A night of friends, laughter, good food, a trickle of rain, empty bottles and glasses, caramelized onion dip, music, dessert plates with chocolate remains, pictures, gifts. That’s how I spent my birthday. The day began foggy, which year after year indicates that my birthday is up. I cannot say for sure it will be tremendously cold, but it will definitely be foggy. It marks the beginning of winter, shorter days, more kitchen hours and less sun in the terrace.
As I set out to finish the preparations for the night, it dawned on my that, though it isn´t the turn of a decade as is usually referred to, you know, a birthday or a year that ends with a 0, it is a decade since I decided to live a different life. The last ten years were intense, to say the least.
They saw me separate, divorce, move six times, start my own business, fall in love, loose a brother, loose a grandmother, become closer to my parents and brother, leave many fears behind, loose my dogs, gain a tremendous amount of confidence in myself, start another business, enjoy my own company, enjoy my true friends more than ever, learn how to ask for favors, understand I don’t always need to have the answer, dive back into my first love that is food, start a blog.
I want to believe I’m much wiser than I was ten years ago, and it’s probably true in some aspects, and I bet untrue in others. I don’t think our essence is much changed. I simply think life’s sweets and sorrows mold it; they let different aspects come out while we try to find a balance.
Definitely my wish for myself and anyone reading this, is to be able to enjoy the life we’re living. Enjoy it in a big, selfish way, while helping others do the same.
The more you give to others (not in an altruistic, stoic way) while trying to achieve whatever you want for yourself, will reap the best benefits. Share and it will come double. That is something I did learn in these ten years.
The more you give to others (not in an altruistic, stoic way) while trying to achieve whatever you want for yourself, will reap the best benefits. Share and it will come double. That is something I did learn in these ten years.
As I wake up to a house with party remains everywhere the sun is shinning and the sky is a cloudless light winter blue. I will spend
a good few hours cleaning and washing dishes; then I’m off to another friend’s house to have lunch.
a good few hours cleaning and washing dishes; then I’m off to another friend’s house to have lunch.
It’s a holiday here. No, not because it’s my birthday, ha.
It’s our National Flag Day. Yes, it turns out I was born a patriot.
It’s our National Flag Day. Yes, it turns out I was born a patriot.
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Ingredients
- 1 large red onion
- 1 Tbs butter
- 2 Tbs oil (vegetable or olive)
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 4 oz 115g cream cheese, room tº
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbs chives (chopped)
Instructions
- Peel onion, cut it in half and then slice thinly.
- Melt butter and oil in skillet, add onion and cayenne, salt and pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 to 30 minutes, until the onion turns soft, brown and caramelized. Allow to cool.
- In a bowl mix cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise and cooled onions.
- Mix well, check for seasoning and mix in chives.
- Serve at room tº with potato chips or toast.
barely adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, by Ina Garten
Cocoa and Lavender says
June 23, 2012 at 13:47Happy (belated) birthday, Paula! Winter birthdays are so hard sometimes… I love the introspection with which you wrote this post. You have had quite a decade – and many wishes for the next 10 years to be stellar and wonder-filled!
This dip really takes me back to childhood, although I am sure much better than the packaged dip of my youth! Can't wait to try it! ~ David
wp_vknotes_admin says
June 23, 2012 at 14:16Thanks so much David!
Looking at my bday pictures I was just thinking how hard it is to find good ones, and then I realized it´s because of the pasty winter faces! I made this dip for my friends (they date back to my school days, many years!) because we used to mix the onion powder and sour cream back in those days too!
Kat says
June 23, 2012 at 13:14Looks like a perfect snack. I always love a good dip. Agree completely on what you said on enjoying life!!
Kate from Scratch says
June 21, 2012 at 21:09Looks fantastic! I'd love this one, for sure. Yum!
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
June 21, 2012 at 14:32this dip looks so delicious – a real depth of flavor – love your blog – so happy to follow 🙂
Mary x
wp_vknotes_admin says
June 21, 2012 at 14:37Thanks Mary, it´s so great to meet new bloggers!
yummychunklet says
June 21, 2012 at 13:29This looks extremely delicious! Yum!
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
June 20, 2012 at 19:56So there I thought I was being smart by remembering your blog post from the 4 th of June, stating that "your birthday would be in 14 days" and taking a note of it…then I congratulate and then I read this post…well, I should have read it before commenting. So more birthday wishes from afar! I enjoyed reading your post very much!
wp_vknotes_admin says
June 20, 2012 at 21:43You were smart Andrea! Double thanks!
Mary Hirsch says
June 20, 2012 at 17:10Wise words. Belated happy birthday.
wp_vknotes_admin says
June 23, 2012 at 14:11Thanks so much Mary!
mireia badia says
June 20, 2012 at 14:17I love holidays hahaha and eating at my friend's places or inviting them over, it's just so much fun!!!!