Just three of us here at home, just now. Oldest daughter has broken her work fast (quit her job to rest in late January), and is working part/part-time at a little bookstore across the way from my husband's shop. So, she's working a couple or three afternoons a week, building up herself again. Her dry eye syndrome is still a concern, and she still can't wear her contacts, so is taking it slow. Healing takes time, and we've got plenty of that.
Right now I'm having my own quiet. In bed, window open, just hung out sheets, can hear one of our numerous wind chimes near my window. Chickens making soft noises. A good sheet-drying day with plenty of sunshine and warmth. Windows up. Washer spinning. Thinking about having a restful weekend without drama.
There are things to do, however. Flower-buying tomorrow for the altar, and setting up the same. Filling in for someone else. And after church on Sunday, will eat lunch with our priest's wife who heads up the Altar Guild along with a couple of other women. One is our church secretary, who is Roman Catholic, so has her own spin on setting up the things and using the linens. I feel so Mitford-like. Our church is going to re-vamp the Altar Guild book, which I wasn't even aware of being in existence (but which could've prevented my endless mess-ups). Thankfully, my altar learning curve is lessening, but still, I set the wine/wafers/silver up and still just stand there, scratching my head, checking my photos on my phone, hoping I've finally got it right. Actually, I think I do.
* * *
Have a new review cookbook on its way. The publisher likens her book to Laurie Colwin's Home Cooking, and since I'm partial to her food writing (though not her fiction, for some odd reason), am looking forward to reading it. This one is called The Homemade Kitchen by Alana Chernila. Will let you know. Pulled out my copy of Orangette's Molly Wizenberg's A Homemade Life too. With our dinner being so stupendous last night, am hoping to do more of the same this weekend. Good eats, you know.
This is what we had: My saucy friend, Diane, made a knock-off version of Olive Garden's Zuppo Toscano here. I just took her recipe, incorporated it with our priest's wife's recipe and with minor changes, we had dinner!
My version:
One pound of Italian Sausage. I made mini meatballs of the meat, just (pardon the term) squirting the sausage out of the end of the soft casings. Fried them in a skillet with a little butter in it.
In another skillet I browned until soft a chopped onion, three celery stalks, and three small carrots.
When the sausage was done, or almost done, I put everything in my cast iron pot. Added two Knorr Chicken bouillon cubes and water to cover. Also sprinkled in about 1/2 teaspoon of both Oregano and Thyme. No salt, which afterward surprised me, since the bouillon was salty enough. Also put in two cans (rinsed, since middle daughter has an aversion to bean juice....who knows?) of Cannellini beans (white kidneys) and a few small, chopped up red potatoes.
Last thing...I added a bit bunch of chopped fresh Kale toward the end of cooking. Diane adds cream to hers, which is probably a wonderful last touch, but I didn't do that. I'm jealous of my half &half in my tea, so tend to parcel it out stingily.
Now to beat that meal, which might be a challenge. I think I'm waking up from a bad dream. Haven't taken an interest in fussing over meals in a long time. My dear friend, Tina, gave us some family silver recently, and we used the glamourous soup spoons with our meal.
All of this talk makes me want to watch Julie and Julia again. :) Love the way Julie's husband eats in that movie. Just nom-nomming his way through all that she cooks.
Must go. Just-married-son is on his way to wash clothes. First time of him doing that, but works for me.
