Rain Sends Me Straight To The Kitchen

Seattle. I find the whole rainy city thing to be a touch magical...Peaceful and calming, a steady rainfall is really something.

With nothing more than a window separating me from the sweltering heat outside, in a brief moment of whimsy earlier this summer, I had written the above in an e-mail.  My mind was wandering to cooler, more peaceful locales.  Today, my mind had no need to wander because it's been raining.  All day.  Exclamation point to the infinity power, guys.

Some people find summer intoxicating.  I love it for about two whole weeks and then I impatiently wait it out until the leaves start changing colors.  The cool rain that's still gloriously coming down outside is a welcome reminder that Labor Day is only a few weeks away.  Pretty soon, scarves will come out as well as shoes that cover my toes.  My work week will once again extend from five days to six -the mere thought makes me a little sad already- but in the evenings, there can be warm hearty soups followed by cozy nights under puffy comforters.  I cannot wait.  It's gonna be grand.

Today's cooling rain inspired me to throw something in the oven.  As the oven worked its way up to four hundred, I took some cornbread mix and tossed in some extras.  I diced up two jalapenos, some green onion, and even pulled down the cheese grater from the very top shelf.  Shredding a block of cheddar into small sprinkle-able ribbons is very satisfying work.  With the delicious smell of these muffins floating from the oven (eighteen minutes for standard-sized muffins), when Soeur shared the happy news that she successfully got a reservation at the esteemed French Laundry {+}, not a single iota of jealousy fluttered through my body.