COVID-Free at last! Knitting group, St Patrick's Day and pease pudding

First, you'll be happy to know that yesterday Gary tested negative, neighbor, too. So all's well there. He was so happy, rushing off to visit daughter and grandchildren. And Handsome Son and I continue to be Novids.

In other news, the knitting group yielded some great works today, from K's gnome to M's  temperature blankets and cowl in progress. I finally finished the Ministry socks and I can get on with my own. Still needing steaming and finishing, but cast off.

The fancy leather tab, boutique touch on M's temperature blanket came from K.

Finished socks with row one of my own socks started.

This morning on honor of St Patrick's Day, I wore my green cardi 

Fibonacci paper artwork in the background.

and made pease pudding with green split peas. It's an ancient dish, back to medieval times, maybe further. Pudding just means this kind of cooking and serving, not dessert.

This also honors my departed Irish grandmother from Tipperary, who ended up in North Yorkshire, where this is a trad food any old time. Also I remembered to soak the peas overnight, yay me. 

It's the feast day of St Gertrude, too, and I remember Mother Gertrude, who taught moral philosophy at my high school. Brilliant young nun in a community of nuns decades older than she, used to talk about the happiness of the religious life. The only one who ever did. 

The pease pudding I did a bit differently from past tries, frying onions first, before simmering them with the peas. I used za'atar to season the onions and, instead of beating in butter after the peas were cooked, fried the onions with a mix of oil and butter. Little pinch of spiced ground kosher salt.

Simmered till tender then blended

Served with little yellow potatoes and carrots. When the pudding is cold it can be sliced and fried, too.  There's enough for two more helpings. People who like bacon also serve this as a breakfast event with egg and bacon. 

 I clearly stated I did this food in honor of a departed family member and a family tradition. Don't yuck my yum! I've moderated comments which seemed to be doing this, probably thoughtlessly, nonetheless, hurtful. It's not a food for you? Move on by..

And here's a definite sign of spring.

The first sighting of a mourning dove on the high section of the fence,  which is the scene every year of mourning doves courting. I'll soon see a partner show up, then there'll be dancing and displaying to beat the band.

I hope they nest nearby. They're nice neighbors, and now there are no local cats out, they're safe, at least from cats. Not from red tails, but they're very wise about where they nest.

And speaking of nests, here's the latest winnowing from my nest

Happy day, everyone, nest wisely, but make your mark. Or your pudding, as the case may be.