Winter in Seattle has me in its grasp again. Somewhere in the middle of a dark afternoon, I find myself playing melodramatic songs that put me in a gloomy mood and then walk home in the rain, still listening to gloomy music. I’ve noticed it takes real effort to shake myself out of this mood. It sets in like quick sand, slowly and then before you look around and realize it, stuck in the mire shin deep. Three things get me out of this muck. 1. A good workout, sweaty like I’m in Flashdance and breathing like a wolf blowing down houses. 2. Sunshine. (If only I could control this!) 3. Good, upbeat music. Wonderful Wonderful did this for me this season. Honestly. I didn’t love the album all that much the first time I heard it. Some songs make me want to strut down the street, dancing and singing at the top of my lungs. Other songs, I could leave behind as if a soaked and broken umbrella. Ultimately, this album makes me want to run down Madison, my yellow galoshes hitting every puddle a la Singing in the the Rain. Thats how I know this album is a winner.
I really only started getting into this album a few weeks ago. Probably before we had seen the first glimmer of sun since before Christmas and well into the deep, darkness that surrounds January. When I say dark, I mean sun eliminated from the earth by 4 pm nightly. Go to work and come home from work in pitch black. Like the darkness that you imagine Father Christmas and Barbar experience as a child, all encompassing. I wouldn’t really have expected Wonderful Wonderful to call me forth from the darkness and yet something with a few of the upbeat songs, bright chords and hopeful mindset launched me into an optimistic mentality. This is why music is my lifeblood. What else has the power to change moods and uplift souls? So I’m strutting downtown, in the pouring rain and The Man comes on. With that instantly classic line “USDA certified lean” how could you not start seeing rainbows and sunshine? Even if it is reminiscent of a high school self, confident without even a second thought to what the future could bring. I’m bringing myself down slightly with this thought, perhaps a throwback to what the Killers thought of themselves leading up to their first album release?
Ultimately, this album isn’t an instant hit for the Killers in my opinion. Yet the songs that glimmer and get my feet moving, I’m all in for. Especially if some of these tunes can get me out of a mid-winter funk, I’m sold, for life. I enjoyed this album, I’m going let some of the less moving songs pass on by and I’m going to continue dancing to the ones I loved.
Before I forget – the food pairing. I’m not a big winter salad person. Eating less than stellar greens in the middle of a cold spell sounds as appealing as fish in the middle of the desert, This album had me feeling bright colors, high mood and clean, green “USDA certified lean” eating. Enter the classic winter salad with a slight twist. Mix all of the incredible winter citrus with some tart Powergreens, creamy pistachios and crisp pecorino, top with a vibrant olive oil and lime juice and enjoy. You will find that Wonderful Wonderful becomes not only the song but also the feeling in each bite.
Citrus Salad with Powergreens, Pistachios and Pecorino
Serves 2 (with extra citrus for lunches or snacks)
Ingredients
- 1 Pomelo, peeled, pith removed, and sliced crosswise 1⁄4” thick
- 1 grapefruit, peeled, pith removed, and sliced crosswise 1⁄4” thick
- 1 Cara Cara Orange (or blood orange), peeled, pith removed, and sliced crosswise 1⁄4” thick
- 1 Naval Orange, peeled, pith removed, and sliced crosswise 1⁄4” thick
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
- 1 bag of Powergreens* or mixed baby greens
- 2 tbsp pistachios
- 1 tbsp pecorino (10-12 very thin slices, 1 in x 1.5 inches)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme (optional)
Instructions
1. Cut and peel all of the citrus, juice the limes.
2. Mix the olive oil, white wine vinegar, lime juice, honey, salt, pepper and thyme well. Dress the bag of Powergreens until lightly coated, you may not use all of the dressing.
3. Top with the citrus, sprinkle with pistachios and pecorino. Sprinkle with lime zest and enjoy!
Notes
Simple, easy and incredibly versatile. If you can’t find a specific citrus, mix it up – aim for at least two varieties.