Simply Authentic...Your Soul Voice is Calling. The Beauty of Matching Silverware

The Beauty of Matching Silverware I just had a rare weekend to myself while my partner was flying kites for two and a half days at the Rockaway Beach Kite Festival. He came home windswept, a little sunburned, slightly injured, and very happy. And I, a woman who cherishes and jealously guards her time alone, was thrilled to see him after two and a half days apart. I didn’t spend as much time in meditation and journaling as I had planned for my solo weekend, but I did engage in a lot of walking, reading, snuggling with Lady Jane the cat, watching chick flicks to my heart’s content and cooking. Saturday I strapped on a back pack and walked to the grocery store for dinner supplies, including a ridiculously expensive ribeye to marinate and put on the grill. I’m always baffled when people say they don’t cook just for themselves. I love making myself a special meal. This one was exquisite; I’ll include recipes below for the culinary artists among us. But the task I’m most proud of is buying new silverware. Allow me to explain… It seems the older I get, the more I feel the energy of spaces. For example, I don’t sleep as well when I’m in someone’s guest room with stuff (ie, rolls of wrapping paper, rarely used luggage, fishing poles…rifles…) stored under the bed. A few weeks ago, I listened to a free Feng Shui tele-class by Kate Northrup (www.katenorthrup.com.) The very next day I: 1) Cleared out a cluttered dresser in the master bedroom (an area which, in our house, corresponds to the wealth section of your basic Bagua.) 2) Moved the desk and futon in my home office so the desk is in the back of the room facing the door, rather than in the middle up against a wall. I could not believe how different it felt, immediately – new life had been breathed into our home with just a couple minor changes! Then one of my fellow Toastmasters, Melissa, gave a speech called Hooray for Feng Shui – which garnered her a speech contest spot – and after listening to her, I pulled out a book I purchased years ago and never finished, Creating Sacred Space with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. It’s awesome! So…about the silverware. George and I moved into this house together last March, and every time I opened the silverware drawer I’d find this mish mash of unmatched forks, spoons and knives…all different sizes, shapes and colors…and my energy would drop. I didn’t like the way I felt opening that drawer, or how the table looked when we had guests. And I don’t always want to pull out the “real” silver – I just wanted a decent set of matching “everyday” silverware. So, I went out and got some, and I didn’t have to go far. Crate and Barrel had four standard options, which made it easy – I knew exactly which one would be most pleasing to me and George. I got two boxes – enough for eight place settings. For some reason (nothing was on sale that I could see) the cashier gave me a random 20% discount. I checked with George about any pieces from the old mish mash he specifically used and wanted to keep (four items) and drove to Value Village to make an Arc donation of silverware and a large bag of clothing items I’d been compiling. And that was the end of the silverware mish mash and clothing that doesn’t fit me or I don’t wear anymore. I like what I see when I open that drawer now, so does George, and the energy in our home was just ratcheted up a notch. Hallellujah! (Can you hear the angels singing?!) Your situation may be different. You may purposefully collect pieces of odd silverware and create an intentional mish mash…which I will love when you invite me over for dinner. The key is to tap into how you feel energetically about the items in your home, silverware drawer, under the bed. Your authentic self will thank you for noticing and paying attention. The Best Twice Baked Potatoes I’ve Ever Made: After baking large russets at 375 for an hour, let cool, slice lengthwise, scoop out insides and put in mixing bowl. Add butter, sour cream, snipped fresh dill, drained and well dried pimento, seasoning salt, a touch of garlic powder, freshly ground pepper, and grated gruyere cheese. Mix well with mixer and spoon into potato shells. Bake at 350 for about a half hour. This dressing recipe comes from The Pollan Family Table cookbook, Pollan signature salad: -1/3 C white balsamic vinegar -1 TBSP raspberry vinegar, champagne vinegar, or sherry vinegar -1 ½ tsp Dijon mustard -1/3 grapeseed oil -2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil -Sea salt -Freshly ground black pepper In a glass jar with lid or small mixing bowl, combine the vinegars, mustard, grapeseed oil, olive oil, 1/8 tsp salt, and pepper to taste. Shake jar vigorously or whisk in bowl to emulsify. Salad ingredients I had on hand: Chopped romaine lettuce, carrot whisks (from a veggie peeler), chopped bell pepper, chopped cantaloupe, diced tomato, sliced celery, glazed cashews. Yum! Authentically Yours, Laura