sybarites

Sammy was introduced to the concept of a beach today. He had never been before and didn’t really “get” the ocean. “What’s that smell? What’s that smell? Why is it moving around? What’s a seaweed?”

Anyway, because there was not a soul about, we dared to let him off his leash to run around. And boy, was there running. It was very windy, with the fog rolling in off the water in wisps so he would kind of blend into the background if he ran too far ahead. Fortunately, he’s too dim to know much about true freedom and so didn’t go very far or where he couldn’t see us. We visited two beaches on which he ran and ran and waded and chased and in the end, we had one very sandy, wet and tired puppy. And that was Sammy’s best day ever. (Soon to be followed by his very worst day ever when he is ‘abandoned’ by his people as they depart on their trip without him.)

My mother made this wonderful molasses bread for Janet and me. I couldn’t get enough. The molasses adds a lot of flavor, but doesn’t make the bread sweet. My mom said it should have risen more. Personally, I like a dense bread. It has more flavor per bite, and it feels hearty when eating it.

After covering the warm fresh bread in butter, I was hesitant to try it any other way. It would probably have toasted quite well. I didn’t want to take the risk.

I’ll need to adapt the recipe to bake it in the oven when we return next year. She made it in her bread machine.

Today we move from documenting our recipes to documenting our travels, from weekly menus to schedules. Our pots and pans are in boxes, our fridge is empty, our bags are packed. We will experience the culinary adventures of road-side stands and back alley restaurants. Our blog won’t be limited to epicurian delights and nerdly musings, but neither will it contain long rants about uncomfortable trains.

The last year has been the best of my life. I can’t remember being more happy, but my Buddhist readings tell me not be attached. There are even more exciting and fulfilling experiences to come.