Don't You Know Everything's Alright, Yes, Everything's Fine

A day off and spa day.  Thanks to gifts sent from my sister T months ago, I've enjoyed several spa days off, with face, lip, eye and foot masks, hand scrubs and general self care.

Deniz Restaurant Take out Lunch Specials - Always extraordinary tasting chicken and tabule.

In seeing more displaced immigrants living on the streets near our apartment and my work, I'm struck by just how lucky many of us are to enjoy these small, inexpensive luxuries in our lives.  By some small grace a lot of us goofballs ended up with computers and bank accounts, kitties and the ability to apply mud to our faces in order to make them smoother while enjoying delicious fare made by other hard working lucky schmucks. 

A new gift from my sister, an alleged ancient miracle mask unearthed by TikTok. I've done it once and it feels wonderful afterwards.  I would never think to put apple cider vinegar on my face, but do love it in a salad and turns out, its an excellent astringent.  

Lefty the cat, sweet....only when he's sleeping 

Be Thankful, For What You Got

This was supposed to be corn and black bean salad, which is very vibrant and pretty to look at.  The small white beans tasted just fine but the presentation wasn't the same.  You really do eat with your eyes too.

Corn & Black Bean Salad:

In a large bowl combine

• 1/2 pkg of frozen corn, thawed
• 1 can black beans
• large tomato diced
• small diced jalapeno
• cilantro 
• s&p, fresh squeezed lemon or lime, a little olive oil.

Let marry on the counter for a few.  This is super good with roast chicken.

I reached out to my sister T, whom I hadn't spoken in quite a long while.  She lives in Floreedah.  She sent me these Irish crystal candleholders as a wedding gift.  I realized quickly that my funky New York apartment was not the kind of place for these beauties. But not one to waste, I quickly cleared my book ridden fireplace of all clutter and unnecessary tchotchkes and prominently featured them on the mantle.  This one bit of brick and fireplace is the only real architectural detail in this white-walled rental.  It doesn't work, and it doesn't even look that good but when it's the only thing...you learn to like it.

The shiny black beans are the best thing for this salad but if you don't have them, still make it and use any small bean because it will taste just as good just not be as visually appealing.