Clothes designer Ralph Lauren has been inspired by futuristic technology shown in the Tom Cruise film Minority Report to allow New Yorkers to buy clothes without entering the premises, using a touch-screen system on the window. The Ralph Lauren Polo Store is reinventing window shopping by mounting a 67-inch touch-screen on its window display, where [...]
Archive for August, 2006
I feel weird today, like Red Beard is out of reach. Yesterday I sent him an email and asked him for his screen name so we could instant message each other. I assured him I wouldn’t ruin his life with idle chitchat; I would just give him the odd poke now and again. He didn’t reply to the email, and I didn’t sweat it.
Last night when I got home, he was horny but I was hungry. He had me sit on his lap while we searched for the phone number for a nearby Chinese takeout joint. Once we located the digits, I was ready to make the call for some greasy food while he was ready to tear my clothes off. I had a flash forward of our bedroom escapades while my belly bellowed, “FEED ME!”
I stopped him and ran for my cell phone as I said, “But I’m sooo hungry!” He looked understandably rejected. If I were trying to get in his pants and he opted for Chinese food instead, I would feel like chopped liver. However, I was starving and dinner came first. I apologized and he assured me that there was nothing to worry about. He pointed out that I had two opposing carnal desires, and eating happens to win out on the survival instinct scale.
On our way to collect the food, I again asked him for his screen name. He said, “I’m sorry – I never replied to your email! I was swamped at work and I wound up away from my desk for like five hours.”
I responded, “No biggie, I figured as much.” Then he told me his screen name so I could add him to my buddy list the next time I logged in.
After we got back from picking up the food, we sat down in front of South Park while we ate. When we were through, I asked if we could move to the bedroom so we could be a little more comfy while we watched boob tube.
We hopped under the covers and snuggled for a while, and when it was time, I got myself ready for bed. Red Beard turned out the light, and I went down on him. Without further ado, I hopped on top and we got busy with the main event. I reminded myself that I sacrificed my own foreplay when I opted for General Tso’s chicken instead of Red Beard’s tongue. The sex was mind-blowing anyway.
Today I just keep thinking about having him on me and in me. I added him to my buddy list, but he hasn’t appeared online. He just feels so inaccessible to me right now and it’s making me feel cranky and frustrated. Instead, I got an email from Peach asking me to go on a date. (Sigh. More on that tomorrow.)
I just want a little pat on the head or some sort of acknowledgement from Red Beard. Instead, I have to reminisce about Peach. I think I must have been suffering a form of hunger-driven temporary insanity for putting off our sex session until after dinner. Never again will I take him for granted and be too hungry to have Red Beard first.
My latest warehouse find was an enormous package of blueberries imported from Canada. Looking at the package I saw the word “bleuets”. Apparently in French speaking Canada blueberries are called bleuets. Isn’t that a sweet word? Much more charming than “myrtille”, which is what I learned in French class. Though truthfully I like the word blueberry too. It’s so very accurate. But bleuets kind of hints at how cute they are.
Frozen blueberries are fine, but fresh ones are really special. They are such sweet little gems to bake with. When I wrote about blueberries last Summer, I suggested adding blueberries to pancakes and muffins. But I didn’t have any specific recipes for you. Well I do now! My blueberry muffin recipe is adapted from the one in The King Arthur Flour Baker’s Companion The All-Purpose Baking Cookbook. While I highly recommend the cookbook, the King Arthur Flour website has TONS of recipes too. Those King Arthur people know what they’re doing when it comes to baking.
My ideal muffin is not too greasy, too sweet, or too big. It’s light with a tender crumb, and a little tang to it. After having tried many different times to bake perfect muffins, my favorite recipe is one that happened by accident. I wanted to make blueberry muffins but realized I didn’t have enough blueberries. So I added some dried cherries and they turned out great. I tried the recipe again with dried cranberries and that worked well too.
I like making smaller batches of muffins. My recipe is for just 6 muffins which is just the right amount if you ask me. You could easily double the recipe if you want to. It’s not a super healthy recipe, but go ahead and indulge after all, blueberries are full of antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C. That’s gotta count for something.
Blueberry Muffins
makes 6 muffins
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
3/4 cup blueberries, either fresh or frozen
1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries
1 teaspoon sugar (preferably turbinado or raw sugar)
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Cream the butter and sugar in a food processor or mixer. When thoroughly combined, add the egg and blend. Add the flour, baking powder and salt and lemon peel, blend and then gradually add the milk. Put batter in a mixing bowl and gently fold in the blueberries and dried fruit. Fill muffin tins completely and top each muffin with a sprinkle of sugar. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a bamboo skewer comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes then move to a rack.
Enjoy!
FOOD + BLUEBERRIES + MUFFINS
