Traveling

Will be out of town until Tuesday for BIL's wedding in DC. Cats will hate us by the time we're back, probably (Rudy already started sulking seeing the suitcase). Although they love our petsitter, so maybe not. I had to write her a note saying 'We are NOT starving Rudy, really. He's just old, so if he asks for a second can, please give it to him...') :)

And I remembered to pack the camera this time, so hopefully there'll be pictures. Yippee!

Still Remembering...

Leonard Cohen: On That Day (from 'Dear Heather', 2004)

Some people say
It's what we deserve
For sins against g-d
For crimes in the world
I wouldn't know
I'm just holding the fort
Since that day
They wounded New York

Some people say
They hate us of old
Our women unveiled
Our slaves and our gold
I wouldn't know
I'm just holding the fort
But answer me this
I won't take you to court
Did you go crazy
Or did you report
On that day
On that day
They wounded New York

On Current Events

I just would like to submit that, yet again, The Anchoress told it so much better than I've ever could have.

One of the key graphs:
“Tolerance” and “compassion” are good things, if they mean something.
But “tolerance” really means “put up with” and “compassion” can sometimes be
sullied by condescension or pity. “Mercy” is different. “Mercy” recognizes that we are all in this broken world, together, all in need of healing and help, somewhere.


Also, Dr. Melissa Clouthier has something to say, and I almost wept at the beauty of this paragraph:

Justice, mercy and faith go hand in hand. In order to have mercy, you have to first know the law and the just reward for the law. Most people deserve condemnation for something if one looks closely enough. As anyone sitting in jail will tell you, the law is a harsh master. Mercy demonstrates an understanding of justice. Mercy is the space between what is deserved and what is forgiven in humility.

And that's all I want to say about current events, really.

Cinnamon Marzipan Brownies

I made these last week, and in one word: sinful.

1 cup butter, unsalted
4 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped (I actually found a block of Valhrona I totally forgot about since I picked it up at Central market--woo-hoo)
1.5 cups sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour

Filling:
1 pkg almond paste (8 oz)
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 egg

Heat oven to 350 F. Spray 13x9 inch pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat; add chocolate pieces, remove from heat and stir together until melted. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, vanilla. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beat well after each.
Add flour; mix until smooth. Spread evenly into pan.
For filling: crumble almond paste into bowl; add egg and 1/4 tsp cinnamon; using handheld mixer or food processor, process until smooth.
Drop almond mixture by spoonfuls over brownie mix; swirl with knife.
Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean.
Cut into very small squares; this is dense.