Tag Archives: editorial

Absolutely Not!

We live in a very nice building with a great view and wonderful staff. I heard they were having a company-wide party this evening.

I am one of the only residents who cooks, so I make them food year-round. Today I asked if I made a trifle, would they like it for the holiday party tonight?

Absolutely not! These were the best words I could have heard today, second to my husband telling me he loves me. Why not? This is staying right here for the eight of us, not 100 ravenous party-goers who will eat it up in two minutes!

I strayed from past years and made my own version with panettone, raspberries, blackberries and I made my own whipped cream with a touch of vanilla and cognac. I hope they like it. I sweetened the deal with a pretty bowl full of Satsuma tangerines. I should have soaked the panettone in some tangerine juice. Next time.

Sometimes they like everyone’s Aunt Dee! A new neighbor I’ve cared for and am still healing from taking care of him is puppy H. We saw him in the hall last night. He jumped up on me and I fended off his needle-teeth bites until I looked down at my hands and both were covered in blood. It was a tiny snaggletooth, teeny bandage overnight and it’s good as new today. Badge of honor. Do I get the Silver Star for that? Nah, he’ll be a great dog with training and out of pain from teething.

Anyway, the next time someone says “absolutely not” wait for the next sentence. They may just say your food is so good they won’t share it! Happy holidays. Dee

Turkey

I know, none of you want to eat turkey after Thanksgiving but my husband and I ate a portion of a chicken that day. Now I had a rolled turkey breast roast. I took 1/3 of it and made Emeril’s sweet and sour recipe minus the “essence” and the sherry – I just use more pineapple juice. Check out foodnetwork.com

Finding an opening in the rest of the roll, without opening it up and using twine to re-tie it I cut down my home-grown basil and couldn’t find my pine nuts in the freezer so used a few unsalted, roasted almonds, garlic and olive oil, s&p and made a pesto to stuff inside the roast. We’ve enough for tomorrow’s dinner. It was tasty and will be more so the next day.

One thing I’ve never made is prime rib and Yorkshire pudding for Christmas. I can also do a wonderful trifle. I always made the side dishes for Mom so never dealt with turkey or prime rib. Plus, I can’t put the oven over 350 degrees lest the smoke alarm goes off!

We all have our holiday challenges. Cheers, Dee

ps I awakened this morning with a very sore fingertip and thought I might have a sliver, but don’t know how. My husband checked it out. It’s a blood blister from that puppy that came up days later. I’m typing now with said finger so I’m fine except for a little mark that will go away. I do love puppies, and Christmas. Dee

 

Routine

I’m certain you know that herding dogs crave routine. I took Zoe in the back seat to bring my husband to work one hot morning down south years ago and she wanted to do it every day.

As soon as he said goodbye and got out to cross the street, next to the bus enclosure, Zoe would hop into the passenger seat and sit down as if she was a person. Everyone at the bus stop laughed. Every day. “My goodness! She looks human!”

Sometimes I crave routine because it’s easy, often I want something challenging. I often do that through writing and my food. We have had off-routine for some time now as my husband has been doing challenging things for himself. My world was turned upside down but he doesn’t know that.

If you read an earlier post my trackball mouse that helps me with my arthritis broke the other day. Only the scroller broke and I use that a lot so he installed another just for scrolling. Yesterday we received the new one which is similar. He installed it last night and I’m dealing with the variabilities. I’ve saved the old one as it may be fixed and sold on eBay for $600 (we bought it for $35) because they’re not made anymore. The trackball is smaller and I’m overshooting or undershooting this morning so please bear with me if I err.

Routine. Going between two computer mice drove me nuts but what was even worse is that after two days I started to get used to it!! It’s scary what the human mind can do. Thank goodness I’m getting that routine back.

This morning was horrible. I will not cook until my kitchen is clean. I only had a few hand-wash dishes from dinner. Dinner was great, chicken wings in my famous marinade/sauce, roasted red potatoes with olive oil, s&p and thyme. Spring greens salad with Campari tomatoes and my husband’s routine, ranch dressing. I like to make variable vinaigrettes but he loves his ranch dressing.

So I got a nose bleed after dinner and didn’t finish the hand-wash dishes until this morning. An alarm was set. I took out the dog and fed her. My husband, when in town, usually sits at the kitchen counter/bar on a nice stool and I feed him.

Eggs over medium, bacon, two strips, toast with jam that will not stain his dress shirt. Orange juice, herbal tea, and an allergy pill. He was in my kitchen this morning messing me up. We are definitely not back to “routine.” Not yet.

I need to pick up my game and be there for my family. The research we’ve done has been helpful but my breakfast game is about ten minutes off. Will work to serve. Dee

Memorial Day Dinner

I’ve been up since three o’clock. Grocery opens at eight and I plan to be there. Perhaps sausages (hand-made) but only if they have good buns, not the usual bland fare.

Lamb Robert, I just need to see the ingredients so I can shop for it. It’ll be so great! I just want to have a fun and relaxing day with my husband and dog Zoe.

Perhaps sandwiches for lunch as we look out at the regattas and kites. With a nice salad. I want to make this day special. Remember a loved one on this Memorial Day, Dee