Monday, it’s supposed to be 38 and breezy.
Tuesday, it’s supposed to be 37 and mostly sunny.
Wednesday, it’s supposed to be 42, with a chance of drizzle.
Thursday, it’s supposed to be 54 with a slight chance of drizzle! The low on Thursday will be higher than the high temps for Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday: 46 degrees!
I think this may be the spring teaser that we usually get toward the end of January.
I’m ready for March, with the spring winds and things turning green. It’s not so far away, now.
Daily Archives: February 13, 2011
HOT DATE, DEUX!
Imagine my surprise when Dear Husband turned to me and asked if I cared to go grocery shopping with him! I had been wanting to take him to a local chain that carries almost everything Italian. We finally made that trip, and it was fun to see him checking out the aisles. I believe that he could have happily spent three hours shopping!
So, we went again today. This time I had several new recipes in mind, and it was the perfect place to get the ingredients. I have never cooked with fennel. At this store fennel is called “California anise.” I think fennel might be one of the ingredients that gives a vegetable broth depth and complexity. I plan to make my own vegetable broth for soup later this week. I need to read up on using fennel, so that I know how much to use, and whether to use the lacy greens or just the bulbous part.
We found a pasta called “mafaldine” that might work in a pasta dish I want to do. I’ve found a lightened version of Bolognese sauce to try later this week. I bought several small eggplants and plan to roast them for this casserole using Bolognese sauce, cubed eggplant, crumbled Italian sausage and mafaldine. The pasta is a long strip that has a ruffle on one long edge.
I have a new recipe for bread pudding for dessert on Valentine’s Day. This one calls for coconut milk. We found cans of it in two of the ethnic sections. I could see the wheels turning as Dear Husband looked at all that was offered and though about how he might use things we don’t normally have in our pantry.
We’re going to make saganaki one evening, and one of the deli men talked us into trying a cheese other than Kaseri. I’m too lazy to look up the name. I’ll let you know what it is if it turns out to be good! *G* We also bought Gruyere for something called a “Grape Pickers’ Skillet” that’s in the February “Cuisine at Home” magazine. My only other experience with Gruyere is in fondue.
It was fun! We so rarely get to shop together it was novel to spend the time wandering through the store. I’m delighted to have some new things to try. DH helped me bring in all the goodies, and put lots of them away for me. It’s been a pleasant day, one I hope we’ll repeat occasionally.
Little Things
Mother and I shared little things throughout our days together. One of the highlights of Spring was the race to see who would be the first to see a robin. Although we’ve recently been told that robins do not migrate during the winter, WE have never seen a robin while there is snow on the ground. So, imagine our amazement this morning, when Dear Husband and I both saw two robins in one of our trees! Either there was a little “Do you think we might…?” going on, or there was some gentle claiming of territory. This is the earliest either of us has ever seen a robin, and the only time we have seen them when there has been so much snow on the ground. I wonder what they heck they are eating in place of worms!?
Our snow is melting! I don’t know what the high for the day was, but it was very pleasant outside after a week of frigid temps. I think it might have been 40 or so degrees. There was water on the pavement in places, and the ice on our driveway has started to melt off.
I’ve been searching on-line for a source for a special pasta shape. Years ago DH and I went to a restaurant in Lake Forest, Illinois, where his daughter was working as a waiter. DH ordered a casserole that had Italian sausage, eggplant, perhaps a Bolognese sauce and a pasta that I had never seen before. It was long, narrow and had a ruffle on one long side. It looked like a lasagna noodle that had been cut down the center. I’ve found a smaller version with ruffles on both long edges called “mafaldine.” At one website I found a description of the pasta I want, under the name “tripoline,” but I can’t find a source for it. Maybe I’ll just cook lasagna noodles and then cut them apart!
Today I boxed up 94 granny squares to be sent off to Share a Square. Twenty seven of them are mine. Four other women have contributed to this group. I’ve found it very satisfying to sit with DH at night and crank out one or two of these squares. It doesn’t take many of them before you learn what kind of yarn you prefer to use. I have some yarn that feels like steel wool, that is going to find another home.
For some reason our house is so dusty that it’s a trial to keep up with it. I noticed today that the spiky palm-tree-like plant in my bathroom had an obvious layer of dust on the leaves, so one of my chores was to wash the leaves. I just used water and a soft cloth, but it made quite a difference. The ivy is next, but I’m going to use the shower on it.
I spent yesterday sewing together a pieced border for a small whole-cloth quilt I want to make for Scraps on a Mission. Unfortunately, I’m beginning to think that it might be inappropriate…too busy…not enough contrast…. It just feels wrong. I’m going to finish assembling the four strips, pin them on my design wall, and then audition them with two border strips to see if the extra borders will make it work. If not, I’ve got borders made for some other quilt, and I’ll make something different for the original project. I don’t know how I ever did without a design wall! Other than having all my quilting things in one place, that wall is the best thing about having a studio.
As you can see, things are quiet, as usual. This week I need to start working on the tax planners for Mother’s taxes and ours. Oh, joy……