January--Went cross-country skiing for the first time.
February--Ran lights and sound for a production at a local theater company (another first).
April--Spent two weeks studying Spanish in Costa Rica.
May--Ran my first 5K (with IM). Turned 40.
August--Moved out of the inn. Both the inn and the house survived Hurricane Irene.
September--Attended a surprise birthday party for my best friend from first grade.
October--Spent a weekend in NYC with Michael and two of our good friends from Utah.
November--Attended a professional conference in Austin. The family spent Thanksgiving in Oregon with my parents and my brother's family.
December--Spent a week in Ireland with Michael's sister Wendy. Enjoyed the most relaxing holiday week I've had in years.
My reading was down a bit this year. I read 35 published books, plus three that came to me through Michael's agenting, and several more of Michael's that I proofread. Although my reading this year contained a fair bit of fluff, I also read several books that have been on my To Read list for years.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
More Spanish Lessons
LW has a weekly Spanish session with a woman from Argentina. Every lesson starts with him reciting a story from one of his picture books. Usually Michael helps him learn the story and I take him to class, but this week we switched.
I read a line of the story, and LW repeated it. Part way through, he turned to me and said in surprise, "You're getting better at this!"
On our second pass through the book, however, he decided it was time to work on my accent.
Me: Tres mariquitas, pero, donde esta el gato?
LW: Tr-tr-tr-tres (pauses to shoot me a meaningful look) I'm saying this for you.
As if there was any doubt.
I read a line of the story, and LW repeated it. Part way through, he turned to me and said in surprise, "You're getting better at this!"
On our second pass through the book, however, he decided it was time to work on my accent.
Me: Tres mariquitas, pero, donde esta el gato?
LW: Tr-tr-tr-tres (pauses to shoot me a meaningful look) I'm saying this for you.
As if there was any doubt.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Me, the Valley, and Irene
From our house on the hill, Irene seemed like just another rainy day. During an evening walk, we noticed that the brook was rushing and dangerous, but if it weren't for Facebook we would have had no idea of the seriousness of the storm.
Just as we were going to bed, we lost power and the generator kicked in. Things I've learned so far about our generator:
- It is LOUD.
- Not all outlets are connected to the generator.
- The outlets for my bedside lamp and the alarm clock are not on the generator but the overhead lights in the bedroom are.
- The outlet under Michael's desk is NOT on the generator.
- The outlet under my desk is.
We woke up to no phone or internet service, and after an hour we couldn't stand not knowing how the inn was doing and Michael headed off to find out. A trip that usually takes 20 minutes took 2 hours, as he ran into one closed road after another and was forced to backtrack and find an alternate route. I had phone and internet back long before he reached the inn. Thankfully, the inn is fine. As is the sketchy-looking bridge to the north of the inn, which has reopened after being closed for fear it was being undermined.
It turns out Facebook is extremely useful in a situation like this. People are sharing news of road closures and tips on how to get to X from Y. A lost dog was reunited with its owner thanks to someone who recognized the posted picture. Those in need of volunteers are able to post what they need and when.
I was both touched and amused when I logged in to work today to find that my large corporate employer wanted me to log in to a special web page and tell them if I was not safe, safe, safe and able to help others, or none of the above. What are the odds that if I were not safe I would be able to log in to my work email account to get the link to the web page?
This is what we come to if we turn right out of the driveway:
There is a second culvert that is threatening to wash out just past this one, but the nice man from the road crew said they are hoping to get them both fixed by the end of the day tomorrow.
If we turn left out of the driveway, we connect to a state road with things like this:
Yes, that's a large tree blocking the right lane. But since this is in between two closed bridges (one totally washed away and one that has been seriously undermined) and since this same lane completely collapses for about 20 feet half a mile up the road from the tree, removing it isn't high on anyone's list.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Moving Days 2-5
Wednesday--To be honest, I'm grateful this day has already faded into a blur. I can tell from the bruises and sore muscles that we moved a ton of furniture and boxes. EM stepped up to the plate and functioned as a grown-up, which made the whole day possible, although I can't say we all stayed cheerful. We slept on the floor at the inn that night, since we had arranged for the new innkeeper to move in on Thursday.
Thursday--Michael and EM took one last load to the house in the U-Haul truck. That load looked less like an organized move and more like an emergency evacuation, with assorted good crammed in laundry baskets and plastic totes. Despite lofty goals to have beds assembled, the kitchen organized, and bathrooms cleaned, the three older kids slept on mattresses on the floor.
Friday--Michael and I were back at work from our lovely new office. I drove down to the inn for an hour in the morning to review some of the paperwork and computer systems and retrieve a few left items. In the afternoon, we tried out the pool, only to discover that the heater isn't on and there seems to be a trick to starting it that we haven't discovered. Fortunately, the day was warm enough that a cold pool was refreshing. (We have a call in to the pool guy to arrange for a time for him to walk us through the systems.)
Saturday--After helping with the initial early breakfast rush at the inn, I drove the kids to the city to return IM's trumpet (she's decided it is not the instrument for her), buy a few last items for school, and replace some household things that stayed at the inn. Shopping trips exhaust me on a good day. The Saturday before school starts, when all the college students are moving into their dorm rooms and apartments, AND everyone is stocking up on essentials in advance of the hurricane? Clearly Dante needed a new level of hell. However, the unpacking continues at a steady pace, I successfully ran a load through the new-to-me front-loading washer, and the kids and I shuffled boxes around in the garage to make room for the car. (I figure if there is a day to park inside, it's the day the hurricane hits.
There is a lot more work ahead of us, but we are enjoying the process.
Thursday--Michael and EM took one last load to the house in the U-Haul truck. That load looked less like an organized move and more like an emergency evacuation, with assorted good crammed in laundry baskets and plastic totes. Despite lofty goals to have beds assembled, the kitchen organized, and bathrooms cleaned, the three older kids slept on mattresses on the floor.
Friday--Michael and I were back at work from our lovely new office. I drove down to the inn for an hour in the morning to review some of the paperwork and computer systems and retrieve a few left items. In the afternoon, we tried out the pool, only to discover that the heater isn't on and there seems to be a trick to starting it that we haven't discovered. Fortunately, the day was warm enough that a cold pool was refreshing. (We have a call in to the pool guy to arrange for a time for him to walk us through the systems.)
Saturday--After helping with the initial early breakfast rush at the inn, I drove the kids to the city to return IM's trumpet (she's decided it is not the instrument for her), buy a few last items for school, and replace some household things that stayed at the inn. Shopping trips exhaust me on a good day. The Saturday before school starts, when all the college students are moving into their dorm rooms and apartments, AND everyone is stocking up on essentials in advance of the hurricane? Clearly Dante needed a new level of hell. However, the unpacking continues at a steady pace, I successfully ran a load through the new-to-me front-loading washer, and the kids and I shuffled boxes around in the garage to make room for the car. (I figure if there is a day to park inside, it's the day the hurricane hits.
There is a lot more work ahead of us, but we are enjoying the process.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Moving Day 1 by the Numbers
Number of Pilot loads of boxes taken to the new house: 3 (plus 2 yesterday)
Number of hours the one-and-only key to the new house was lost: 3.5
Number of times I emptied the water on the carpet cleaner: 6
Number of books left at the new house by the previous owners: 800?
Number of books we tossed: an uncomfortably high number
Number of hours the one-and-only key to the new house was lost: 3.5
Number of times I emptied the water on the carpet cleaner: 6
Number of books left at the new house by the previous owners: 800?
Number of books we tossed: an uncomfortably high number
Monday, August 22, 2011
We Are Homeowners Again
We closed on our new house today. For the first time in almost eight years, we own a home that is not a business. I have been looking forward to this moment for . . . almost eight years.
And yet, my overwhelming feeling tonight is not elation or excitement, but exhaustion.
We first saw the house during Memorial Day weekend and made an offer within the week. That was when simple and easy ended. I hadn't realized fully how stressed I was until I walked out of the attorney's office with the key in my hand.
Hopefully, I'll snap back to normal by tomorrow morning, because we have a lot to do!
And yet, my overwhelming feeling tonight is not elation or excitement, but exhaustion.
We first saw the house during Memorial Day weekend and made an offer within the week. That was when simple and easy ended. I hadn't realized fully how stressed I was until I walked out of the attorney's office with the key in my hand.
Hopefully, I'll snap back to normal by tomorrow morning, because we have a lot to do!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Spring and Summer Reading
Whose Body?--This is my first Dorothy Sayers novel. A light, enjoyable read. There is nothing here to compel me to read more in the series, but I wouldn't avoid reading more if I stumble across them.
Three Cups of Tea--Yes, I know. The rest of the world read this one years ago. A great story of someone who is making a difference instead of standing around wishing someone would do something.
The Butterfly Mosque--The story of an American woman who moved to Egypt, converted from atheism to Islam, and married an Egyptian Muslim. I find stories of people's faith journeys fascinating, and this was no exception. I was surprised by how easy it was to understand what drew her to Islam:
It had to be a faith that didn't need to struggle to explain why bad things happen to good people, a faith in which it was understood that destruction is implicit in creation. I had a faint attraction to Buddhism, but Buddhism was not theist enough; the role of God was obscure or absent. I would have liked to be a Christian. My life would have been much easier if I could stomach the Trinity and inherited sin, or the idea that God had a son. Judaism was a near perfect fit, but it was created for a single tribe of people. 12
And although parts of the book were a trip to a foreign land and foreign minds, I laughed out loud at her thoughts on housekeeping:
The idea that housework was demeaning and oppressive had been drilled into me from such a young age and from so many sources that I could not remember where I first came across it. I believed it, and took the maxim to the next logical step: if housework was demeaning and oppressive, it must also be unnecessary. I was confused when the kitchenette in my college apartment got dirty. When dust bunnies accumulated under the bed, I had an uneasy feeling that the world was not functioning as it should. If people were not meant to clean, cleanliness should not require people. 203
The Actor and the Housewife--I had seen this recommended as a fun, light read, so I bought it for my Kindle before I left for Costa Rica. Although I quite enjoyed the author's young adult novels, I found this book highly irritating. I am pretty sure this is a trunk story, written before her later successes. It emphasizes the most annoying and juvenile aspects of Utah Mormon culture, and I had a very difficult time liking the main character. This might be the worst book of the year.
Sabriel--EM recommended this series to me. He owns the second and third books, but not the first, so I added this to my Kindle list for vacation reading. A well-written young adult fantasy novel. I was sorry I didn't have the rest of the series with me.
Raisin in the Sun--EM brought this one to Costa Rica as part of his assigned school reading. Once he was finished, I read it. I almost never read plays these days, but this one reminded me of why I enjoyed reading them when I was a teen. Raisin in the Sun is a family drama that reminds me of Arthur Miller and Eugene O'Neill.
Something Borrowed--I was in the mood for chick lit, so I chose this somewhat at random from the list of top-selling Kindle books. It was entertaining. There is apparently a sequel, but since it's written from the point of view of the most annoying character in this book, I have no intention of reading it.
Take the Monkeys and Run--Michael suggested this as a good indie book for my Kindle. A housewife married to a George Clooney lookalike gets involved in taking down the mob. If you can suspend your disbelief, it's a fun read. There are definitely a few places where a good editor could have improved the book, but overall it is competently written.
The Brothers Karamazov--My freshman year of college, this was my assigned reading for Christmas break, and I never finished it. To my knowledge, this is the only work of fiction I was ever assigned to read that I failed to complete. It's been niggling away at me ever since. So this year I decided to prove that twenty years of aging is all I needed to enjoy Russian novels. Sadly, that did not prove to be true. There is just something un-Russian about my mind and soul, apparently. However, I did finish it. And I enjoyed parts of it. If anyone has a good explanation for the subplot involving the boy who died, I'd love to hear it. I don't see how it connects to the main plot, which makes me wonder why it is in there at all.
Comeback America--A quick non-partisan read about the financial mess our country is in and how we can get out of it. This should be required reading for all elected officials, government workers and potential voters.
In addition to these books, I've also proofread four of Michael's novels (one needed two reads) and one novella.
Three Cups of Tea--Yes, I know. The rest of the world read this one years ago. A great story of someone who is making a difference instead of standing around wishing someone would do something.
The Butterfly Mosque--The story of an American woman who moved to Egypt, converted from atheism to Islam, and married an Egyptian Muslim. I find stories of people's faith journeys fascinating, and this was no exception. I was surprised by how easy it was to understand what drew her to Islam:
It had to be a faith that didn't need to struggle to explain why bad things happen to good people, a faith in which it was understood that destruction is implicit in creation. I had a faint attraction to Buddhism, but Buddhism was not theist enough; the role of God was obscure or absent. I would have liked to be a Christian. My life would have been much easier if I could stomach the Trinity and inherited sin, or the idea that God had a son. Judaism was a near perfect fit, but it was created for a single tribe of people. 12
And although parts of the book were a trip to a foreign land and foreign minds, I laughed out loud at her thoughts on housekeeping:
The idea that housework was demeaning and oppressive had been drilled into me from such a young age and from so many sources that I could not remember where I first came across it. I believed it, and took the maxim to the next logical step: if housework was demeaning and oppressive, it must also be unnecessary. I was confused when the kitchenette in my college apartment got dirty. When dust bunnies accumulated under the bed, I had an uneasy feeling that the world was not functioning as it should. If people were not meant to clean, cleanliness should not require people. 203
The Actor and the Housewife--I had seen this recommended as a fun, light read, so I bought it for my Kindle before I left for Costa Rica. Although I quite enjoyed the author's young adult novels, I found this book highly irritating. I am pretty sure this is a trunk story, written before her later successes. It emphasizes the most annoying and juvenile aspects of Utah Mormon culture, and I had a very difficult time liking the main character. This might be the worst book of the year.
Sabriel--EM recommended this series to me. He owns the second and third books, but not the first, so I added this to my Kindle list for vacation reading. A well-written young adult fantasy novel. I was sorry I didn't have the rest of the series with me.
Raisin in the Sun--EM brought this one to Costa Rica as part of his assigned school reading. Once he was finished, I read it. I almost never read plays these days, but this one reminded me of why I enjoyed reading them when I was a teen. Raisin in the Sun is a family drama that reminds me of Arthur Miller and Eugene O'Neill.
Something Borrowed--I was in the mood for chick lit, so I chose this somewhat at random from the list of top-selling Kindle books. It was entertaining. There is apparently a sequel, but since it's written from the point of view of the most annoying character in this book, I have no intention of reading it.
Take the Monkeys and Run--Michael suggested this as a good indie book for my Kindle. A housewife married to a George Clooney lookalike gets involved in taking down the mob. If you can suspend your disbelief, it's a fun read. There are definitely a few places where a good editor could have improved the book, but overall it is competently written.
The Brothers Karamazov--My freshman year of college, this was my assigned reading for Christmas break, and I never finished it. To my knowledge, this is the only work of fiction I was ever assigned to read that I failed to complete. It's been niggling away at me ever since. So this year I decided to prove that twenty years of aging is all I needed to enjoy Russian novels. Sadly, that did not prove to be true. There is just something un-Russian about my mind and soul, apparently. However, I did finish it. And I enjoyed parts of it. If anyone has a good explanation for the subplot involving the boy who died, I'd love to hear it. I don't see how it connects to the main plot, which makes me wonder why it is in there at all.
Comeback America--A quick non-partisan read about the financial mess our country is in and how we can get out of it. This should be required reading for all elected officials, government workers and potential voters.
In addition to these books, I've also proofread four of Michael's novels (one needed two reads) and one novella.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Portrait
LW brought this portrait home from preschool months ago. It's been taped to my desk hutch ever since, but it's getting a bit beat up. Now that we have a scanner, I decided to preserve it electronically, which also means I can share it with all of you.
Eight (!) Spring and Summer Soups
I'm not cooking soup today (Michael's in Toronto on his yearly writing retreat and it's been so blasted hot I am not turning on the stove), so I decided to play catch-up on writing about soup.
Emily's Springtime Salmon Chowder--This is a quick and easy soup with potato, onion, garlic, and asparagus in addition to cream and salmon. Yum. Five thumbs up. There is a note that you can also add snow peas, which I think I will do next year.
Sweet Pea Soup with Early Chives--Some weeks, you worry about the soup. This was one of those weeks. Michael is not a fan of split pea soup, and it's not one of my favorites either, so I was not expecting to like a pea soup without even the benefit of ham. (Although the suggested side dish, Green Bean, Cherry Tomato and Bacon Salad, sounded like it would be tasty even if the soup wasn't.) I also wimped out slightly and used the ground nutmeg in my cupboard, instead of the freshly-grated whole nutmeg I was supposed to use. I remained skeptical even as I set the soup on the table. It's green. Vivid green. And yet, when all was said and done, pretty tasty. Five thumbs hovering between so-so and up. Not one I'll probably add to the menu next year, but one I might pull out if I find myself with five cups of fresh peas I don't know what to do with. (The salad, however, will be served more regularly.)
I skipped the next week, because we spent the weekend in the Adirondacks.
Penne, Asparagus, and Peas in Parmesan Broth--For this soup, the author recommends augmenting store-bought chicken broth by simmering vegetables, herbs, and a Parmesan cheese rind to infuse the broth with more flavor. It required a little more planning, but it definitely added to the flavor of the soup. This soup is great comfort food, with the crisped prosciutto on top adding a nice touch. Five thumbs up.
Paella Soup--Michael loved paella when we were in Spain, so I switched things around to serve this on Father's Day. He, EM, and IM loved it. (I can't remember how NB voted.) I didn't, although I'm not sure why. It's stuffed full of yummy ingredients--shrimp, chicken, chorizo, and white wine. Maybe it was the ghost of bad Spanish food past getting in the way of my taste buds.
Thai-Style Lemongrass Soup with Shrimp--EM looked at me like I had two heads when I said I didn't like this soup, but I didn't. (I'm not sure EM has met seafood he didn't find tasty.) I think the problem was that you are supposed to simmer the broth with lemongrass and lime slices. Since I couldn't find lemongrass even at the big Shaw's, I substituted lemon slices to go with the lime slices. There was an aftertaste to the broth that I found unpleasant. Michael, EM, and IM were thumbs up. NB and I were thumbs down. I would be willing to try this one again if I ever find myself in possession of some lemongrass.
Avocado Soup with Fresh Tomato Salsa--This was the first of the cold summer soups. It is essentially liquid guacamole, and therefore quite tasty. It doesn't really feel like dinner though, more like a dip for tortilla chips. As a dip, it got four thumbs up. (EM detests avocado, a weird blip in an otherwise sophisticated palate.) As a soup, we didn't quite know what to think.
Icy Cucumber Soup with Smoked Salmon and Dill--Michael is not a fan of cold soup, so he preferred to heat his up in the microwave after the first bite or two. He said it's good that way. I thought it was quite tasty chilled, as it is meant to be served. I wouldn't mind having it again. Three thumbs up, one shrug (NB), and one thumbs-up if heated.
Victorine's Gazpacho--Delicious, especially since I was able to get the tomatoes, green peppers and green onions at the farmer's market. I will definitely make this next summer. Five thumbs up. I served it with Crab and Avocado Sandwiches, which were also tasty. Even EM liked them, as he said the crab covered up the taste of the avocado.
There you have it. We are all caught up.
Emily's Springtime Salmon Chowder--This is a quick and easy soup with potato, onion, garlic, and asparagus in addition to cream and salmon. Yum. Five thumbs up. There is a note that you can also add snow peas, which I think I will do next year.
Sweet Pea Soup with Early Chives--Some weeks, you worry about the soup. This was one of those weeks. Michael is not a fan of split pea soup, and it's not one of my favorites either, so I was not expecting to like a pea soup without even the benefit of ham. (Although the suggested side dish, Green Bean, Cherry Tomato and Bacon Salad, sounded like it would be tasty even if the soup wasn't.) I also wimped out slightly and used the ground nutmeg in my cupboard, instead of the freshly-grated whole nutmeg I was supposed to use. I remained skeptical even as I set the soup on the table. It's green. Vivid green. And yet, when all was said and done, pretty tasty. Five thumbs hovering between so-so and up. Not one I'll probably add to the menu next year, but one I might pull out if I find myself with five cups of fresh peas I don't know what to do with. (The salad, however, will be served more regularly.)
I skipped the next week, because we spent the weekend in the Adirondacks.
Penne, Asparagus, and Peas in Parmesan Broth--For this soup, the author recommends augmenting store-bought chicken broth by simmering vegetables, herbs, and a Parmesan cheese rind to infuse the broth with more flavor. It required a little more planning, but it definitely added to the flavor of the soup. This soup is great comfort food, with the crisped prosciutto on top adding a nice touch. Five thumbs up.
Paella Soup--Michael loved paella when we were in Spain, so I switched things around to serve this on Father's Day. He, EM, and IM loved it. (I can't remember how NB voted.) I didn't, although I'm not sure why. It's stuffed full of yummy ingredients--shrimp, chicken, chorizo, and white wine. Maybe it was the ghost of bad Spanish food past getting in the way of my taste buds.
Thai-Style Lemongrass Soup with Shrimp--EM looked at me like I had two heads when I said I didn't like this soup, but I didn't. (I'm not sure EM has met seafood he didn't find tasty.) I think the problem was that you are supposed to simmer the broth with lemongrass and lime slices. Since I couldn't find lemongrass even at the big Shaw's, I substituted lemon slices to go with the lime slices. There was an aftertaste to the broth that I found unpleasant. Michael, EM, and IM were thumbs up. NB and I were thumbs down. I would be willing to try this one again if I ever find myself in possession of some lemongrass.
Avocado Soup with Fresh Tomato Salsa--This was the first of the cold summer soups. It is essentially liquid guacamole, and therefore quite tasty. It doesn't really feel like dinner though, more like a dip for tortilla chips. As a dip, it got four thumbs up. (EM detests avocado, a weird blip in an otherwise sophisticated palate.) As a soup, we didn't quite know what to think.
Icy Cucumber Soup with Smoked Salmon and Dill--Michael is not a fan of cold soup, so he preferred to heat his up in the microwave after the first bite or two. He said it's good that way. I thought it was quite tasty chilled, as it is meant to be served. I wouldn't mind having it again. Three thumbs up, one shrug (NB), and one thumbs-up if heated.
Victorine's Gazpacho--Delicious, especially since I was able to get the tomatoes, green peppers and green onions at the farmer's market. I will definitely make this next summer. Five thumbs up. I served it with Crab and Avocado Sandwiches, which were also tasty. Even EM liked them, as he said the crab covered up the taste of the avocado.
There you have it. We are all caught up.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Weekend in the Adirondacks
We needed to leave town last weekend to give our then-prospective innkeeper a chance to try out the job (we've since finalized the arrangement), so we packed the kids up after school on Friday and headed for the Adirondacks.
We stayed in a cabin at a KOA campground near Lake Placid. Saturday we walked through High Falls Gorge and then spent a couple of hours at the WILD Center. I was lured there by the promise of otters, one of my favorite animals to watch. They were entertaining as always, but the surprise star of the trip was this creature:
They brought her out so she could eat her lunch in front of an audience. Did you know that porcupines eat corn on the cob the way people do? She held it in her hands, ate across one row, turned the cob, ate across one row, and so forth. Her method of rifling through the contents of her bowl looking for something tasty also looked very human.
Sunday morning we went hiking at Ausable Chasm. LW still has a way to go before he's a great hiker, but we are hoping to give him more practice once we are not living at the inn.
We stayed in a cabin at a KOA campground near Lake Placid. Saturday we walked through High Falls Gorge and then spent a couple of hours at the WILD Center. I was lured there by the promise of otters, one of my favorite animals to watch. They were entertaining as always, but the surprise star of the trip was this creature:
They brought her out so she could eat her lunch in front of an audience. Did you know that porcupines eat corn on the cob the way people do? She held it in her hands, ate across one row, turned the cob, ate across one row, and so forth. Her method of rifling through the contents of her bowl looking for something tasty also looked very human.
Sunday morning we went hiking at Ausable Chasm. LW still has a way to go before he's a great hiker, but we are hoping to give him more practice once we are not living at the inn.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Four Sunday Soups
The last two weeks of March, I made Mama Veli's Pozole soup and Black Bean Soup with a Hint of Orange.
Michael loves pozole, so he was happy to see this on the menu. I'm pretty sure this was the first time I'd cooked with fresh tomatillos. The soup was more involved than some, but the end result was tasty (five thumbs up) and I plan on making it again next year.
Black Bean Soup with a Hint of Orange was tasty, but the hint of orange was so hinty I couldn't taste it. And since that was the main difference between this soup and the black bean soup I've had for years, I don't know if I'll make it again, despite its five thumbs up. I did gain a recipe from this week, however. The Red, Yellow, and Orange Pepper Salad with Tequila-Lime Dressing was delicious.
We skipped soup for the month of April, since I was either cooking for just EM and I or in Costa Rica. Now we are into spring soups.
Last week's soup was Spring Risotto Soup, a mound of risotto covered with chicken broth containing mushrooms, snap peas, and green onions. I love risotto and I thought this soup was fantastic, the perfect comfort food when a spring cold comes knocking. (Side note: the Kindle is great for reading while you are stirring, stirring, stirring.) EM and IM also loved it. NB and Michael, however, gave it a sideways thumb. I told Michael I love it enough that I plan on making it next year anyway.
Today's soup was Dreamy Creamy Artichoke Soup, served with Watercress Salad with Red Onion and Chopped Egg Vinaigrette. Michael this is a yummy simple soup--just leeks, butter, frozen artichoke hearts, chicken stock, cream and Parmesan. Only three of us ate it (NB and IM were full of pizza from a birthday party) but we all liked it. The salad was good too, although I couldn't find watercress and substituted mixed spring greens instead. I need to find a watercress source soon, because watercress soup is coming up in June.
Michael loves pozole, so he was happy to see this on the menu. I'm pretty sure this was the first time I'd cooked with fresh tomatillos. The soup was more involved than some, but the end result was tasty (five thumbs up) and I plan on making it again next year.
Black Bean Soup with a Hint of Orange was tasty, but the hint of orange was so hinty I couldn't taste it. And since that was the main difference between this soup and the black bean soup I've had for years, I don't know if I'll make it again, despite its five thumbs up. I did gain a recipe from this week, however. The Red, Yellow, and Orange Pepper Salad with Tequila-Lime Dressing was delicious.
We skipped soup for the month of April, since I was either cooking for just EM and I or in Costa Rica. Now we are into spring soups.
Last week's soup was Spring Risotto Soup, a mound of risotto covered with chicken broth containing mushrooms, snap peas, and green onions. I love risotto and I thought this soup was fantastic, the perfect comfort food when a spring cold comes knocking. (Side note: the Kindle is great for reading while you are stirring, stirring, stirring.) EM and IM also loved it. NB and Michael, however, gave it a sideways thumb. I told Michael I love it enough that I plan on making it next year anyway.
Today's soup was Dreamy Creamy Artichoke Soup, served with Watercress Salad with Red Onion and Chopped Egg Vinaigrette. Michael this is a yummy simple soup--just leeks, butter, frozen artichoke hearts, chicken stock, cream and Parmesan. Only three of us ate it (NB and IM were full of pizza from a birthday party) but we all liked it. The salad was good too, although I couldn't find watercress and substituted mixed spring greens instead. I need to find a watercress source soon, because watercress soup is coming up in June.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Costa Rica: A Very Tardy Trip Recap
Random impressions
* There are a ton of dogs and cats roaming the streets of Puerto Viejo. Anywhere you go, you have an instant pet (or two or three) following you around. Restaurants are no exception; at one point Michael and I had a cat sitting in the extra seat at the table, a dog resting his head on Michael's lap, and another dog who patiently sat by our table with hopeful eyes and a wagging tail for the entire dinner.
* Although the roads were much better than we saw on our last trip, by the end of the month we were dodging potholes in a road Michael had seen paved during his first week there.
* I lack the appropriate spatial awareness for driving in Puerto Viejo. Cars, trucks, bikes, scooters, pedestrians, horses, and the dogs and cats mentioned above all make use of the roads, which narrow to one lane for every bridge. Michael adapted just fine to the crazy passing and dodging; I closed my eyes.
* There is a limit to my feminism. When this showed up in our bedroom, I told Michael if the bug wasn't out of there by bedtime I was finding somewhere else to sleep:
I wasn't too found of this, either:
* If your private Spanish teacher is a good-looking, younger surfer, it's really great when you can shrug and say to your husband, "Well, you arranged the lessons."
* Land crabs are hard to dodge while driving. It's not until you are almost on top of them that you realize the rocks in the road are moving.
* It's nice of the aviary to ask us to stay three feet away from the birds, but someone should explain that to the birds.
* And the corollary: It's a little unnerving to be buzzed by toucans. Those beaks look wicked sharp when zooming toward your head.
* Although I am generally in favor of preserving wildlife, I don't quite see the need for the eyelash pit viper breeding program at the local animal rescue center.
* Tree frogs are a lot less noticeable with their eyes closed.
* It is possible to eat well in Costa Rica. The Caribbean had great seafood, including the best fish tacos I've ever eaten. And EM and I became quite attached to the bananas cooked with honey we encountered in the San Jose area.
* Three-toed sloths are even cuter than two-toed sloths.
* I suppose if I lived in Costa Rica, I too would become totally blase about howler monkeys in the trees on the edge of the beach. Eventually.
* Song is not the right word for the sound a toucan makes. You know those wooden friction sticks your music teacher let you play with in elementary school? That's what a toucan sounds like.
* There are a ton of dogs and cats roaming the streets of Puerto Viejo. Anywhere you go, you have an instant pet (or two or three) following you around. Restaurants are no exception; at one point Michael and I had a cat sitting in the extra seat at the table, a dog resting his head on Michael's lap, and another dog who patiently sat by our table with hopeful eyes and a wagging tail for the entire dinner.
* Although the roads were much better than we saw on our last trip, by the end of the month we were dodging potholes in a road Michael had seen paved during his first week there.
* I lack the appropriate spatial awareness for driving in Puerto Viejo. Cars, trucks, bikes, scooters, pedestrians, horses, and the dogs and cats mentioned above all make use of the roads, which narrow to one lane for every bridge. Michael adapted just fine to the crazy passing and dodging; I closed my eyes.
* There is a limit to my feminism. When this showed up in our bedroom, I told Michael if the bug wasn't out of there by bedtime I was finding somewhere else to sleep:
I wasn't too found of this, either:
* If your private Spanish teacher is a good-looking, younger surfer, it's really great when you can shrug and say to your husband, "Well, you arranged the lessons."
* Land crabs are hard to dodge while driving. It's not until you are almost on top of them that you realize the rocks in the road are moving.
* It's nice of the aviary to ask us to stay three feet away from the birds, but someone should explain that to the birds.
* And the corollary: It's a little unnerving to be buzzed by toucans. Those beaks look wicked sharp when zooming toward your head.
* Although I am generally in favor of preserving wildlife, I don't quite see the need for the eyelash pit viper breeding program at the local animal rescue center.
* Tree frogs are a lot less noticeable with their eyes closed.
* It is possible to eat well in Costa Rica. The Caribbean had great seafood, including the best fish tacos I've ever eaten. And EM and I became quite attached to the bananas cooked with honey we encountered in the San Jose area.
* Three-toed sloths are even cuter than two-toed sloths.
* I suppose if I lived in Costa Rica, I too would become totally blase about howler monkeys in the trees on the edge of the beach. Eventually.
* Song is not the right word for the sound a toucan makes. You know those wooden friction sticks your music teacher let you play with in elementary school? That's what a toucan sounds like.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Bonus Soup!
I realized this week, that I had more soups left in the Winter section than I had Sundays left in March. So I counted the soups. Despite the subtitle A Year's Worth of Mouthwatering, Easy-to-Make Recipes, there are 60 soups in the book, 15 for each season.
Deciding that if I can't make them all, I want to choose which ones I skip, I started thumbing through the book. And that's when I discovered a St. Patrick's Day soup (at the end of the Spring section, which is wrong by any measure).
So on Thursday I made Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup--"Under Cover" (in ramekins with puffed-pastry crust). It was easy to make during my lunch hour (it needs to be refrigerated for an hour) and is easily the most tasty corned-beef dish I've eaten.
Five thumbs up.
Deciding that if I can't make them all, I want to choose which ones I skip, I started thumbing through the book. And that's when I discovered a St. Patrick's Day soup (at the end of the Spring section, which is wrong by any measure).
So on Thursday I made Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup--"Under Cover" (in ramekins with puffed-pastry crust). It was easy to make during my lunch hour (it needs to be refrigerated for an hour) and is easily the most tasty corned-beef dish I've eaten.
Five thumbs up.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sunday Soup 10 and 11
Okra and I seem destined never to meet. One of the stories from the early days of my parents' marriage that entered our family lore (along with The Crazy Landlady and the Columbus Day Storm and Make Sure You Take Your Checkbook to the Grocery Store) is The Time Mom Made Okra.
Canned okra was on sale, you see, and they were trying to be frugal. Both of them agreed that the results were awful, and as a result, Mom never again served okra. Considering she used to feed us liver and onions and daily doses of cod liver oil, I think that's saying something. I grew up convinced that okra was the worst food in the world. Or at least America.
So when I looked at Soup 10 (Gulf Coast Shrimp Gumbo) and realized it had okra in it, I was dubious. Still, I promised to work my way through the cookbook, so off I went to get okra.
As it turns out, that's not an easy thing to do around here. I checked the produce and frozen food sections of both grocery stores, and neither had okra. I had suspected it might be difficult to find, so I had researched substitutions ahead of time, and purchased some asparagus. Not being able to find the andouille sausage, since I'd seen some last month, was unexpected. Pulling out my trusty cell phone (90% of all my cell phone calls are made from a store to home), I called Michael and asked him to google substitutions.
So, I can't actually tell you how Gulf Coast Shrimp Gumbo tastes. Apparently, a soup can't even be called gumbo if there isn't okra. However, Gulf Coast Shrimp Soup with Asparagus and Chorizo Sausage got five thumbs up.
Okra eluded me again.
Today I made Fennel X Two Soup with Vegetable Pitas with Goat Cheese and Fresh Herbs.
The soup is six cups of chopped fennel, one potato, two onions and some chicken broth, simmered, pureed, and mixed with cream that has been infused with tarragon and crushed fennel seed. Very tasty.
The goat cheese, fresh basil, and kalamata olives made the vegetable pitas especially yummy, although I think next time I'll reduce the salt slightly. Again, five thumbs up for both soup and sandwich, although NB notes that the pita is a bit messy to eat.
Canned okra was on sale, you see, and they were trying to be frugal. Both of them agreed that the results were awful, and as a result, Mom never again served okra. Considering she used to feed us liver and onions and daily doses of cod liver oil, I think that's saying something. I grew up convinced that okra was the worst food in the world. Or at least America.
So when I looked at Soup 10 (Gulf Coast Shrimp Gumbo) and realized it had okra in it, I was dubious. Still, I promised to work my way through the cookbook, so off I went to get okra.
As it turns out, that's not an easy thing to do around here. I checked the produce and frozen food sections of both grocery stores, and neither had okra. I had suspected it might be difficult to find, so I had researched substitutions ahead of time, and purchased some asparagus. Not being able to find the andouille sausage, since I'd seen some last month, was unexpected. Pulling out my trusty cell phone (90% of all my cell phone calls are made from a store to home), I called Michael and asked him to google substitutions.
So, I can't actually tell you how Gulf Coast Shrimp Gumbo tastes. Apparently, a soup can't even be called gumbo if there isn't okra. However, Gulf Coast Shrimp Soup with Asparagus and Chorizo Sausage got five thumbs up.
Okra eluded me again.
Today I made Fennel X Two Soup with Vegetable Pitas with Goat Cheese and Fresh Herbs.
The soup is six cups of chopped fennel, one potato, two onions and some chicken broth, simmered, pureed, and mixed with cream that has been infused with tarragon and crushed fennel seed. Very tasty.
The goat cheese, fresh basil, and kalamata olives made the vegetable pitas especially yummy, although I think next time I'll reduce the salt slightly. Again, five thumbs up for both soup and sandwich, although NB notes that the pita is a bit messy to eat.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
February's Reading
Wedding Season--This book delivered what I've come to expect from Katie Fforde: rural English setting, a protagonist focused on a traditionally feminine trade, some romance. I preferred other books by this author, but I'm not sure if that's because I'm tired of the pattern or the quality slipped.
Operation Mincemeat--I really enjoyed this account of trickery during World War II. It tells the story of a successful scheme to convince the Nazis that the Allies were not going to attack Sicily from North Africa. The British fooled the Nazis by placing fake documents on a dead body off the coast of Spain.
In this book I (briefly) met the inspiration for Q of James Bond fame (did you know Ian Flemming was in British intelligence during WWII?):
[Charles] Fraser-Smith [of "Q"-Branch] possessed a wildly ingenious but supremely practical mind. He invented garlic-flavored chocolate to be consumed by agents parachuting into France in order that their breath should smell appropriately Gallic as soon as they landed; he made shoelaces containing a vicious steel garrote; he created a compass hidden in a button that unscrewed clockwise, based on the impeccable theory that the "unswerving logic of the German mind" would never guess that something might unscrew the wrong way. 112, 114
I found the conclusion stirring:
But [wars] are also won by feats of imagination. Amateur, unpublished novelists, the framers of Operation Mincemeat, dreamed up the most unlikely concatenation of events, rendered them believable, and sent them off to war, changing reality through lateral thinking and proving that it is possible to win a battle fought in the mind, from behind a desk, and from beyond the grave. Operation Mincemeat was pure make-believe, and it made Hitler believe something that changed the course of history. 295-296
I definitely recommend this book. There are fascinating bits all the way through.
Water Witches--My Pilates teacher passed this to me. It's a novel about dousers and the ski industry in Vermont. I found it an enjoyable but unmemorable read.
The Imperfectionists--I read this one for book group. Every chapter is told from the perspective of a different person affiliated with an international English-language newspaper. Perhaps unsurprisingly, my favorite chapter was one about the corrections editor. He rants about the use "literally" and his chapter is one of the happiest.
* literally: This word should be deleted. All too often, actions described as "literally" did not happen at all. As in, "He literally jumped out of his skin." No, he did not. Though if he literally had, I'd suggest raising the element and proposing the piece for page one. Inserting "literally" willy-nilly reinforces the notion that breathless nitwits lurk within this newsroom. Eliminate on sight--the usage, not the nitwits. The nitwits are to be captured and placed in the cages I have set up in the subbasement. See also: Excessive Dashes; Exclamation Points; and Nitwits. 84-85
Room--The best book of the year so far, and I'll be surprised if it doesn't end up in the top five come New Year's Eve. Like The Poisonwood Bible, this book gave me a new view on life and parenting that will return to mind again and again in the years ahead. I almost didn't read it because the subject matter seemed so disturbing, but I'm very glad I did. Haunting, horrible, and hopeful.
Operation Mincemeat--I really enjoyed this account of trickery during World War II. It tells the story of a successful scheme to convince the Nazis that the Allies were not going to attack Sicily from North Africa. The British fooled the Nazis by placing fake documents on a dead body off the coast of Spain.
In this book I (briefly) met the inspiration for Q of James Bond fame (did you know Ian Flemming was in British intelligence during WWII?):
[Charles] Fraser-Smith [of "Q"-Branch] possessed a wildly ingenious but supremely practical mind. He invented garlic-flavored chocolate to be consumed by agents parachuting into France in order that their breath should smell appropriately Gallic as soon as they landed; he made shoelaces containing a vicious steel garrote; he created a compass hidden in a button that unscrewed clockwise, based on the impeccable theory that the "unswerving logic of the German mind" would never guess that something might unscrew the wrong way. 112, 114
I found the conclusion stirring:
But [wars] are also won by feats of imagination. Amateur, unpublished novelists, the framers of Operation Mincemeat, dreamed up the most unlikely concatenation of events, rendered them believable, and sent them off to war, changing reality through lateral thinking and proving that it is possible to win a battle fought in the mind, from behind a desk, and from beyond the grave. Operation Mincemeat was pure make-believe, and it made Hitler believe something that changed the course of history. 295-296
I definitely recommend this book. There are fascinating bits all the way through.
Water Witches--My Pilates teacher passed this to me. It's a novel about dousers and the ski industry in Vermont. I found it an enjoyable but unmemorable read.
The Imperfectionists--I read this one for book group. Every chapter is told from the perspective of a different person affiliated with an international English-language newspaper. Perhaps unsurprisingly, my favorite chapter was one about the corrections editor. He rants about the use "literally" and his chapter is one of the happiest.
* literally: This word should be deleted. All too often, actions described as "literally" did not happen at all. As in, "He literally jumped out of his skin." No, he did not. Though if he literally had, I'd suggest raising the element and proposing the piece for page one. Inserting "literally" willy-nilly reinforces the notion that breathless nitwits lurk within this newsroom. Eliminate on sight--the usage, not the nitwits. The nitwits are to be captured and placed in the cages I have set up in the subbasement. See also: Excessive Dashes; Exclamation Points; and Nitwits. 84-85
Room--The best book of the year so far, and I'll be surprised if it doesn't end up in the top five come New Year's Eve. Like The Poisonwood Bible, this book gave me a new view on life and parenting that will return to mind again and again in the years ahead. I almost didn't read it because the subject matter seemed so disturbing, but I'm very glad I did. Haunting, horrible, and hopeful.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Town Meeting Day
Today was Town Meeting Day, when voters across the state meet to approve budgets and pass resolutions. I love it.
Our local Fourth of July celebration is more Guy Fawkes than God Bless America, so Town Meeting Day is our greatest group demonstration of commitment to democracy. Some things (the inter-town high school budget and election of officials) are done by ballot in the voting booth, but the issues? The issues we hash out in open debate and voice vote ("all in favor say 'Aye!").
You need a thick skin to serve on a town board. Every town has a crank or two, and Town Meeting Day gives them access to an open mike. And then there are the non-crank but very blunt native New Englanders. ("George, what the hell are you talking about? Just quit the stories and tell us what you want.") Any line in the budget is up for critique, and people in the audience are routinely called on to dredge up the history of certain issues or subcommittee reports.
Today's meeting was relatively free of drama. The two issues I thought would be most controversial going in (the elementary school budget and a large paving project) both passed with nary a nay vote. The cemetery was a sneaker issue, generating far more debate than I expected. And there was one laughable moment, when a woman insisted we should ask nearby towns to help us fund the paving project, since they used the road too.
Due to a computer crisis and orthodontist appointment, I wasn't able to stay for the potluck lunch or the final resolutions (mostly housecleaning), but all in all it was a good day for democracy.
Here's to government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Our local Fourth of July celebration is more Guy Fawkes than God Bless America, so Town Meeting Day is our greatest group demonstration of commitment to democracy. Some things (the inter-town high school budget and election of officials) are done by ballot in the voting booth, but the issues? The issues we hash out in open debate and voice vote ("all in favor say 'Aye!").
You need a thick skin to serve on a town board. Every town has a crank or two, and Town Meeting Day gives them access to an open mike. And then there are the non-crank but very blunt native New Englanders. ("George, what the hell are you talking about? Just quit the stories and tell us what you want.") Any line in the budget is up for critique, and people in the audience are routinely called on to dredge up the history of certain issues or subcommittee reports.
Today's meeting was relatively free of drama. The two issues I thought would be most controversial going in (the elementary school budget and a large paving project) both passed with nary a nay vote. The cemetery was a sneaker issue, generating far more debate than I expected. And there was one laughable moment, when a woman insisted we should ask nearby towns to help us fund the paving project, since they used the road too.
Due to a computer crisis and orthodontist appointment, I wasn't able to stay for the potluck lunch or the final resolutions (mostly housecleaning), but all in all it was a good day for democracy.
Here's to government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday Soups 7, 8, and 9
Unfortunately for Michael, due to some shifting around to get easy soups for the busy play weekends, we ended up with tomato soup two of the last three weeks. He was very supportive and ate both with no complaints.
Tomato and Fennel Soup with Pernod Cream--I left the Pernod out of the cream, because I didn't want to buy a bottle of anise-flavored liqueur when I only needed 3/4 of a teaspoon for this recipe. I like licorice, but I don't want to drink it. This soup has more fennel than tomato. It went very well with grilled cheese sandwiches made with good Cabot cheddar. Michael couldn't quite give it a thumbs up, but the rest of us did.
Spicy Pork Chili with Cumin Polenta--I had an ingredient issue with this recipe. Serrano peppers were not to be had, so I substituted with jalopeno. I'm not sure if it was due to the subsitution, but this chili was not as spicy as I had expected. It's more labor-intensive than most of the soups I've done so far, but it was tasty enough that is will likely make the permanent rotation at the end of the year. Five thumbs up.
Tomato, Dill, and White Cheddar Soup--This one had four times the tomatoes of the other soup. Perhaps consequently, Michael liked it less. I thought it was great, and it's quick and easy enough to make midweek. This soup has two qualities that are common among the recipes in this book: the use of leeks instead of onions and a touch of heat (cayenne pepper in this case) that intensifies the flavor of the vegetables. Michael was neutral on this one (because he is too polite to give it a thumbs down); the rest of us liked it.
Tomato and Fennel Soup with Pernod Cream--I left the Pernod out of the cream, because I didn't want to buy a bottle of anise-flavored liqueur when I only needed 3/4 of a teaspoon for this recipe. I like licorice, but I don't want to drink it. This soup has more fennel than tomato. It went very well with grilled cheese sandwiches made with good Cabot cheddar. Michael couldn't quite give it a thumbs up, but the rest of us did.
Spicy Pork Chili with Cumin Polenta--I had an ingredient issue with this recipe. Serrano peppers were not to be had, so I substituted with jalopeno. I'm not sure if it was due to the subsitution, but this chili was not as spicy as I had expected. It's more labor-intensive than most of the soups I've done so far, but it was tasty enough that is will likely make the permanent rotation at the end of the year. Five thumbs up.
Tomato, Dill, and White Cheddar Soup--This one had four times the tomatoes of the other soup. Perhaps consequently, Michael liked it less. I thought it was great, and it's quick and easy enough to make midweek. This soup has two qualities that are common among the recipes in this book: the use of leeks instead of onions and a touch of heat (cayenne pepper in this case) that intensifies the flavor of the vegetables. Michael was neutral on this one (because he is too polite to give it a thumbs down); the rest of us liked it.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Completely Missing the Point
We're reaching the end of our rope around here. Not just Michael and I, but the entire town. It's the last night of the busiest ten days of the ski season, and we're a bit worn out from being ON all the time.
We had a couple of late-night noise complaints Friday night, so last night, when Michael left the key for our late arrival and closed up, he was hoping to get a solid 8 hours of sleep.
Around 11:30, the guest called to say he'd arrived and to thank Michael for leaving the key.
Because nothing says "thank you" like a phone call when you're fast asleep.
We had a couple of late-night noise complaints Friday night, so last night, when Michael left the key for our late arrival and closed up, he was hoping to get a solid 8 hours of sleep.
Around 11:30, the guest called to say he'd arrived and to thank Michael for leaving the key.
Because nothing says "thank you" like a phone call when you're fast asleep.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Public Service Announcement: Think of Your Driver
We got a call at 3:30 this morning from the apologetic desk clerk at the posh resort on the mountain. She was sorry to bother us so late, but did we happen to have a room available? One of their guests had arrived by hired car and had failed to reserve a room for the drivers.
As it turns out, due to last-minute cancellations (funny how highs in the 50s and chance of rain brings out the illnesses), we did have a room available, but what on earth would this man have done if it had been a typical President's Week, when every bed in the Valley is full?
We see this at least once a winter, usually with bus drivers. Yes, people, even the help needs to sleep.
As it turns out, due to last-minute cancellations (funny how highs in the 50s and chance of rain brings out the illnesses), we did have a room available, but what on earth would this man have done if it had been a typical President's Week, when every bed in the Valley is full?
We see this at least once a winter, usually with bus drivers. Yes, people, even the help needs to sleep.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Time for an Anatomy Lesson
LW, yesterday: Mom, you know the sack behind my penis? Is that where the pee comes from?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Sunday Soups 5 and 6
We had our first soup fail, but it wasn't the one I expected.
Ever since my first skim through the book, I've dreaded the day I had to serve Celery Bisque. The fact that it was to be served with Stilton Toasts improved it slightly, but not enough for me to stop worrying. Really, is there any vegetable more boring than celery? Celery Bisque seemed like the soup equivalent of celery sticks. Palatable enough, but certainly not a meal. I even made dessert as a culinary apology.
Surprisingly, it was quite good. It tastes a lot like the cream of broccoli soup I frequently make. Thumbs up all around (except for LW, of course).
This week was Cauliflower Soup with Crispy Prosciutto and Parmesan. Eh. Some of it might be the fault of my blender, which didn't do a great job pureeing it, but only IM and EM (who, frankly, will eat just about anything they can get in their mouths these days) gave this a thumbs up. Michael, NB, and I were neutral. I approached the leftovers quite glumly at Monday lunch. Its strongest asset is that it's a way to use up two entire heads of cauliflower. As I slowly move toward my goal of more seasonal and local eating, that's something to consider.
I have to say that I finished this soup off at lunch today, after taking a break yesterday, and I found it quite delicious. I still probably won't make it again unless I find myself in possession of large quantities of cauliflower.
Ever since my first skim through the book, I've dreaded the day I had to serve Celery Bisque. The fact that it was to be served with Stilton Toasts improved it slightly, but not enough for me to stop worrying. Really, is there any vegetable more boring than celery? Celery Bisque seemed like the soup equivalent of celery sticks. Palatable enough, but certainly not a meal. I even made dessert as a culinary apology.
Surprisingly, it was quite good. It tastes a lot like the cream of broccoli soup I frequently make. Thumbs up all around (except for LW, of course).
This week was Cauliflower Soup with Crispy Prosciutto and Parmesan. Eh. Some of it might be the fault of my blender, which didn't do a great job pureeing it, but only IM and EM (who, frankly, will eat just about anything they can get in their mouths these days) gave this a thumbs up. Michael, NB, and I were neutral. I approached the leftovers quite glumly at Monday lunch. Its strongest asset is that it's a way to use up two entire heads of cauliflower. As I slowly move toward my goal of more seasonal and local eating, that's something to consider.
I have to say that I finished this soup off at lunch today, after taking a break yesterday, and I found it quite delicious. I still probably won't make it again unless I find myself in possession of large quantities of cauliflower.
Monday, January 31, 2011
January's Reading
The Magicians--This was my book group's selection for January. It's billed as an adult Harry Potter, which indicates how completely the speaker missed the attraction of Rowling's world. True, there is magic and even a magic school, but it's a magic school inhabited by apathetic young adults with no sense of direction. And yet, although I had a hard time caring about the characters, I found myself picking up the book again and again. Grossman is a brilliant writer, with subtle cultural references reminiscent of Stephen King.
This is a great book for anyone who has ever wished to go into a book, and for anyone who has ever looked around and wondered where all the promise of youth has gone.
"I will stop being a mouse, Quentin. I will take some chances. If you will, for just one second, look at your life and see how perfect it is. Stop looking for the next secret door that is going to lead you to your read life. Stop waiting. This is it" there's nothing else. It's here, and you'd better decide to enjoy it or you're going to be miserable for the rest of your life, forever." page 333
2001: A Space Odyssey--Like Childhood's End by the same author, which I read last year, 2001 has sparse language and intriguing ideas. I enjoy reading Clarke's predictions with the advantage of hindsight. He foresaw greater advances in space exploration than we have achieved, but he did not envision the media spread of the last twenty years. His 2001 lacks cell phones, the Internet, and iPods, although it does have the Newspad, a folio-sized device which allows you to read newspapers from around the world. But the biggest argument I have with Clarke is his view of food:
"More food was produced by chemical processing systems and algae culture. Although the green scum circulating through yards of transparent plastic tubes would scarcely have appealed to a gourmet, the biochemists could convert it into chops and steaks only an expert could distinguish from the real thing." page 59
I side with Michael Pollan. Give me some real food, please.
The Lightning Thief--NB and IM have been wanting me to read this book for years, and I finally got around to it. Eh. Unlike Harry Potter or The Hunger Games, this is not a book that grabbed me. I see why the kids like it, and I like the references to mythology, but I won't be continuing the series.
Like Water for Chocolate--I missed this one back when everyone else was reading it. Another eh. I'm not a fan of magical realism. (And yes, sometimes I do think my literary tastes are too Anglo-centric.)
I'm continuing to plod slowly through The Brothers Karamazov. My target completion date is imitating a software release date and slipping steadily back. I have to finish it by the middle of April because I refuse to have this be my beach read in Costa Rica.
This is a great book for anyone who has ever wished to go into a book, and for anyone who has ever looked around and wondered where all the promise of youth has gone.
"I will stop being a mouse, Quentin. I will take some chances. If you will, for just one second, look at your life and see how perfect it is. Stop looking for the next secret door that is going to lead you to your read life. Stop waiting. This is it" there's nothing else. It's here, and you'd better decide to enjoy it or you're going to be miserable for the rest of your life, forever." page 333
2001: A Space Odyssey--Like Childhood's End by the same author, which I read last year, 2001 has sparse language and intriguing ideas. I enjoy reading Clarke's predictions with the advantage of hindsight. He foresaw greater advances in space exploration than we have achieved, but he did not envision the media spread of the last twenty years. His 2001 lacks cell phones, the Internet, and iPods, although it does have the Newspad, a folio-sized device which allows you to read newspapers from around the world. But the biggest argument I have with Clarke is his view of food:
"More food was produced by chemical processing systems and algae culture. Although the green scum circulating through yards of transparent plastic tubes would scarcely have appealed to a gourmet, the biochemists could convert it into chops and steaks only an expert could distinguish from the real thing." page 59
I side with Michael Pollan. Give me some real food, please.
The Lightning Thief--NB and IM have been wanting me to read this book for years, and I finally got around to it. Eh. Unlike Harry Potter or The Hunger Games, this is not a book that grabbed me. I see why the kids like it, and I like the references to mythology, but I won't be continuing the series.
Like Water for Chocolate--I missed this one back when everyone else was reading it. Another eh. I'm not a fan of magical realism. (And yes, sometimes I do think my literary tastes are too Anglo-centric.)
I'm continuing to plod slowly through The Brothers Karamazov. My target completion date is imitating a software release date and slipping steadily back. I have to finish it by the middle of April because I refuse to have this be my beach read in Costa Rica.
Sometimes the Guests Say It for Me
Sunday morning, I asked a woman what she wanted for breakfast. She looked at the menu and asked, "What's the difference between fried eggs and scrambled eggs?"
As I bit back what I wanted to say and began explaining the difference, her traveling companion turned to her in disbelief and said, "Is it your first day on the planet?"
As I bit back what I wanted to say and began explaining the difference, her traveling companion turned to her in disbelief and said, "Is it your first day on the planet?"
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday Soup 4
This week's soup was Ribollita--The Tuscan Minestrone. Essentially it's a vegetable soup with one cup of white beans added. It had onion, leek, carrot, celery, garlic, tomato, Savoy cabbage (a wrinkly little vegetable I never would have picked up on my own), potato, zucchini and Swiss chard. The soup is served with toasted, day-old bread and Parmesan cheese.
It's easy to make, although not quick. I spent about 40 minutes chopping vegetables, but after that it was simply a matter of adding the correct ingredients to the pot every hour or so.
I thought it was delicious, which is convenient because Michael gracious let me eat all the leftovers.
My two least discriminating eaters (EM and IM) gave it thumbs up. NB gave it a neutral thumb, but I think only because he was being polite.
Michael said it was his least favorite of the soups so far, but tasty. When I asked, he said it would be fine if I made it again next winter. However, I think the lack of enthusiasm for the leftovers indicates his feelings more clearly than his words.
We didn't have a side dish this week because I misjudged the amount of life left in the lettuce.
It's easy to make, although not quick. I spent about 40 minutes chopping vegetables, but after that it was simply a matter of adding the correct ingredients to the pot every hour or so.
I thought it was delicious, which is convenient because Michael gracious let me eat all the leftovers.
My two least discriminating eaters (EM and IM) gave it thumbs up. NB gave it a neutral thumb, but I think only because he was being polite.
Michael said it was his least favorite of the soups so far, but tasty. When I asked, he said it would be fine if I made it again next winter. However, I think the lack of enthusiasm for the leftovers indicates his feelings more clearly than his words.
We didn't have a side dish this week because I misjudged the amount of life left in the lettuce.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday Soup 3
I'm changing the order of the soups a bit for the next month so I have quick soups during two busy Sundays in February.
This week I made Cream of Chicken and Fennel Soup with Roasted Pear, Walnut, and Feta Salad with Baby Greens and bread on the side.
I really like this soup. The fennel flavor is layered nicely--chopped fennel cooks in chicken broth and then you add crushed fennel seeds as well. The soup also has carrots and snow peas, which I always enjoy.
The salad was yummy as well. IM helped me prepare the pears for roasting by brushing on the balsamic vinegar and olive oil mixture.
Leaving out the impossible eater, both the soup and the salad got a perfect score.
This week I made Cream of Chicken and Fennel Soup with Roasted Pear, Walnut, and Feta Salad with Baby Greens and bread on the side.
I really like this soup. The fennel flavor is layered nicely--chopped fennel cooks in chicken broth and then you add crushed fennel seeds as well. The soup also has carrots and snow peas, which I always enjoy.
The salad was yummy as well. IM helped me prepare the pears for roasting by brushing on the balsamic vinegar and olive oil mixture.
Leaving out the impossible eater, both the soup and the salad got a perfect score.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Five Reason I Prefer Cross-Country to Downhill
- No lifts. Some people find the ride up the mountain peaceful. I imagine plunging to my death.
- The boots! Who knew that ski boots could be so comfortable, and so easy to put on.
- No goggles. I hate goggles, but feel they are a safety requirement when skiing downhill. Speaking of which . . .
- It doesn't feel dangerous.
- Less muscle burn.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sunday Soup 2
Today's soup was Cold Weather Potato Chowder with Caraway Cheese (although I was unable to find havarti with caraway seeds in our small town and had to use plain havarti). The side dish was Roast Beef and Watercress with Horseradish Cream on Dark Bread.
The soup received 5 thumbs up. The sandwich received 4 thumbs up, although it would have had five if the red onion hadn't been so potent.
(We exlude LW from voting on the grounds that he fails to meet the basic requirement of tasting the food. He wouldn't even eat the crispy bacon on top because it was touching an onion.)
The chowder is pretty basic, except for the havarti. It also had a different thickening method than I've used in the paste--stirring in a paste made of room-temperature butter and flour at the very end of the cooking process.
As for my cooking skills, I've decided I need to chop faster. Maybe I should follow Julia Child's example and spend a day simply chopping.
The soup received 5 thumbs up. The sandwich received 4 thumbs up, although it would have had five if the red onion hadn't been so potent.
(We exlude LW from voting on the grounds that he fails to meet the basic requirement of tasting the food. He wouldn't even eat the crispy bacon on top because it was touching an onion.)
The chowder is pretty basic, except for the havarti. It also had a different thickening method than I've used in the paste--stirring in a paste made of room-temperature butter and flour at the very end of the cooking process.
As for my cooking skills, I've decided I need to chop faster. Maybe I should follow Julia Child's example and spend a day simply chopping.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Sunday Soup
For Christmas, Michael followed my extremely detailed hint (can sending an Amazon link via ICQ count as a hint?) and bought me Sunday Soup.
I'd seen it in a local store around Thanksgiving and fell in love with the idea. One soup recipe for every week of the year, divided by seasons. Since I love soup, cook dinner on Sundays, and aspire to eat more food in season, this book seemed like a great fit. I've decided to cook my way through the book this year.
According to the author, Winter starts in December and lasts three months, but since March feels nothing like spring around here, I've decided to cook the winter soups in January, February, and March and push the other seasons back one month each.
Today I made White Bean Soup with Chorizo and Kale with Arugula Salad Tossed with Olive Oil and Lemon on the side. (Yes, the book even recommends side dishes and provides recipes.)
Overall, I'd give this soup two thumbs up. NB wasn't thrilled, but he's my pickiest normal eater. EM and IM both had seconds.
I'd seen it in a local store around Thanksgiving and fell in love with the idea. One soup recipe for every week of the year, divided by seasons. Since I love soup, cook dinner on Sundays, and aspire to eat more food in season, this book seemed like a great fit. I've decided to cook my way through the book this year.
According to the author, Winter starts in December and lasts three months, but since March feels nothing like spring around here, I've decided to cook the winter soups in January, February, and March and push the other seasons back one month each.
Today I made White Bean Soup with Chorizo and Kale with Arugula Salad Tossed with Olive Oil and Lemon on the side. (Yes, the book even recommends side dishes and provides recipes.)
Overall, I'd give this soup two thumbs up. NB wasn't thrilled, but he's my pickiest normal eater. EM and IM both had seconds.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2010 Reading Catch-up
I knew I was behind on blogging about my reading, but I am shocked at how far behind. These will be quick summaries.
The Help--Possibly the best book I read this year. All three narrators have great voice, and the subject is fascinating.
Life Skills--Mindless fluff by my favorite fluff author.
97 Orchard Street--A serendipitous find in August about the inhabitants of a NYC tenement that is now a museum (and which was already on the itinerary for my September trip). A look at how the various immigrant waves changed the food of America.
The Town that Food Saved--A look at how the locavore movement changed one town in Vermont. Motivating.
The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen--I had completely forgotten about this book until I saw it on the list. Pleasant, but clearly not memorable.
Mockingjay--The book I was most anticipating this year. A satisfying conclusion to this great trilogy (although I wanted Katniss to end up with the other guy), but not as strong as the other two books.
The Tapestries--Interesting story set in early twentieth-century Vietnam. Compelling, but overly graphic at times, which made it a tough read for me.
Childhood's End--Classic science-fiction at its best. Interesting premise, sparse language. Haunting.
Eat, Pray, Love--Not as annoying as I feared it would be. (I read this for book group.) I liked Eat and Pray better than Love.
When the Emperor Was Divine--YA novel about one family's experience in a Japanese internment camp in Utah. Notice the use or lack of names. The scene where the woman kills their old dog the night before they leave made me cry.
The Message--A verse-by-verse paraphrase of the Bible. I'd been wanting to read the Bible cover to cover in a short period of time to get a better sense of the overall structure and flow, and with The Message I finally found a version that I could read quickly enough to accomplish that. Ninety days, give or take. I liked the paraphrase best for the history and prophets. It bothered me more in the New Testament. Reading the Bible always raises more issues than it resolves for me, and this was no exception.
Nomad--Fascinating look at the issues raised by Muslims immigrating to the West, by a former Muslim (now atheist) immigrant. I'm not convinced that converting to mainline Christianity is a key part of the solution--it seems to me that Islam could moderate itself just as mainline Christianity has done--but I agree with many of her other points. The final chapter is the weakest part of the book.
Murder in a Mill Town, Murder on Black Friday, Murder in the North End, A Bucket of Ashes, Still Life with Murder--Several years ago, I accidentally read book three in a six-book mystery series set in Gilded Age Boston. Michael gave me book two for Christmas, and I then found electronic versions of the other four books. They remind me a bit of early Anne Perry novels.
Water for Elephants--I started reading this right before I began The Message and finished it in December. Despite my disjointed reading of it, I really like this book. The narrator has a great voice, and the look at Depression-era circuses is interesting.
There. All caught up. I'll try not to get so far behind again.
I'm currently reading The Lightening Thief and The Brothers Karamazov.
The Help--Possibly the best book I read this year. All three narrators have great voice, and the subject is fascinating.
Life Skills--Mindless fluff by my favorite fluff author.
97 Orchard Street--A serendipitous find in August about the inhabitants of a NYC tenement that is now a museum (and which was already on the itinerary for my September trip). A look at how the various immigrant waves changed the food of America.
The Town that Food Saved--A look at how the locavore movement changed one town in Vermont. Motivating.
The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen--I had completely forgotten about this book until I saw it on the list. Pleasant, but clearly not memorable.
Mockingjay--The book I was most anticipating this year. A satisfying conclusion to this great trilogy (although I wanted Katniss to end up with the other guy), but not as strong as the other two books.
The Tapestries--Interesting story set in early twentieth-century Vietnam. Compelling, but overly graphic at times, which made it a tough read for me.
Childhood's End--Classic science-fiction at its best. Interesting premise, sparse language. Haunting.
Eat, Pray, Love--Not as annoying as I feared it would be. (I read this for book group.) I liked Eat and Pray better than Love.
When the Emperor Was Divine--YA novel about one family's experience in a Japanese internment camp in Utah. Notice the use or lack of names. The scene where the woman kills their old dog the night before they leave made me cry.
The Message--A verse-by-verse paraphrase of the Bible. I'd been wanting to read the Bible cover to cover in a short period of time to get a better sense of the overall structure and flow, and with The Message I finally found a version that I could read quickly enough to accomplish that. Ninety days, give or take. I liked the paraphrase best for the history and prophets. It bothered me more in the New Testament. Reading the Bible always raises more issues than it resolves for me, and this was no exception.
Nomad--Fascinating look at the issues raised by Muslims immigrating to the West, by a former Muslim (now atheist) immigrant. I'm not convinced that converting to mainline Christianity is a key part of the solution--it seems to me that Islam could moderate itself just as mainline Christianity has done--but I agree with many of her other points. The final chapter is the weakest part of the book.
Murder in a Mill Town, Murder on Black Friday, Murder in the North End, A Bucket of Ashes, Still Life with Murder--Several years ago, I accidentally read book three in a six-book mystery series set in Gilded Age Boston. Michael gave me book two for Christmas, and I then found electronic versions of the other four books. They remind me a bit of early Anne Perry novels.
Water for Elephants--I started reading this right before I began The Message and finished it in December. Despite my disjointed reading of it, I really like this book. The narrator has a great voice, and the look at Depression-era circuses is interesting.
There. All caught up. I'll try not to get so far behind again.
I'm currently reading The Lightening Thief and The Brothers Karamazov.
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