Pagan Values Month: Litha

How to become the most popular employee at work? Bring in brownies. And yes, this does have something to do with the solstice. :)

Two days ago on Litha (aka summer solstice) I didn't have any plans. I had been working for the sixth day straight because that's just how my ever changing schedule worked out since last week my days off were in the middle of the week and this week they're later. In fairness, I have been taking enough sick days recently that my employer probably didn't expect me to make it that long without calling in sick. In truth, neither did I. Apparently I'm getting better.

But back to solstice. I didn't have anything planned, and was really tired. I mean, really tired. But I somehow found the energy to cook. So cooking turned into my celebration.

My dinner

The marinade ingredients

I experimented with marinating for the first time, using sake with some soy sauce and a bit of ginger and garlic powder. I marinated chicken and mushrooms for about two hours before cooking. It was delicious. I also cooked some potato slices later, and together they made for a delicious lunch the next day.

But the brownies...oh the brownies. Yum.

You see, I have a secret ingredient in cooking brownies: cayenne pepper. Actually that's my boyfriend's secret ingredient, but I stole it from him. It makes brownies so delicious that coworkers kept complimenting me, and one even asked for the recipe.

So that's I celebrated my solstice: cooking. And it made me very popular at work the next day. :)