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Jan. 3rd, 2004
Letters to the years
Jan. 3rd, 2004 11:08 amCross-posted to a 100words email group:
Dear 2003, I discovered important things about myself during you. In recovering from surgery I noticed my unusual resilience. I enjoyed my friends more than ever before. I found LiveJournal. I found 100words. I reawakened my love of photography. I began identifying as polyamorous. I met Danny and fell in love for the first time in years. For the first time ever, I did it cautiously. In November I wrote my first complete draft of a novel. Despite all these positive things, I ended you feeling insecure as ever. I didn't find work. I think I have a social phobia.
Dear 2004, after one of the best years of my life, why do I fear you so much? It would be nice to think all I have to do is get a steady income and everything will be fine. The truth is I have always been afraid, and was far more miserable in the years I was working. I'm beginning to realize that insecurity will never go away. I have to learn to live and be happy in spite of it. December 31, could you send me a little message to reassure me I will make some progress this year?
Dear 2003, I discovered important things about myself during you. In recovering from surgery I noticed my unusual resilience. I enjoyed my friends more than ever before. I found LiveJournal. I found 100words. I reawakened my love of photography. I began identifying as polyamorous. I met Danny and fell in love for the first time in years. For the first time ever, I did it cautiously. In November I wrote my first complete draft of a novel. Despite all these positive things, I ended you feeling insecure as ever. I didn't find work. I think I have a social phobia.
Dear 2004, after one of the best years of my life, why do I fear you so much? It would be nice to think all I have to do is get a steady income and everything will be fine. The truth is I have always been afraid, and was far more miserable in the years I was working. I'm beginning to realize that insecurity will never go away. I have to learn to live and be happy in spite of it. December 31, could you send me a little message to reassure me I will make some progress this year?
Another reason for not moving
Jan. 3rd, 2004 04:33 pmThat seems to be the theme of the day.
I live one block from The Greek Garden, my favourite restaurant in town. Right around the corner is Eggcetra. They're both inexpensive with long menus, good food, good service and nice atmosphere.
And the kids like Eggcetra. Here is "Simply eggs and meat" for $3.99, which Marian ordered this afternoon from Eggcetra's all-day breakfast menu.
Brenna had her favourite, spaghetti, and I had a ham and egg crepe. The kitchen sink has a major leak and I can't get a plumber until Monday, so I'm taking a holiday from dishes this weekend.
I live one block from The Greek Garden, my favourite restaurant in town. Right around the corner is Eggcetra. They're both inexpensive with long menus, good food, good service and nice atmosphere.
And the kids like Eggcetra. Here is "Simply eggs and meat" for $3.99, which Marian ordered this afternoon from Eggcetra's all-day breakfast menu.
Brenna had her favourite, spaghetti, and I had a ham and egg crepe. The kitchen sink has a major leak and I can't get a plumber until Monday, so I'm taking a holiday from dishes this weekend.
Turkey pie
Jan. 3rd, 2004 11:38 pmSarah turned 24 on Dec. 27, so I wanted to have her and Sylvie over for dinner while my daughters are here. My sink is broken, so instead we took supper over to Marg's, where the grrrls are house-sitting. Sarah is wonderful with kids, and my daughters have become quickly attached to her. She took them out to rent a movie while Sylvie and I put our heads together over dinner. I brought the food. She dug a recipe out of a French cookbook, which I have loosely translated. Turkey leftovers are delightful in many forms, but this is the best I have ever tasted, better than the roast itself. Those French!
Pâte de dinde
I recipe for biscuits (use Bisquick or Tea-Bisk) or double pie crust
1 cup minced onion
1 Tbsp. minced green pepper
2 Tbsp. butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup
½ cup milk
2 cups chopped cooked turkey ("dinde")
¾ cups cooked vegetables (carrots and peas are nice)
½ tsp. salt
pinch pepper
Preheat oven to 450°F. Prepare the biscuit recipe. Sauté onions and pepper in butter until tender. Add remaining ingredients, stir and pour into a casserole. Roll out the biscuit mix, cut into two-inch rounds and place on top of the turkey mixture. Bake in oven for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also use the turkey mixture to fill a pie instead of using biscuit mix. Prepare the filling the same way, pour it into a prepared pie shell, cover it with pastry, prick the top and bake it at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Brenna, Sarah and Marian kept busy while Sylvie and I got the pâte in the oven. After dinner, Brenna and I snuck away to put some birthday candles on a chocolate fudge cake from the grocery store and bring it out for Sarah. As a gift, clever Bren had made a little dream catcher out of wire, seed beads and a white feather I found for her. Then we sat back to watch A Knight's Tale, a wonderfully silly way to spend the evening.
As we pulled out of Marg's driveway, I have to admit my stomach tightened at the possibility of having to confront my neighbours again this evening, but when we got home their windows were dark and the upstairs was silent. When they go to bed, they do it early. It was a reprieve.
I had a pleasant last day with Marian and Brenna. Tomorrow I have to drive them home.
Pâte de dinde
I recipe for biscuits (use Bisquick or Tea-Bisk) or double pie crust
1 cup minced onion
1 Tbsp. minced green pepper
2 Tbsp. butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup
½ cup milk
2 cups chopped cooked turkey ("dinde")
¾ cups cooked vegetables (carrots and peas are nice)
½ tsp. salt
pinch pepper
Preheat oven to 450°F. Prepare the biscuit recipe. Sauté onions and pepper in butter until tender. Add remaining ingredients, stir and pour into a casserole. Roll out the biscuit mix, cut into two-inch rounds and place on top of the turkey mixture. Bake in oven for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also use the turkey mixture to fill a pie instead of using biscuit mix. Prepare the filling the same way, pour it into a prepared pie shell, cover it with pastry, prick the top and bake it at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Brenna, Sarah and Marian kept busy while Sylvie and I got the pâte in the oven. After dinner, Brenna and I snuck away to put some birthday candles on a chocolate fudge cake from the grocery store and bring it out for Sarah. As a gift, clever Bren had made a little dream catcher out of wire, seed beads and a white feather I found for her. Then we sat back to watch A Knight's Tale, a wonderfully silly way to spend the evening.
As we pulled out of Marg's driveway, I have to admit my stomach tightened at the possibility of having to confront my neighbours again this evening, but when we got home their windows were dark and the upstairs was silent. When they go to bed, they do it early. It was a reprieve.
I had a pleasant last day with Marian and Brenna. Tomorrow I have to drive them home.