It’s been getting chillier here in Texas. Jim has this fancy heater that he’s been using at night that dries me out such that I can’t breathe. So at 4:00 a.m. he decided to turn on the heat, first time all year, and it set off the smoke alarms with piercing shrieks and set the dog to running around wondering what was hurting her ears. Nothing like making friends with our neighbors!
Last night was Jim’s holiday party for work. First one for me in six years. The food was good and the people enjoyable, and they kept it mercifully brief. Jim had to work late so we arrived about 1 1/2 hours in. I lost Jim at one point and met a lovely gent who, during our brief conversation said “I’m a cook, not a chef.” I told him that was the first thing I wrote on this blog, which I hope he will check out. A kindred spirit!
I can’t do any packing for our weekend getaway until the dog is taken care of at her pampered pooch place. I’ll take her in around one for the afternoon daycare session, which should tire her out so she can spend the night in her kennel in peace. Yesterday I made sure I had enough zip-top bags for her individual meals, all labeled with her name, the equivalent of a mother sewing name tags in a kid’s underwear for camp!
I’m creating my own trifle recipe. If I can’t find lemon pound cake I’ll get regular and make a lemon syrup or purchase some limoncello to brush on the slices. Then I’ll mix store-bought lemon curd with homemade sweetened whipped cream, and in between the two layers and on the top will be a melange of fresh berries. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Mom used to make trifle as part of her English Christmas (prime rib roast, Yorkshire pudding, mincemeat tarts et al).
I’ve been recharging camera batteries, and making lists. It appears that gone is the day when Jim would call and say “let’s go away” and I had a bag packed for both of us in the 12 minutes it took him to drive home. Now I need to pack for the dog, too, bring coolers and sometimes dry ice and always “hostess gifts” for the people we’ll be seeing.
This past week I was recommended to a restaurant supply store I had a few moments to peruse. All I bought was a knife guard for my 10″ chef knife and a new pastry brush (for the trifle) because Jim burned mine on the grill. They do have some neat stuff. Earlier in the week I bought a new knife case so I could take my knives when I travel. I don’t know how much cooking is in store this weekend but usually when I travel I pitch in and prefer using my own sharp knives. I’ll take a photo for you next week.
Jim turned on the heat and fanned the smoke alarms until they stopped, and is now watching an old Bob Hope movie. It’s nearly five and my herbal tea is kicking in so I think it’s time to try to go back to sleep. Night. Dee
Cooking with Dee 