of the best ways to fill the room with delish.

Another way to fill the house with warmth and light is to bake. I sometimes turn to Aunt Millie’s recipe box for something old fashioned, something with legacy, go figure, something from her. The problem is that many of these scribbled recipes aren’t all that legible any more. Her Italian pound cake recipe is a mess but as luck would have it Dorie Greenspan posted a recipe for Valentine’s Day called Mediterranean Yogurt Cake. It was an adaptation of a French cake that she updated with citrus, clementine to be exact. Aunt Millie’s pound cake had ricotta but yogurt could easily take its place and the thought of citrus had me at the first click. Here’s my version of Aunt Millie’s Pound cake via Dorie’s Mediterranean Yogurt Cake. Let’s call it Mediterranean Pound Cake.

Preheat oven to 350	8 ½ X 4 ½ loaf pan sprayed with baking spray
1 cup sugar	1 container (5.3oz) greek yogurt
Zest of one orange	3 large eggs
1 ½ cups flour. My flour canister has AP flour and white whole wheat.	2 tsp good real vanilla extract
2 tsp baking powder	½ tsp Fiori di Sicilia the Italian secret weapon for baking. Or orange oil/extract. Either of these are optional
Pinch of salt	½ cup mild olive oil

The thing I love about Dorie’s adaptation is infusing the sugar with the orange zest. In a bowl large enough to mix your cake, you don’t need a mixer for this, mix the sugar and zest together with your fingers rubbing the zest into the sugar and distributing it throughout. This first step sets the stage with anticipation, the aroma is glorious and you haven’t done a thing yet.

Whisk the yogurt into the sugar mixture. You can use the whisk for the entire recipe.

Now the eggs, one at a time. You’ll have to whisk more vigorously for the eggs.

Then the vanilla and Fiori di Sicilia or orange oil if you’re using those.

Your dry ingredients are next. I measure out the flour, baking powder and salt onto a paper plate and do a quick whisk to incorporate them together. Then you can just add them into the batter and whisk easily just until they are incorporated.

Last slowly add the olive oil in, slowly. I did it in two additions. Slowly, did I mention slowly, until it is smoothed into the batter.

Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake on the middle rack of the preheated oven for about 50 minutes. Test with a cake tester, I don’t own a cake tester so I use a knife, when it comes out clean you’re there. Rest the loaf pan on the stove for 5 minutes then turn your cake out onto a rack to cool.

For the last 45 minutes your home has been filled, I mean your whole home, with the smell of citrus/vanilla and baked amazing. I made this pound cake on Wednesday and it held up beautifully until today when we finished it at breakfast with Gramma. She approved. Nough said. I hope you try it, I hope you love it.

Plan B…Again

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Sandi LoConti

Some people will tell you that having a Plan B just muddies up the waters for Plan A. Other people will tell you that the most successful people always have a Plan B. If you think for one minute you can plan your life you’re wrong. All you can ever do is be available for it, your life that is.

What was supposed to be an adventure into the city to walk the High Line and nibble our way through the meat packing district instead turned into welcoming new puppy Eloise home to Sleepy Hollow. Carly and family aka the Hodgsons are the proud new family of tiny Shepard mixed with god knows what Eloise as of today. Things happened that quickly, too quickly to even get a focused shot of Eloise.

I was not without apprehension, these are fly by the seat of their pants, leave the door wide open, run hither and yon people. Puppies take discipline and work and time and boundaries and pack leadership and on and on. Enter Aunt Sandi with all her apprehension and a bag full of toys, a puppy gate and a soft sided crate, an open heart and she was pleasantly gratefully surprised. Carly is steadfast in her learning about being pack leader. She has learned and read and absorbed everything the experts have been telling her over the last two days. Thankfully she’s a quick study and I put her in charge. She will be an amazing pack leader and I exhaled.

So while the adventure changed it did in fact remain an adventure topped off by a walk through the Sleepy Hollow cemetery at the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow.

Followed by some delicious nibbles at Mint in Tarrytown. As you can see we ate through the cheese and charcuterie board too quickly for even one picture.

I have lived in Plan B my whole life and it has and continues to serve me well.

Recipes for a Storm – Blizzard 2016

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Sandi LoConti

Blizzard: n. severe snowstorm characterized by strong sustained winds of at least 35 mph (56 km/h) and lasting for a prolonged period of time—typically three hours or more…Wikipedia

I’m sure after this weekend no one needs me to tell them that. I love a blizzard because I’m that person who stays home in it, regardless. Stay home, wear pajamas all day and cook. Oh yeah and make the house smell delicious.

This blizzard I cooked from my pantry using my go-to recipes, with a few variations, apple fig muffin tops and pasta fagioli.

Basic quick bread recipe and this year’s blizzard add-ins:

oil, I use canola, ¼ish cup
sugar ¾ cup, if you need sweet kick it up to a cup. I just use the 5 oz scoop in my sugar canister.
vanilla to taste, I use a lot, no measuring. If you had to measure I’d say a teaspoon but I’m a quick pour kinda girl.
2 eggs
flour, 2 cups
baking powder, 2 tsp
baking soda, ½ tsp
salt, 1 tsp
some kind of fruit, no more than 2 cups
- for this blizzard I peeled and cubed two apples and mixed them with fig jam after microwaving them for 2 minutes with a little water.
some kind of liquid, no more than a ½ cup, sometimes I use yogurt…
- for this blizzard I used the liquid from the apples and jam and a dash of ½ and ½
just for kicks I added in apple pie spice and some Kashi nuggets

Wisk all the wet ingredients, everything above the flour, together and then abandon the wisk for a spatula and mix in the dry. Add in the fruit and then the liquid to make a smooth, as smooth as something with two cubed apples can be, batter and portion evenly into the six wells of a muffin top pan. No muffin top pan, although I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t have one, you can use a regular muffin tin. Just add more time, like 10 minutes or so.

Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Fantastic with a cup of coffee, latte or tea. I’ve tested them with each, on different days of course. I have made this recipe in every variable possible, it is forgiving and never lets me down.

Pasta Fagioli

pancetta, I keep cubed pancetta in my freezer and use it as I need it.
Soffritto (the Italian version of mirepoix)/mirepoix onion, carrot and celery
garlic
tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes I love fire roasted
1 can cannellini beans, rinsed or ick…
1 cup ditalini pasta, or whatever shape you prefer

Render the pancetta in olive oil until its crisp. Add in the soffritto, salt and pepper to taste and sauté until it’s just about to turn golden. I don’t like that whole til its transparent thing I like some color. Add in the garlic and the tomato paste. Really cook the tomato paste until it begins to turn brown. Add in the tomatoes and at least two cans of water. One to rinse out the can and one to bring the level up a bit. Stir until mixed in then add the cannellini beans. Whatever size can you’re using for tomatoes, use the same size of beans. Bring the whole thing up to a boil, you’ll see the bubbles along the rim of the pot, then cover and turn down to the lowest point and let it do its thing for about 30 to 45 minutes. Uncover, turn the temp to medium and add in the ditalini. Cook until al dente. If it gets to thick, add some water. Taste as you go and season to taste.

Serve right away with a generous sprinkling (or grating from that big chunk you’ve got in the fridge) of Parmigiano Reggiano. Crusty bread on the side wouldn’t hurt either. And a glass of red, just sayin.

I’ve never understood why so many people feel that they have to run to the store in advance of a blizzard for every package of junk food they can find. Calories still count during a storm and yeah you’ll be shoveling but you’re not going to undo 5000 calories worth of chips and dips and donuts and brownies and god knows what the hell else. And your house won’t smell delicious and like everything is going to be alright tomorrow.

While the snow may be piling up around you and the wind is howling, your day at the stove in your pajamas just might bring you more abundance than you could imagine. “A year of snow, a year of plenty.” — French proverb about cooking during a blizzard, it’s what they do… just sayin.

Buon Appetito from Stowe Lane

Ordinary Legacy

Preserving moments in time through thoughtful words and images.

Category Archives: Pause Points

Connotations

YOLO

Stowe Lane Kitchen: Citrus in February

Plan B…Again

Recipes for a Storm – Blizzard 2016

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