maison rustique

On my husband's last Father's day his daughters sent a lovely plant arrangement. He never really understood what it was and kept carrying it out of his room and putting it in other places in the facility. The staff would bring it back but it sort of got neglected in terms of watering. At the time he died, there was one straggly plant left alive. My sister took it and I completely forgot about it. She potted it and nursed it and it is now huge and gorgeous. She recently brought it to me.

Two Bluebird couples came to celebrate the Solstice this morning. Pardon the winter grunge on the windows and deck.

Found some BBQ Rancho Gordo beans in the freezer from earlier this year. Heated them up with a couple of my ribs from the other day.

Pork tenderloin, apples, onion, Brussels sprouts with butter, white wine and seasonings.

@Wilfrid I was not familiar with pounti, so just looked up recipes. I'll be making this--will try your almond flour idea!

Here in the mid-west it has been ping-ponging between brutally cold and unseasonably mild. Craziest winter ever.

Unbelievable. I thought I was dreaming when I heard it this morning.

This made me so sad. I can't imagine growing up without knowing the joy of losing myself in a book.

I'm saying cheerful, but it is bittersweet. The auction folks came and picked up my militaria and related collections yesterday. It seems so empty. I had such fun collecting over the years--all the vets and families I met, dealers, fellow collectors. Had a ton of fun. I really enjoyed them. But I do feel lighter. One story... I've had a full mannequin dressed in a WWI uniform in my house for about 30 years now. This particular mannequin had a very pretty face so I called him Klinger. One time in California, I had a police officer at my house to file a report on behalf of 3rd Bn 5th Marines (my adopted guys). He walked in and saw Klinger standing by the window and did a double take. He said it was an excellent burglar deterrent because from outside it just looked like a big guy standing there. So, Klinger took up residence here in Liberty when we moved--by the window. Klinger is now gone. At least for now, he'll be residing in Cape Girardeau, MO. Have fun, Klinger--thanks for your protection!!

Grrrr! It is effing 19 F here this morning. Why oh why did I ever leave SoCalif!!!

I'm so sorry. What a horrible accident.

When his kids were young, my husband and I always used to tell his kids we were having chicken-ripple ice cream. We weren't of course, but we'd love the horrified look on their faces.

I ordered some Effie's Homemade Gruyere Biscuits and they arrived yesterday. OMG! A new obsession. Peppery. A hint of gruyere. They will be great with Brie or another soft, mild cheese if I can keep from eating all of them until I get cheese.

Snow & Cold are 4 letter words! Bah!!

Recently read Miss Eliza's English Kitchen and thoroughly enjoyed it. The food/cooking was interesting, but even more than that was the attitude about women and their roles, as well as poverty and status.

Turkey, sugar-cured bacon and Pave cheese.

Not to completely go off-topic, but the last time I was supposed to go to Montreal, I was running down the stairs with my passport, fell and broke my foot. No trip for me. T-Day meal at Lidia's was fabulous as always. I may never eat again. Stuffed.

My small family and I are going back to Lidia's this year. It was so wonderful last year that we seem to be making it a tradition. https://www.lidias-kc.com/event/thanksgiving/ Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

Frozen Momo with the runny but tasty chutney that comes with. I found a cuke in the fridge that I'd forgotten about so threw together a last minute raita with it.

I'm now at the age where on the rare occasion my doctor tells me I need to change my diet, I tell him I am going to eat whatever the hell I want. I've lived a very nice life and done a lot of stuff that many only dream about. I really don't care if I am shortening my life by 6 months by eating all the carbs/fat/salt/alcohol. I've earned the right.

I have tons of food/leftovers but had ordered this from the milkman and when it got here, I couldn't get it into the freezer, so it's what's for supper. Doctored slightly with onion, Kalamatas and more cheese. It is my favorite frozen pizza. Am sure my late husband was drooling in his afterlife as he loved it as much as I do. Happy belated anniversary to us (Monday).

Are you sitting down? I came close to actually cooking. I'm calling it Faux Cooking.

Thank you!!

Still cleaning out pantries and freezer. Vintage bucatini, puttanesca and Italian sausage.

Oh, I wish I still got the New Yorker. I'd love to read that.