Have you all checked out the Winter Manifesto going on over at SouleMama? I've been loving its simplicity and grace, and so far I think she's been right on about how to beat the winter blues: follow the sun, make things, sit by the fire, wear your wool and flannel, shake things up, and get outside. Today, however, I'd like to add an element of my own personal Winter Manifesto that Amanda missed: above all else, eat a hearty breakfast. It should be hot, of course, preferably with heavy involvement from raisins and cinnamon. Applesauce, while not necessary, is recommended.And now, a brief ode to my favorite hot cereal: Bob's Red Mill Seven Grain. If you like hot cereal, and you haven't tried this one yet, please do. The label looks like something from a 19th century general store, and the ingredients read like a bag of horse feed, but oh, how I love it. I'm one of those who isn't crazy about oatmeal. I'll tolerate it, but personally, I think oatmeal is pasty and boring. I picture stodgy English professors (sorry Kate!) with their feet up on brocade ottomans, reading something stultifying, Nathaniel Hawthorne maybe, and eating their oatmeal. Oatmeal is Dick Cheney, and Felix Ungar, and Bert from Sesame Street. It's Puritanical. It's seltzer water, and church on Sundays in dusty little pillbox hats.
This stuff is way cooler. If it's church, it's Unitarian church. If it's Sesame Street, it's Elmo, not Bert. It wouldn't dare be pasty. It's nutty and flavorful; in short, a wonder food.
And now that I've gotten completely carried away with hot cereal, when this post was really supposed to be about my new bowls, I will stop here.
Hello. This is one of my new bowls I've been meaning to blog about since forever. They were a birthday present to myself, from myself. The best kind. And while I usually prefer to get my fabulous, beautiful kitchen things from thrift stores or antique stores, I have to say there's something really exciting about the fact that these are from Anthropologie. Anthropologie is like this club, this elite society of creative, interesting people with excellent taste. Excellent taste, and deep pockets, because their stuff never comes cheap. But, lucky me, I caught these pretties on sale a few days before Christmas. I believe in beautiful dishes. I'm not someone who has wedding china she never uses. What's the point? I mainly enjoy things by using them (as opposed to just looking at them) and so, our china gets plenty of service. It makes eating a little more interesting, a little more exciting. And on a dreary gray dirty-snow February day, who can argue with that?
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5 comments:
Hmmm, I am feeling a little contentious with your comments about both oatmeal and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Oatmeal CAN be pasty and boring, but it can also be comforting, smooth and soothing, delicious with the right additives. And, though I too tend to find old English literature stuffy...Nat Hawthorne?? He was one to fight the puritanical bindings of his day. Hester Prynne was one fiesty and strong lady.
Anyway, I will have to try this cereal. I think I've seen it in the Giant. And I love the dishes. I almost always buy myself a birthday present :)
As far as Nathaniel Hawthorne goes, he was my chief tormentor in tenth grade English. He's the reason I only got a stinking A-. My resentment is deep, and bitter. As far as oatmeal goes, I don't hate the stuff. It's okay. And, oats are one of the ingredients in this 7-grain stuff! I just like them better when balanced out with other grains.
I love your new bowl! I am a strong believer on eating being a full experience complete with fun dishes! :) and yes, i eat oatmeal but as you know I am very boring and stogy!
I adore that bowl! So cute! And although I love oatmeal too, my favorite breakfast food is malt-o-meal. I know, I know. My husband thinks it's gross, but I guess it's just a childhood thing. I love it :)
I didn't know there were so many folks with strong opinions on the subject of oatmeal! Maybe we should designate an official Oatmeal Awareness Day?
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