Upcycled food and thoughts

My day yesterday was immeasurably improved by reading Autumn by Ali Smith. I'd only vaguely known of her as a famous, Booker prize level of writing fame, writer.

But the other participant in our Tiny Email Book Group was rereading it, a bit puzzled but game, so I got it on Kindle, and started.

Several hours later I emerged from the kind of dream state I got into on first reading Virginia Woolf and James Joyce, that headlong rush of thoughts and images and time shifting back and forward, and shafts of wisdom, and I returned reluctantly to the everyday.

In order to say I wish I'd read it years ago, but glad to be already familiar with a lot of its raw material, Joyce, Woolf, the Profumo scandal, pop artist barrier breaker Pauline Doty, postwar treatment of women collaborators, Klee, Kandinsky, sexism in the world of art history, so as to distinguish the factual history from the work of the storyteller. 

At one point the two main characters, an old man and a young girl, discuss taking raw material, an accepted story, and changing it for better truth telling. Facts are not synonymous with truth, is the underlying message. And the storyteller, the magician herself, is showing us the secret behind the illusion, right at the moment of performing the illusion. It's not really a book to read, more of an experience to have. See if you agree.

On a more material plane, lunch. Yesterday I had that broccoli dish, with enough for two more meals. It was okay but a bit incomplete. So I thought briefly about making it into pie, putting frozen flaky pastry on the grocery list, then decided to just make a simple tortilla type pastry, and make Cornish pasties.

I like food you can pick up and eat, and made the dough right away. 

Enough for six tortillas, I figured was good for four pasties.

So I made circles, stuffed two circles with the broccoli mixture, folded over, sealed the edges with a fork, couple of holes in the top, baked at 400f for about 25 minutes, and here's one of them, a nice workmanlike lunch, to  pick up and eat. 

This is another possibility for sausage and mushrooms, come to think of it. 

Later today the Misfits box arrives. We'll see what happens then.

Win a few, lose a few here and there...

 So this is why for the second time I had to postpone my lab work.  Last time the big snowfall came.  This time the medium one, and at the time I would have had to leave, fasting, no plowing done, no walkways shoveled, would have needed to sweep my car.

So it's going to be later in February.  As long as that doesn't trigger another snowstorm. I'm beginning to feel responsible for the weather.

And CVS finally received some vaccine in NJ.  In a handful of locations. All fully booked before most of us even knew about it. But nothing in driving distance for me anyway. Everything I check daily gives me endless lists of fully booked, fully booked, I now sing a little tune to it.  So it's more than annoying when friends text me to urge me to get the vaccine, as if I weren't somehow trying to get it.  Or bragging that they got it for their parents.  In states where it's available.  Just miss me with that, thank you.

However, I did have the energy to cook this morning, wanting to make room for tomorrow's Misfits box.  So it was the rest of the frozen sweet potato gnocchi.

 

 And a sort of dish made from broccoli, scallions, the rest of the roasted garlic, pink salt, haven't used that in ages, nutmeg, with Parmesan and Vermont Sharp Cheddar grated over, and two beaten eggs added in.  I'd nuked the broccoli for two minutes before filling the dish.

This made three full meals.  Tomorrow after Misfits arrives,  there will be salad, always a high point of the menu around here, the Friday night salad.

And online I've been following the daily short videos of world class violinist and nice person, Hilary Hahn, doing 100 Days of Practice on Twitter.  To see someone who is one of the best on the planet actually learning new music, often commissioned by her, she loves modern composers, struggling now and then with fiendishly difficult bowing, explaining her process.

How the last year without the constant travel and performance has let her muscle and muscle memory lose their edge, and need to be built back.  It's amazing.  And very cheering.  Especially when her two year old daughter comes in and starts:  Mommy, practice SLOOOOOW.  Not too fast, now!  She knows her mother's technique of working out everything in slow motion before getting all the parts working up to performance level.

And if you're not aware of Hahn, and her genius, here she is playing Twinkle Twinkle. 

 Twinkle, twinkle, little star, Hahn

Like an incredible piece.  To Mozart it was Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman, to those of us who learned it on the piano, with variations.  I'd far rather hear it from Hilary.  As you see, a genius completely changes our relationship to even the simplest melody.  Just think what's she's doing with Prokofiev and Shostakovich and other composers she's making famous by commissioning from them.

One thing I love about her is that she likes little children, and everywhere she can, she will add to her regular concert performance a daytime brief free session of classical playing with parents invited to bring little children and babies, to sit on the floor and listen.  She's completely unbothered by kids crying or talking over her or grabbing at her knees to get closer to the music, and just plays as well for that audience as for an adult ticketed group.

I wonder how many young people  grow up with a different take on classical music from hearing it like this as a little kid, included in it, in a kind atmosphere.  She also likes to include moms who might not get the chance otherwise, too.  Not so easy to afford her concert prices and babysitting and all that comes with an evening out.

So despite my current doldrums, there are good things to be found everywhere. Including episodes of Sandi Toksvieg's ToxVox on YouTube which I listened to this morning, not being able to tolerate the news

Mixed blessing, but there's chocolate

This mountain of snow outside my window, which will be there till April probably, looks undesirable, but there's a good side: the birds have seized on it as a shelter from being observed, and are flocking to the feeder undisturbed.  For them it's a lot better than a street view. So there's that. And the Carolina wren started a mating/territory call yesterday.  That, too.

Meanwhile, Valentine's Day is almost here, and I see no reason why everyone is not qualified to celebrate.  So my neighbors are in for a few treats.  If my Indian neighbors are back, they'll be included.  And definitely the people who do such a lot for me and my car, and my cook friend across the street, and maybe even the unfriendly lady whose car went away the other day. Handsome Son, of course. So I made enough to go around.

 One ordinary chocolate cake, that simple recipe, only in a glass pan because I wanted it wider and thinner than usual

Then sliced into cubes, more or less, while I get ready to melt chocolate bits

then proceed to spoon melted chocolate over each cube, adding a  whole almond while the chocolate's still wet.

And now there are supplies in the freezer and the fridge.  I also left half a dozen unchoccied, for myself, not always wanting chocolate, I know, very odd.

 I also have white chocolate chips, but they'll be used another time, for something different.

This constitutes my Valiant Valentine Bit.

New ways to look at stuff

First, just getting in the mood for Valentine's Day,which I look on as a day for friendship, nothing to do with romantic relationships, which are a Hallmark idea that excludes far too many people.  But we can all find friends one way or another, and any way, years ago I got on a mobile making streak, and this is one I made.  And there will be treats to eat to celebrate the day, once I decide on them.

Over in Beautiful Metaphor, https://beautifulmetaphor.blogspot.com, I talk more about this and how to do it.  Blogger won't let me make a valid link to my other blog, so, sorry, it's cut and paste if you want to check it out.

Meanwhile, back online I was involved in a thread about looking at common things more acutely, and it brought me inevitably back to dovetails, and how to look at old furniture. I love all the clever ways carpenters and cabinetmakers joined invisibly or otherwise, furniture, with knowledge of wood and its tendencies.  It's a whole universe of knowledge.

Years ago I taught adult classes at the local college and in adult schools on how to identify antiques.  Some people were interested in furniture, so we did a bit of exploring of the sorts of features to look for.  I also used to bring in a part of a piece of furniture and challenge them to identify what it came from.  My favorite was a lovely old rosewood side piece from a dining chair, and it baffled almost everyone.  So I explained how knowing this sort of thing was a great help in barn sales or yard sales where stuff was cluttered up and stacked.  Auctions are the most expensive way to go, avoid them.

Good to examine furniture upside down, sideways, etc., so you can really see what's there. And the joins are a good indication of age and craftsmanship.  Take a look around your house and see what you've got, especially if they're family pieces.

Here's a nineteenth century join, in an oak washstand drawer, clearly machine made, and nice quality joining.  Not a hairline gap even after all this time.  It's also an attractive shape.

And here's an old piece, probably hand cut dovetails, which may indicate age or just a craftsman wanting to do handwork.  In this case, it's pretty old, but not very, since it's part of a printer's box, used to store metal type.  But it does date back to setting type in a wooden forme, then printing from that. But not exactly back to Caxton. 

When my brother was an apprentice in the building trade, long ago, his first task was to build his own toolbox.  These printer's boxes make me wonder if the same was true in the printing business.

And here's a nice Mission style drawer from a coffee table, fairly modern, since coffee tables weren't a thing back then, but a very nice quality, because you see there's dovetailing front and back.  Often you'll find furniture with front dovetails where they can be seen, and just nailing at the back where people don't get to look.

And here's a piece made by a craftsman friend from rescued bits of wood around the shop, just put together in a good enough fashion, no need to get fancy.  Nails and glue for a decorative tiny drawer in the top of a library table.

 I used to have great fun with students all so keen to identify their own possessions and learn more about what they might find at a flea market.  Tips such as: just because an antique cup is set on a saucer, don't assume they belong together. Old trick to make you think so.  Look again.  

And just because someone's grandmother owned a set of dishes and she "lived on a farm", supposedly a guarantee of antiquity, doesn't mean she couldn't have fancied new dishes after WW2 and got a set of Fiesta, lovely bright colors, and as modern as can be.  Collectible, appealing, but not rare, nor antique.

BREAKING NEWS: on the insect front.  this morning I found a sleepy fuzzy bumblebee on its back on the windowsill.  I'm guessing he had hibernated in a plant, probably the orchid I was given in the Fall, and was just now coming to.  So I collected him in a paper tissue, hearing him waking up and buzzing indignantly from within, and set him outside in a sunny spot near the edge of the empty flower pots and the deck where he could find shelter and leaves to keep him warm until there's pollen available.  I looked out a few minutes later and he'd gone.  So I'm guessing he knew what to do.

More snow, olive oil, soup, wisdom of Maisie

Another storm started this morning, and is now at the point where police are begging people to stay off the roads, at home, that is, since a whole lot of optimistic drivers set off this morning and went off the road in no time.  Impassable bridges, slippery corners, ditches, fill in the blanks.

But there's always soup.  Which reminds me, it beats me when I read other bloggers who complain they have nothing to write about! Because they're home, some even with families and pets.  How do they manage it? I seem to have enough ideas that I choose which to bother with each day.  Well, moving along here.

Last night I roasted potatoes for supper with a fried egg, comfort food, and put the butternut squash in at the same time, 400F for half an hour, so it was nicely done ready to use this morning.  The seeds are now flung out on the patio for the squirrels who love them. They're still warm, too, so they have a hot meal coming.

 

Butternut squash, cashews, carrot greens.  And the usual cast of assistant spices, kosher salt, nutmeg, turmeric, Old Bay, chicken stock.  I added milk powder after I'd blended, and it's definitely a good idea.

 This is my current Misfits olive oil, the best, lovely stuff, great flavor.  Which brings up a point: I don't agree that there's a cooking grade of olive oil.  Or of wine, come to that.  If you don't want to drink the sherry, why on earth would you cook with it? Likewise, people insist that this very high grade of oil is for finishing, for salads, and so on.  Yes, but I see no reason why I can't use it for anything else.  And that malarkey about the smoking point doesn't apply to soup.  So I use the best, and it's lovely.

 

And I like these people, too, note the instructions on storing it.

 And here's lunch.  It's very good, because I soaked the cashews overnight, better than a couple of hours.  And the color comes from the carrot greens, whose flavor works as well as carrots in this soup, I find. I don't think I'll ever get tired of soup.  Just as well, I suppose.  

This afternoon is Misfits Choice afternoon, where I Build My Box, as they grandly put it.  And where I get to choose salads greens, too.  Last night I dreamed I'd done it all, and the box had arrived, and I woke thinking oh good, I'll have a salad today.  Oh, wait, that was a dream only.

 Then there's the What Would Maisie Do book, which has quite a few helpful thoughts for meditating on, very a propos at this time, though the book came out before the pandemic.  And yes, everyone in the world is facing a change in circumstance just now. So it's worth thinking on this one.  It's like a fortune cookie thought, only it makes sense.

Indoors gardening, outdoors prep for the slopes, goodbye to an antique car

This morning I dug out the little oak tree, which had a surprisingly long stem before roots appeared.  The redness of the stem adds some force to our thinking that it's a red, or a scarlet, oak. As well as the leaf shape. And there is the acorn.  Full marks to all the people who suggested oak.

It was high time to remove it from the plant, since it was starting to heave under the roots, and would have been a real problem if I had left it there to see what would happen.

And I found the little pot I had been thinking of using was way too shallow, so for the moment, it will live in water, until Spring when I transplant it to the woods outside to go back to its family.

While all this was going on, kids finally came out to play in the snow, bringing sleds, earmuffs, ski gloves and various paraphernalia ready for the time on the slopes.  Which currently include mountains of plowed snow from the last snowstorm. Just before the next one, which is tomorrow, another few inches.

 And my neighbor had her ancient historic MG citron color sports car, which has been taking up a spot for about fifteen years, unmoving, pretty much considered junk, even though with a noble lineage, finally towed.  

I saw her sadly handing over the key and the title to the tow truck man, and I wonder if she's found a collector interested in restoring it.  It may be past it, though, after so many years of disuse.  She was very attached to it, and seemed incapable of moving on it.  One of those people who do a lot of talking before any walking starts.  

Perhaps the HOA issued yet another final demand for her to move it offsite.  I think this was a very difficult afternoon for her, so hard to part with anything, and this probably had a lot of memories with it.  I didn't get pictures, thinking it would be heartless to treat it just as an event.  You do get involved with cars, and it's sad to say goodbye. I already have a complicated relationship with my Fit, after just a short time.

Plant detective alert and other vital issues

 This morning I was doing a bit of housekeeping on this plant, removing spent foliage

 And noticed this little sprig at the base of the plant. 

 

As you see, quite different leaf form, probably a hitch hiker.  But I'm wondering what it might be.  Anyone who can identify it, please do! 

 This plant has been in my collection since it came from next door's collection in late summer last year.  So I don't know what the origin might be.  Could be seeded from another of my own plants, except I don't recognize the foliage at all.  Or it could be an opportunistic weed plant which has lain dormant for who knows how long.  Or a baby tree, planted by squirrels when the plant was outdoors last summer.  My money's on a tree. I'm thinking of digging it up and giving it its own pot, to see what happens.

And, since I'm in contemplative mood, this is my latest book from the library, an actual paper book, with rounded corners, old fashioned diary style.  I don't know much about it, except that the writer drew on her own novels to find interesting paths to think about and maybe act on.  It came out a couple of years ago, but seems relevant right now.

And remember I was wondering about buying a tablet, then suddenly got a new phone? This is why. See the tape.

One of the governing buttons, the sound control rocker switch, fell off  the old phone somewhere, never noticed it was gone until I realized I couldn't change the sound levels at all.  All the internal screens end up directing you to the external button.  And I realized I'd better get a new phone in case the other, the on/off switch, went the same way.

So I did, and I use the old phone like the tablet I nearly bought, same functionality for my purposes, saved me quite a bit. I access websites and audiobooks, take pix, everything except phone and text. And the pix I take on here appear on my new phone anyway, all synced.

Then yesterday, I noticed a little metal thing on the kitchen counter, where I'd been using the old phone to take pix for blogz.  Thought at first it was a bit of tinfoil, nearly swept it into the garbage, then took another look.  And realized it was the other button, the much more important on/off one, which had fallen off.  I set it back in place, and to make sure it didn't get permanently lost, taped it.  It works just fine with this diy fix.  Too bad I didn't find the rocker (sound) switch before it vanished into the ether.

And I scrutinize the new phone, same design, frequently, to make sure its buttons don't go MIA.

And, on the subject of Other Clever Things I Did, I managed to get gas for my car this morning. Only the second tank since I bought it last March.  But the tricky bit is that I couldn't for the life of me get the gas cap open. The switch was awkward to reach, down left of my foot, impossible to see what direction to push or yank or slide or what. And I was wondering whether to get gas after the library and realized that the dopey gas cap control was putting me off.  So I decided I'd just do it.  And to my astonishment, managed for the first time to get it open without the aid of the impatient garage mechanic reaching past me and banging it open with a grunt of annoyance.  So now I can do that.

There was a slight hitch when I found I couldn't open the window because I'd turned the engine off.  I thought I could get the driver side window open without the engine on, but noooo. So I had to pay through an open door, gah.  Anyway, it's done for another four or so months! I have the econo setting for fuel on. Not exactly vital at this time.  

This Fit is well named, considering the fits it's given me in our short relationship to date.

Miniature update from the world of nature

 C. just sent me a picture of a healthy housefly running about on the snow.  What? Aren't they supposed to be sleeping or finding a way into my kitchen or something?

I saw her and raised her the mosquito I found in the living room a couple of nights ago, whining around my head and making spirited attempts to bite.

Just sayin that nature doesn't seem to sleep the way she used to.  Too bad.

And about that fence replacement that caused us all such urgent pruning and worrying back last summer?  

The fence people, still without the replacement fencing, it's stuck in a warehouse somewhere back of beyond, the pandemic having disrupted all sorts of supply chains, have been round several times, in teams, with official looking clipboards. 

Including at the start of the snowstorm.  They and my neighbor shouting over the wind, discussing the stuff he might have to move, all with snow blowing in all directions, no doubt blotting out the clipboard notes.  They're determined, I'll give them that.

What this has to do with nature observation is this: on my rotted out old wooden gatepost there is a perfectly beautiful colony of miniature fungi, which I observe frequently. 

It's a brilliant red and green world, easy to imagine in a picture book.  And no doubt when the new synthetic fences, I bet anything they won't use wood, are installed, there won't be a handy fungus observatory for me.  

Fortunately we have a lot of local trees with plenty of populations to examine and wonder about.  Such wealth everywhere, really.  I bless our climate, with the cold winters enabling the spring growths, and the rain bringing on all kinds of interesting plant life.

Oh, the snowdrops as of this morning:

Under there. No doubt still blooming. I think the tracks are squirrels.

News from the feeders, avian and human

Dispatch from the front: the feeder out front, that is.  This morning, thanks to the extra suet block I put out  before the storm, there were customers, now that the wind has dropped and the snow isn't weighing down their wings.  

The usual juncoes diving in, the occasional  wren,  and, great excitement, a rose breasted nuthatch.  They only show up about once a year, about this time. I wonder if they're migratory.  The white breasted are always around. They're easily deterred by other birds, and tend to wait quietly until they can come and feed in peace. So great to see the rose breasted no.

The feeding front for the humans was about a dish I've been thinking about.  Baked rigatoni with sausage and mushroom.  Except I didn't have rigatoni, and the steps the recipes gave seemed a bit extra.  Also they talked about mild sausage, what's the point.

Anyway, I made it with macaroni, the rest of the hot sausages, and most of the mushrooms.  I had cooked the pasta earlier today, plenty of salt in the water. No need to add more to the recipe.  So, as the pasta was finishing up, I sauteed the mushrooms in butter with a sprig of Thai basil in, while I browned the sausage in olive oil.

Then, after the macaroni drained, I grated Vermont sharp cheddar over it and mixed it in to melt, before adding in the sausage and the mushrooms complete with the butter sauce.

Grated Parmesan into the mix, then more over the top, then baked the lot for about half an hour at 325F.  Since everything was cooked, no need to use a hotter oven, just enough to get the flavors going together.  No need for more seasoning, since the sausage is hot and spicy, and the mushrooms flavored with the butter.

This earthenware dish is great for even heat. It's large so it doesn't get much mileage. But for today, just right.

It was definitely good.  Several more helpings to go.  And this is a Plan B recipe, because if I get tired of eating it as is, I'll divide it and add to whatever soup I make next.  Sausage, mushrooms and pasta always go happily in soup, especially if tomatoes are involved, which they probably will be.

My plans to do a pickup from the library were postponed when Handsome Son announced he was making his snow-postponed visit this afternoon. 

Banana bread ready, check. Teatray, check. Teapots, plural, check. Bring it!

Free at last, more or less

 So, after a day of worrying about whether my car would finally start, under the load of snow and two days of not being turned on, I got out finally this morning, only one neighbor out digging, and cut a little way through kneedeep snow to get to the car, release the driver side door, and slide in.  And it started, great relief.  I had worried about having to jump it under pressure when the plows needed it moved so they could finish the parking lot.  We have tight parking, and we have to move cars around to allow access to the plows of various sizes to get in and clear completely. 

My across the street neighbor came out to join me, dug a better path so I wouldn't fall down in the snow, and suggested I put the engine to defrost while it was running anyway.  Great idea, released the snow faster from the roof.  And now it's more or less okay to go.  He said, another Michael, my life is full of lovely men named Michael, that he could easily get it out now if necessary.  My other helpful neighbor not in evidence at all this morning.  But I know help is at hand anyway. 

Officially the storm's done by 5 p.m. today.  True nor'easter, except with snow instead of torrential rain.  Could have been worse. And very few neighbors lost power.

Car breathing again, its load of snow gone

And neighbor getting a breather across the street on his porch.  I think banana bread is in his near future.  He's a wonderful cook, so I shan't tell him what's in it, just let him analyze it.

Now I can get on to important things, like my online knitting group and the big plans I have embarked on for my jacket, all explained at https://beautifulmetaphor.blogspot.com.  Blogger no longer lets me link between my own blogs, so cut and paste is needed if you're interested in following up.  Give it a while, though, since I haven't yet written the latest blogpost.

Last night, in the throes of vaccine envy, I went online yet again, signed up for yet another site in addition to the all others, and found that there is still nothing available.  Unless you're in a high risk occupation or a medical worker.  Some local sites have nothing, no matter who you are. So I continue to mask and wait, but, I'm well, and capable of digging out my own car still, so there's that.

Reasonably happy camper here!  And thank you everyone who was so concerned about safety and the snow and the power and all that.  We appear to have survived again.

Wheeeee!!!

.

Soup and salad served

 A large pot of soup happened last evening. Snow prep. So here's lunch today.  Tomato, many onions, chickpeas added after the blending. Tomato salad with just oil and vinegar, sea salt, black pepper. Ripened on the windowsill.

A very red lunch, tomatoes in every form.

Then another run at banana bread, only with banana, no adventures with pumpkin this time.  I just happened to have three ripe bananas, first time in many weeks.  One cup AP, half cup wholewheat pastry flour, golden raisins, crushed walnuts, fresh ginger chunks.

If it ever stops snowing, and neighbors help with digging out my car, some of this may find its way to their house. Right now, that's not for today.  Nobody has even tried to get out, except one hardy soul went somewhere, plowing through the dug snow.  I can't even get to my car, snow too deep.

 Dessert.  Pretty good, too. I like ginger in cake in little cubes like this.  I'm not a fan of prepping ginger for the freezer, but it lasts for ages, and I'm usually glad I did.

Candlemas Day! White Rabbits!

 Also a big snow. Supposed to continue till 1 pm tomorrow.  State of emergency, usual thing.

The primulas putting up a good show all about spring

And I'm fervently glad my neighbors removed the cherry tree, or it would be crashed across the patio at this point

No loss of power up to now, cosy indoors, pot of tea and honey on hot biscuit for breakfast.

So far, so good.

Candlemas, Candlemas, Candlemas Day!

Throw all your candles and candlesticks away!

Traditional rhyme for the day, always seemed a bit premature to me, only February.

Also Saint Brigid's Day, saint of healing, very timely of her.