Today the cooking was about pasta, penne, to be exact, with a lovely sauce, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, knob of butter, parmigian rind. And onions, shrimp and scallions. Blue cheese sprinkles.
It was soooo good. I do like shrimp with practically anything. I'd skip the cheese next time though, too many competing flavors. But no complaints. And enough for several more meals.
I managed a complete walk, tired coming home but I made it. No pictures, really quiet day for birds and animals. Very pleased I had enough energy.
Last year this time was a different story
I also found today that this is the total germination of the two beds of memorial snowdrops. Clearly since this lone one is flowering, there's little to no hope of a sudden growth spurt from the dozens of others.
Not acceptable. I've written to Breck to request a refund. Then I'll buy some shrub or plant locally and start again. This happens, nobody's fault, probably frozen in transit with no protection.
Gary came bursting in, this morning, all thrilled with the brownies, which he found when he came home yesterday. I gather he'd eaten one before he got his coat off! When he found out there were two more batches in his future, he was a happy guy.
A convo later with Paul Couchman, the Regency Chef, on Twitter, reminded me that seasalt goes well with chocolate.
So I sprinkled a bit on this afternoon's brownies with a cup of tea, great reminder. Chic!
I checked on my library holds, including this one
It's getting excellent reviews from a range of critics, and I've heard part of the audio, really good speaker. So we'll see.
I'd like to try recipes from Meghan's Together: Our Community Cookbook, but it's backordered everywhere. I think I'd like some of that food, Indian, and Middle Eastern. But I can wait.
I'm interested in his story, as a survivor of sibling abuse myself, rather than as a current gossip meme. Please tread softly.
If anyone's seen and cooked from the cookbook, I'd like to hear more.
Happy day everyone! May your energy fit your ambition today. Well, every day, but right now today's the issue.
I'm sorry you were abused as a kid...that breaks my heart on your behalf. You are certainly resilient and kind, so somewhere in your life those were shown to you. Good luck getting the books, I am interested tp know what you think. I'm glad Gary likes your brownies and that you enjoyed a walk .I was tempted myself today until a certain cat demanded snuggle time and we both fell asleep,
ReplyDeleteAlas, not just as a kid. Right up through adulthood till either they died or I limited contact. It's more common in large families than you might think.
DeleteI am aware for a variety of reasons.
DeleteAh, I should have guessed.
DeleteI am sorry to hear the snowdrops didn't come up. Were they planted in memory of one of your siblings that were cruel?
ReplyDeleteThe seafood pasta and chocolate brownie are perfect for cold day.
My last sibling, who, to be fair, tried better in the last few years. So I always want to find the good part of my relatives and remember and honor that.
DeleteI've listened to the book. I believe it was read by the author. So sorry about your snowdrops. My 10 or 20 from Becks germinated beautifully, several years ago. I hope they are continuing strong, as I sol that house.
ReplyDeleteI've had snow drops that came back for twenty years, do there's a good chance yours did, too.
DeleteI too hadn't realized that your siblinghood was so fraught. Glad that you and Irene were able to work some things out in later years. And really glad you had enough pep for a walk before? after? that amazing soup!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine Gary's brownie delight!
Chris from Boise
I think you'd have loved to see Gary's face when he heard there would be more brownies coming! Irene began to be more friendly after our other last sibling died, and there was nobody else, as she said. I accepted whatever I could get.
DeleteIt's amazing how big of a splash Harry's book has made in the USA. I think he's more popular there than he is here in England! Perhaps Americans identify with his rebellious spirit, or his challenge to royal authority.
ReplyDeleteDave planted dozens of snowdrop bulbs years ago and NONE of them came up. We never figured out what we did wrong.
Steve, I don't think Americans have seen what the gutter press did in the UK. I can't even say some of it in a family blog. So they have a less curated impression.
DeleteI think snow drops are pickier than we think. If you can get them going, they're good for years and years.
The snowdrops are definitely confused. The sea salt on the brownies would be a great addition! Your pasta dish sounds wonderful too. Shrimp cook so quickly, they are a nice go to when one is rushed but wants a home cooked meal. Love those leftovers too, an even better solution when one is rushed.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of the abuse, Boud.
Yes, leftovers rule! Shrimp are luxurious and fast food at the same time!
DeleteHello, Boud! First, before I forget, thanks for coming to Marmelade Gypsy! It's a pleasure to meet you! I want to read Harry's book, too. I'm quite on his side and glad he is telling his story, which I suspect comes at a high price to him with relations with the family in the future. But I'm inclined to think I would have done the same under his circumstances. I'd like to hear the audio book though I'll probably get it in paper. (But I love the voice!) I'm with you on liking shrimp with anything too -- and that looks fabulous! Snowdrops already? Be still my heart. This morning it is 19F and more snow on the ground! ~ jeanie
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming in and taking part! We appear to have a few things in common -- Barchester, shrimp and Harry!
DeleteI wish I could say that I am surprised to hear about the abuse in your family but sadly, I am not. So prevalent and seemingly never to end. Anyway, yes, I can see why you'd like to read "Spare". I would too. It is definitely a window into a world that is quite foreign to me and yet, I am sure that I will recognize some situations within that world.
ReplyDeleteForeign to me, too, privileged and wealthy people. But some of the comments the elder brother made struck home with me. Yes, it's much more prevalent than people think or realize.
DeleteI have Spare on hold. It says several months! I also am sorry about the abuse. It's so much more prevalent than people know or acknowledge.
ReplyDeleteYou made Gary's week! I have a package of shrimp in the freezer, thanks for reminding me.
He's such an appreciative guy. And yes, when you cook the shrimp, let us know what you make. Blogistas, Sandra is a good cook, definitely takes look at her blog, which also involves horses, a big part of her life.
DeleteYou make me blush. Why aren't you my neighbor?
DeleteYou got lucky, I guess!
DeleteStill using that photo. Great. I just posted a similar version on Flickr today. It was horizontal rather than vertical.
ReplyDeleteIt's in my rota now! It's very expressive for certain blog posts. Thank you for letting me use it.
DeleteI like shrimp but Resident Chef is violently allergic to seafood (luckily he's okay with fish).
ReplyDeleteI would like to read 'Spare' but the waiting list at the library is very long so I will wait for it. I didn't realize Meghan had a cookbook but I suspect it's not one that our library would buy.
Re the snowdrops - did the squirrels dig the bulbs up and eat them? I know they love tulip bulbs so maybe snowdrops too.
No, I had squirrel proofed the beds with qtips soaked in peppermint extract. Today I found a couple of bulbs completely undeveloped, looking exactly as if they'd come out of the bag! Dead as a door nail.
DeleteFamilies like to hide abuse so it doesn't come as a huge surprise that this was in Harry's family.
ReplyDeleteMy mom's family of siblings was fraught with abusive sister relationships. It seemed that they prided themselves in nastiness and who could be the worst. The last of the surviving sisters still go on and on about those other sisters who are gone. I don't know how people can hold grudges like that.
I ordered snow drops so many years ago and when they didn't do well in one spot I moved them. Every other spring is seems, they surprise me by being absolutely glorious.
Thanks for reminding me. I'll seek them out and transplant some near the house to I can see how they do!
I like the peppermint soaked Q tip Idea. I may use that in the basement, where the mice like to enter the house near the electric box. It will smell nicer than mothballs!
Maybe I'll dig up and move the bulbs, that's an idea. Worth a try, anyway.
DeleteInteresting about the pattern in your mom's family. I believe breaking off with abusers as soon as that's possible, is the way to break the circle. I never wished anything but happy lives on my older sibs, but would not permit some of them to be in touch, knowing it would start up again.