While Away? - No, But I'll Be Away A While

We are on our way and by the time you read this we'll be airborne. It's already been a busy year. We sold one house, bought another and have become well-acquainted with the building trades as we shape the new place to our own quirky taste. Tucked between the move and on-going renovations were two corneal transplants, a health scare or two and new friendships that needed to be forged and tended. Were I less a gypsy, a good book, a comfy chair and a roaring fire would make more sense, but I, make that we, have opted to visit some as yet unseen "far away places with strange sounding names." We'll be gone for 30 days on an adventure that will begin in Amsterdam and end in Paris. Most of our time will be spent in Spain and Morocco and for us this will be a "citified" vacation. While there will be lots of walking, there'll be no hikes or treks that require specialized clothes or equipment, and for the first time in years, I'll be able to board a plane with something other than Rockport hikers on my feet. Because we travel without notebooks or phones, daily features on One Perfect Bite will be pre-scheduled for release and for the duration of my time away, those posts will feature the best of the recipes that have made it to my personal rotation. While they vary in their level of difficulty and range in cost from downright cheap to lofty, they are all delicious and I really hope you'll give them a try.

In the past, their has been some curiosity as to how I pack for these long trips. It's become a point of honor for me not to pack more than I can carry and lift on my own. I must admit my suitcase gets smaller every year, but I've learned how to pack what I need in a surprisingly small amount of space, and if I continue on that course, and keep working on my upper arm strength I think I have another one or two of these trips left in me. At any rate, save for underwear and makeup, everything I need for the trip is displayed on the bed. Working from right to left you'll see a rain jacket, 5 quick-wash and dry sun-guard tops, 1 light-weight black sweater set, 1 red fleece top, 1 black knit tunic, black flexible flats, 1 pair sneakers, 2 pair of slacks (black and navy), 1 pair of jeans (white), 1 chain belt, 1 black leather belt, 1 black skirt, 1 red leotard, 1 black leotard, 1 scarf for mosque visits, and 1 black lace top to wear with slacks or skirt on more formal evenings.  All of this fits comfortably in a 24-inch suitcase,  though I do make it a point to wear the heaviest and most bulky items on the airplane. I must admit I often look like those immigrants of yore, but it works for me and it might work for you. Everything, and I mean everything,  I take is washable and I have done laundry in some very strange places, so it is important to take only those things that will dry quickly.  I'll be back in November with new recipes and some great additions for your holiday table. Till then...God bless.