iditarod.com/about/:
“The race pits man and animal against nature”
I believe that when you are working in a most focused manner to manage the reins of the dogs and are basically skiing down a trail of ice and snow, faster than you feel is safe or comfortable, it is called the Iditarod.
Well, we are at the point now that leaving the house is a challenge. Today, when I got up it was 6F. Then it went to 3F. Having walked the dog dutifully each day so far this week, I felt I was nearly taking my life into my own hands. I guess I am now at the point where I am actually fearful of falling on the ice and every time that thought comes into my head, I can’t believe it. I have never been afraid of the elements before, but having taken a couple of crashes outside my own house this week while filling the bird feeders and chasing photos, I can tell you we are definitely in the bruise-worthy ice pack.
As I walked along at a glacial pace yesterday, I kept telling myself and Kit, who remarkably seems to recall her Seeing Eye Training, diligently slowing down and attempting to guide me, ever-so-carefully and lovingly, across the treachery of the terrain, that at least the sun is out and this will all be over soon……….
Well, having had that experience 4 days in a row, I turned to the scone and cooking challenge. One of the things I despise about this time of year is how the range of activities narrows down so – at least for me, since hanging around the house doing anything but cooking or gardening just isn’t my thing and, we know, working outside is not an option. Jeepers, you can’t even shovel the snow, something I usually like to do.
I have already done two things that I feel are symbolic of my feelings about the first week of February. I removed the Christmas wreaths from my front and side doors because I don’t want to look at them any more. I would take down the wreath on the side of our little garage, except that I can’t get into the door to climb the ladder to the attic to unhook it because the piles of frozen remnants of the snow plow are locking me out. I also put away my set of Woodland Spode dishes because I can’t stand them any more either. No more brown dishes. I have turned over to the Spring/Summer collections. Ha! There! I sneer at the whole concept of Winter to myself, knowing full well that does, well, basically nothing. Hrrrumph. Such is the nature of the little games I must play with myself. In a month or so, I will actually attempt to leave the house in a sweater and a pair of flats, sans coat…..hahahaha. Who’s fooling who here? It never ceases to amaze me that I actually try to put one over on nature and reality. Well, whatever, I get a little chuckle out of it for a mere instant, if nothing else.
The only thing I can think of to do to soothe myself today is to trundle on over to the Farm to get some full-blooming Hellebores. Maybe some other retail therapy?
photo courtesy Farm at Green Village (http://www.thefarmatgreenvillage.com)
Well, turning to a slightly more productive note. Here is my list for today’s top 10 preferred and effort-worthy activities for you in your own toasty warm kitchen, avec recipe suggestions:
1. Make brioche dough for loaves and cinnamon buns 🙂 http://www.twoofakindcooks.com/brioche-cinnamon-rolls/
these look great
2. Make Chili – http://kitchen-inspirational.com/2012/09/26/my-new-turkey-chili/
3. Start a Cassoulet – via the beloved Charles and Lindsey Shere cshere.blogspot.com/2007/11/cassoulet.html
4. Make Julia della Croce’s Polenta Lasagna – zesterdaily.com/cooking/how-to-make-sumptuous-italian-lasagna-without-pasta/
5. Have a Blood Orange/Meyer Lemon party – make a blood orange/meyer lemon tart swirled with raspberry coulis – http://kitchen-inspirational.com/2014/03/07/swirling-curds-coulis/
6. Roast some sweet potatoes to make sweet potato scones, biscuits or rolls for tomorrow
7. Make Ina Garten’s Beef Bourguignon – foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/beef-bourguignon-recipe.html
8.Soak some beans for a favorite bean dish – I like the Moroccan Lamb dish from here – epicurious.com/archive/howtocook/dishes/beans
9.Make a deep-dish quiche for lunch – try this Thomas Keller recipe and feel free to add/change foodandwine.com/recipes/over-the-top-mushroom-quiche
10.Make an Osso Buco – finecooking.com/recipes/osso-buco.aspx
Or, you can always just make the Desperate Days pancakes or these Chocolate Chunk/Orange with heavenly Mascarpone Cream and Crushed Pistachios 🙂 – which will leave you ready for a nice nap under a warm wool afghan afterwards……….
kitchen-inspirational.com/2013/02/10/snowstorms-snowbound-and-carb-loading-chocolate-chunk-orange-pancakes-with-heavenly-mascarpone-cream-and-crushed-pistachios/;kitchen-inspirational.com/2012/05/22/desperate-days-call-for-desperate-measures/
Some great recipes here, as well:kitchen-inspirational.com/2014/01/28/the-jewels-of-winter-season-of-seeds-nuts-and-dried-fruits/
Have a lovely day.
What I’m reading this week:
The Land Where Lemons Grow – The Story of Italy and Its Citrus Fruit by Henena Attlee, Flavor Flours by Alice Medrich and Al Dente, A History of Food in Italy by Fabio Parasecoli. <3