At work this week, I came across a webpage about academic integrity. Across the top of the page was a line by Sophocles – “Rather fail with honour, than succeed by fraud.”
I thought about how many times I’ve failed and how I’ve never, ever, considered failure in any way honourable.
And yet the truth is, it really is so much more noble to fail with honour than succeed by fraud. Sophocles just re-framed failure for me. And it’s kind of brilliant. It’s a whole new way of looking at both failure and success. And this from a man who was born in 496 BC. He was writing 2500 years ago – more or less. And he’s still making perfect sense.
Because I was reading about Sophocles, instead of cooking, I whipped up a salad for dinner. And to go with the salad, I used up the last of my Dijon mustard in this dressing – recipe below. The dressing tastes like Cross and Blackwell English Salad Cream – a taste out of my childhood – for those of you who know how that tastes. Delicious. I recommend serving it with a big salad of organic greens, good olives, hard-boiled eggs, cold sliced potatoes, and sliced avocado. Call it dinner.
Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup mayonnaise (I used Hellmann’s)
2 tbsp honey
Whisk the ingredients together and pour into a bottle. Will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.
♥ Jam Tart ♥ 
Damn delicious! Thanks for the recipe Mum, I am going to mix up a bottle this week – and I have an adorable little jar to mix it in 🙂
LOVE!
love love love….
Fab dressing and love the presentation! I also follow Brown Paper Belle blog – so fab. Finding chalkboard markers is driving me crazy! Tried everywhere…
I’ve looked all over too! If I find them – I’ll let you know.
Cool idea and love that quote. Your salad dressing sounds wonderful. Never tasted the Salad Cream but I do love a creamy dressing.
Thanks Suzanne – also love the quote and keep thinking about it. Sheds a new more positive light on failure! 😉
Sophocles and salad and mini blackboards from the land of Oz. Just simply outstanding. You go, grrrl, you ain’t failing!
Dave
Very sweet – thank you. I do my share and then some of failing but I do usually fail with honour.
I LOVE this dressing…. absolutely perfect!!! Well done Lindy!
Thanks Jennifer – so sweet.
That is such a brilliant idea- well both things are, the dressing and the chalkboards. I’ll have to give them both a try, although I’m less crafty more into cooking, so the dressing will probably come first.
Just home from work and saw your latest post – which I have to say – I love. Couldn’t agree more. Going over there now to say so….
Grief, I’ve missed this post as well. What’s going on with Yahoo??
Anyway, I was popping into your previous post when I spotted this. Have to confess, I’ve never liked salad cream. This, with home-made mayo (not being a snob but my system won’t deal with shop-bought) I would love, no doubt. And after my last post I really must make more of an effort to do dressings proper more often rather than chucking on some oil, vinegar and herbs unto my salads (which, incidentally I did tonight). Hypocrite that I am 🙂
Oh to be a proper chef! I’m not – obviously – and must confess – I haven’t made mayonnaise for years. And you;re not a hypocrite – oil and vinegar is the best. Balsamic and olive oil with a dash of maple syrup is my favourite – but I’m having a grand trip down memory lane with the dressing that so reminds me of Cross and Blackwell’s salad cream. It’s because I’m getting old…. 😉
Hi there! I just nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger award. You do not have to participate at all just know I love your blog and wanted to acknowledge your beautiful space. You can read more about it on my post . http://cottagegrovehouse.com/2013/07/27/kreativ-blogger-award/
Have a good day! 🙂
Thank you so much!! I can’t decide what to make of the blog awards but regardless am so honoured. I’m living the tiny white cottage in Seattle life vicariously through you and loving it. By the way – found this “tiny white house” in Oregon online the other day while researching for small house design plans… and thought of you. Lindy 😉
http://mechantdesign.blogspot.fr/2013/05/a-tiny-house.html
I’m indecisive about awards too. I decided to act on this one because of the showering of recognition all in one week! 🙂 And like you am honored and so appreciative of being recognized for all the work that goes into the blog. Ohmygosh…that tiny white house in Oregon is so gorgeous! My dream. We are in the middle of remodeling ours and I do see some similarities in both design and style. We too have the large wood paneling, not painted…but plans to paint it white! I love it and what a beautiful blog too. Do you live in a “small” house too? Just curious because you were searching for small house design plans…
That tiny white house is Oregon is my dream too!! Well, one of them. And I love good design. It’s funny because I really did think of you the second I saw it. I don’t live in a tiny house at the moment – but I’m about to. However it’s an old (1840s) limestone townhouse. It’s in need of love. Aren’t we all?!
haha. Indeed we are all in need…. 1840’s! That is old! I can not even picture it! Sounds so enchanting.
Where else would Sophocles and salad dressing meet on the same blog. I’ll be trying this recipe.
-Karen
Dear Karen – just visited you via blog-land and I want to come and frolic in your beautiful garden. Thanks as always for stopping by mine. Lindy
We’ve failed with honor a lot here! I have been trying to convince my grandkids,(10,9 &7), that passing the buck or covering their tail feathers are not acceptable, but to own-up and learn from their mistakes. That’s a tough lesson to teach.
And what an interesting use for chalkboard paint!
I’m not a mustard fan, but the Husband is.I will keep your recipe handy!
Tonette – it’s s a great lesson and one that most of have to keep re-learning! 😉