this Pains me so Sweetly

my life.

my food.

have you ever realised that the most happy moments of your life were spent in front of a plate...?

in hidden, small restaurants with dim lights and exotic aromas flowing and dancing from every food platter, grabbing to the walls, and mixing into a characteristic odor aged by years and years on those very walls.

my life.

the anticipation rising, with bubbly laughter inside, excited with the gift of foresight;

tall and slender glasses cradling deep purple and ruby red of the best wine your money can buy, the shared happiness between the couples sitting in corner tables, and you upon entering, almost as if it was an acknowledgment from a fellow club member, ready to join the delights of food loving nights.

my food.

the sweet, almost pillow talk, soft conversations while waiting for the starters, and hearing the bottle pop and drip the smell of oak bark and berries, sipping romantically, almost flirty like, the wine chosen by it's loved name, as a child expected. the surprised aww's when the starters come and the sheer delight of that first inhalation. the silvery fork introducing a brew of tastes and combinations of flavors.

my life.

the loud laughter that eludes our bewildered mouth, and escapes trough the fingers, bracing our blushed face. the shine on your partners eyes, partaking in your brief loss of composure, while every bite of creamy, deliciousness piece of heaven called food dances inside your mouth.

near the end... we are filled with the most virginal glow of happiness and contentment...

...and ready to face the world once again...

my food.

my life.

~Sara Corpsie

 

 I am medicating myself with food.

sometimes I can stop myself... other times I can't.

I gained about 2kg during the last month and I can see I'll have to take extreme measures to end this binging trip. the answer is simple:

have some self control.

xoxo

Bake & Cake for Yule's Eve!

 *In Portugal we do it the Greasy Way*

on the 23rd my mother's kitchen was filled with delicious baking smells!

 pots and bags of ingredients were a plenty from across the table, and the excitement to prepare the typical foods and sweets had completely taken over us.

*Mother's Almond Pie* 

my mother was tired from work, and I had been going around the town gathering a few more supplies for a DIY project I have on the side, (more on that later) and even my father lend a hand!

me and him don't do activities together that often, so I was very happy that we could share this experience.

*Father helping out with the savoury starters*

as it is tradition in Portugal, on Christmas Eve the 24th, we dined boiled cod fish with a side of boiled grain, collard greens, potatoes and carrots, with olive oil, vinegar and chopped garlic to season.

to this dinner we call "Consoada" which comes from the latin "consolata" in the root word "consolare".

this term only appeared in the 17th century.

according to older traditions the table must not be cleaned and none of the plates or glasses should be washed, all of the left overs should stay on the table as a sign of respect for the dead relatives of the family, or for the baby Jesus to come and eat during the night.

 *Our Christmas Lunch*

I have never seen the latter but my grandfather remembers her mother doing this particular tradition.

they lived in a remote part of Portugal.

currently we only leave a table with food overnight if it is the one with all the appetizers, sweets, baked goods, and during the rest of the week that table will have food as long as people don't finish everything or the New Year approaches. 

I shall leave you with our three main dishes for Christmas (Yule) lunch!

yummy, am I right?

*Roasted Fat Chicken with Chestnut Stuffing and Lemon & Orange Sauce*

*Roasted Octopus with Fried Bacon and Mushrooms & Potatoes*

 *Rabbit Stew with Sweet Potatoes & Chestnut Gravy* 

I think I already miss Yule... sigh!