Passion

This blog is not going to be about what you think it will be when you first see the title. It is about passion, but not the romantic kind. Not in that sense anyway. It's about the passion we have for our children. The past week has been very challenging. Last night topped it off and today, there was intense fear and then resolution. There was a chance that Addison had been put into harms way, and obviously not by either of us. I cant begin to tell you, and if you're a parent, I dont have to, about the rage I felt. The passionate anger. It's tough to trust people with your children (omit family and close friends from that statement). Until at least, they're at an age where they can either defend themselves or tell you what's going on. Addison is not at that age yet. She's a sweet, trusting, defenseless toddler. And the thought that anyone could harm her, or, even disregard her basic needs, sends me into a tailspin.

We were fortunate today. The harm was not what we thought, but still a good deal of neglect. The guilt that goes with that is deep. We're here to protect her, and although we didnt cause the action, it was a small failure, I feel, on our part. Luckily, we're both pretty well in tune with Addison and our gut feelings, so there's nothing irrepairable

And still, I felt the intense passion of wanting to tear someone limb from limb. I've lived the past 18 years enforcing laws, so I would obviously never follow through on that, but, it's the closest I've ever been while not wearing a gun. Thank goodness for wonderful friends and family who embraced us and kept us sane for the day. We love you all very much.

The mother lion inside of me, would gladly eat someone whole for causing the slightest bit of damage to this little person who is my life. There was no rationale today. No reasoning. Just waiting. Waiting to know. Then once I knew, crushing guilt and passionate desire to go home and wrap Addison up. Which is exactly what I did. The passion I hold for this child, is unrivaled and overwhelming. I would give myself for her in a heartbeat.

And I hope to never feel it the way I did today, again in my life, or hers.

Apple Cake

Ok. So. I cook a lot. I bake. A lot. I love to do both. Well, tonight, I made one of the best things I've ever made. And it was simple. Figures. I like apple stuff. I dont love it, but I like it. I found this apple cake recipe, tweaked it a little and tried it out. LOVE it. I really put some tender lovin' care into it since it was so simple and apparently it paid off. So, I hope you enjoy it. Here's the recipe:

Simple Apple Cake

1/2 cup Extra Light Start Virgin olive oil
3 large apples, peeled, cored, quartered and cut into chunks
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups flour (I used half whole wheat, half unbleached white whole wheat)
1/4 teaspoon course salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Confectioners sugar, optional for serving

1 - Preheat oven to 350. Prep an 8 inch round cake pan. In a medium saucepan bring apples and 1/2 cup of water to a simmer over high. Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook until apples are very tender, 12 minutes. Mash apples with a whisk, stirring to dry the mixture slightly. Remove from heat.

2 - Whisk brown sugar into apples, then oil. Whisk in eggs, then flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

3 - Transfer batter to pan and bake until golden brown and a tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean. 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire reack for 20 minutes. Invert and let cake cool on rack. Enjoy.

Friday

Today is my Friday.
I have an empty blog.
Dont know what to say.
My head's in a fog.

My fingers are moving
across the black keys
Still cant come up with a thing
Someone help me please

The baby's sleeping
Hip hop horray
I did my workout, now what to say?

The dog is snoring
I'm watching Hell's Kitchen
I'm trying to blog
and quit all this bitchin'

Blog about food
or a jammin' new groove?
The length of this poem
or maybe a boob.
Nah, that's just rude.

My head is empty
Not a thing on my mind
So this will have to do
Until next time.

So long Sunday

Sundays are good for me. Work is usually slow, it's a good group of people, there's no traffic going in or coming home and it's just pleasant overall. I got to come home and see my wife and daughter, cook a great meal, workout, and spend a little down time. A very good end, to a very good day. So, I'll keep this as it is. Short. And good.