This Heart of Mine

Oats are heart healthy. Steel cut oats are even healthier! So I made homemade oatmeal with steel cut oats!

Contrary to what you may think, they are quite tasty. The first time I tasted them I thought someone had slipped some honey into my bowl. They are that just naturally sweet!

So to celebrate both a healthy and happy heart to continue the Valentine's Day theme, check out "This Heart of Mine" sung by Sarah Vaughan.

HOMEMADE OATMEAL       

4 tablespoons steel cut oats

1 ½ cups water

Dash of salt

1. Put all ingredients in a large saucepan with high sides. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium. Occasionally stir the oats as the water is absorbed and cook for 12 minutes or until oats are somewhat tender. Do not let the oats boil over. Do not cover the saucepan.
2. Garnish with fresh fruit. 
3. Serves two to three people. 

Caramel Syrup: The Most!

What happens when you're at home, you're making waffles or French toast, then you go to the pantry and find there's not a drop of syrup in the house? You improvise and make you're own!

That's how this syrup was born. I looked up a few different kinds of syrup and combined varying amounts of some ingredients then added a couple of ingredients of my own, too.

I don't know if I'll ever buy syrup again! This syrup is the most delicious syrup I have ever eaten!

Continuing the Valentine-themed jazz songs, I came across a forgotten standard--at least, I'd forgotten about it until recently.

Of course, it's sung by Frank Sinatra and talks about the spousal relationship, with some contextual reference to mornings--which is why this delectable syrup reminded me of this song.

So check out "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" today and savor some marvelous syrup on your waffles tomorrow morning.

CARAMEL SYRUP FOR WAFFLES

1/3 cup corn syrup

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

½ cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Dash salt

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Stir constantly over medium heat. Allow to boil for one minute.
3. Remove from burner.
4. Allow to cool slightly if you want the syrup to be thicker. Once it is refrigerated in a sealable, microwaveable container, it will become very thick.
5. To use at a future time, microwave the syrup on half power for 30 seconds. Stir and microwave again on half power for 30 seconds if not warm enough initially.

Alright, Okay, You Win

I'm getting excited for BYU's Big Band Night on February 15! It's a wonderful evening when we pay tribute to all those who have and are currently serving in the armed forces. It includes a spectacular dance to big band music played by a real, live big band!

I love performing in it each year. And one of the songs I love to sing is "Alright, Okay, You Win." Here is this incredible song sung by the marvelous Peggy Lee!

My Heart Sings!

I love to sing! This should be evident since my undergrad work was in Jazz Studies, Vocal Emphasis. Unfortunately, now that I'm in law school, it is not as obvious as it used to be.  But I do have some gigs this semester.

Seriously, when I sing, my heart sings. There is something about performing that makes me feel alive! Romance has the same effect. So continuing the romantic jazz songs leading the way toward Valentine's Day, check out "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings" sung by Joya Sherrill with the Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra.