Weekend Coffee Share, Embracing Darkness

December 10, 2016 — #weekendcoffeeshare, chiles, holiday, Mexican food, party

#WeekendCoffeeShare

Welcome to the coffee party. I am glad you have the time to drop in for a cup of coffee, tea, or good cheer. If we were having coffee today I would invite you to stay for a while to tell me what is up in your life.  We have a very festive table set for your visit today. I just whipped up some cranberry rhubarb sauce, and am sipping on my new favorite tea, roiboos lemon cloud. In the back yard I am grilling up eggplants and a very large batch of green chiles I picked up at the produce bonanza this morning. The selection this week ( We get 60 pounds of produce for $10) was small, but the quality very high. Nothing says Christmas in Tucson like perfect green chile, so I filled the box to the brim. We brought home watermelons, green peppers and eggplant too. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out how to use/ and or give away all the fresh vegetables before they rot. There will be sour cream enchiladas, chiles rellenos, and some chilaquiles later today. Stick around if you like Mexican food. I made great tomatillo/jalapeño salsa last week that is outstanding. We like it spicy around here.

If you are not fond of Mexican food we have great leftovers from an impromptu party we threw this week. I made an English Christmas Pudding, which created discussion, which in turn lead to a weeknight party with great old friends. One of our guests lives close enough to walk over, and has vast experience with pudding like this. His family has a traditional holiday pudding called a puzzle pudding, which they inherited from their ancestors in Wales. I made one with apples and rum raisins, and served it with great quantities of whipped cream. We partied on homemade spinach artichoke dip, crudités, olives, and cheese fondue while sipping hot spiced cider. It was perfect for our low key style. We had a great time catching up with our friends, and the effort was minimal.

As we head into the darkest days of the year I am going extra dark next week.  I have an appointment to receive a light treatment at my dermatologist’s office that is kind of tedious. It requires that I stay at the office for about 2 hours, which is not so severe.  After the treatment I must avoid light of all kinds for about 3 days to ensure proper healing.  It is even contraindicated to sit by a window inside the house.  I have rolling shutters downstairs, so I can effectively create a black out inside.  While the rest of the world rolls by I will spend three days 18-21 December in total darkness binging on television and hopefully doing some writing and art. I may do some cooking, but am feeling kind of  finished with holiday meal preparation.  I am accentuating the winter solstice for full effect.  I have candles, essential oils, and fancy red robe to dress up like Mrs. Santa Claus.  I will be going into deep cover.  I hope to emerge refreshed and ready for a brand new year.  I wish you all a happy Saturnalia.

I appreciate the chance to share coffee and more with this group of talented writers.  Stop by Diana’s blog to read, comment, or post your own coffee stories.  The group is welcoming and intelligent.  We welcome your point of view.

Green Chiles