Peace and Quiet

Outside my window... the sun is shining now; the thunderstorm has ceased for the present.


I am thinking... that the mail should be here soon. It’s usually delivered between 3:30 and 5:00 pm.


I am thankful... for the chance to take it slow today. I slept tons yesterday due to a headache and slept again overnight, but I still feel drowsy and lame-brained.


In the kitchen... I made Cherry-Almond Oatmeal for breakfast and tuna salad to eat on saltines for lunch. For dinner, I’m thinking Lentil Salad using a cucumber from my garden.


I am wearing... my pajamas. I haven’t dressed for the day yet, and since it’s nearly 3 pm already, it’s doubtful that I will. I love pajamas; they are the comfiest clothes.


I am creating... an awesome recipe collection and perhaps a cookbook someday. At this moment I have almost 1,900 recipes on my ZipList account, a portion of which I’ve tried and approved and others that seem worth making at some point. On my Delicious account, I keep a record of and tag the “keepers” although only the ones from public sources may be viewed. (I have also typed up some of my favorite recipes from my cookbooks to have on hand in digital format, but I don’t share those out of respect for the authors’ labor.)


I am going... to push my errands back a day: the fingerprinting and the TB test. It mightn’t be wise, but the delay better fits my energy level.


I am wondering... if other people have watched the movie or read the book Under the Tuscan Sun and how they would rate them. I just watched the movie and though some of the values did not line up with mine, I enjoyed the gentleness and the humor of the movie. And of course, the vistas of the region. Florence was my favorite of Italy’s cities that we visited during my childhood. Good memories.


I am reading... I finished Carved in Bone and will go on to the next in the series, Flesh and Bone, as soon as I can stop by the library again to borrow it. In the meantime, here’s a list of the nonfiction I’m skimming through:

1. Southern Living The Half-Hour Hostess
2. Christmas with Southern Living 2010
3. Doodle Stitching
4. Magazines: Knit ‘n Style, Taste of Home, Family Circle, Southern Living

I am hoping... to be more energetic and productive tomorrow.


I am looking forward to... fall, my second favorite of the seasons. I love when the weather gets chilly and windy and seeing all the glorious colors of the leaves against blue skies.


I am hearing... the end credit music of In Harm’s Way, the ticking of a clock, and the a/c running.


Around the house... I ran the “hand wash” pans through the dishwasher without soap after giving them a cursory scrubbing by hand. Now I need to empty and reload the dishwasher to get all the dishes clean.


I am pondering... what movie to put on next for background noise. I think I’ll go for Rio Bravo.


One of my favorite things... is peace and quiet. Luckily, I’m stocking up on both today. ;-)


A few plans for the rest of the week: Back to errands. I should also plan some meals so I know what produce to shop for at the grocery store.


This journal entry is part of The Simple Woman's Daybook project.

A LONG Day

Outside my window... The blinds are closed, but today I saw a four-legged creature sitting in the middle of one of my garden plots eating the chard. I’d been wondering about the culprit; I didn’t think it was caterpillars because there was no evidence of any hiding among the leaves. And then the carrot tops were eaten nearly to nubs. That destruction happened so quickly, I felt sure it wasn’t insects. When I raised my voice the critter waddled off into the shrubbery before I could identify it. Its coat was roughly the same gray-brown as an Eastern cottontail’s, but the creature was larger, moved differently, and seemed less skittish than rabbits ordinarily are. So, I only know that caterpillars don’t deserve the blame.

I am thinking... that it has been a L-O-N-G day—it felt like three days rather than one. I woke just before 3 am after a mere 2.5 hours of sleep. Despite the insane hour, I truly was awake. I emptied the fridge of leftover ingredients and ran the dishwasher, watered the seeds I recently planted in the garden, and breakfasted on two fresh homemade blueberry muffins and some tea before doing errands. I did crash for a 3-hour nap afterwards but, whew… man. A 24-hour day that’s somehow been 72 hours long.

I am thankful... that I have loving parents who bless me. I appreciate their financial help without which I’d already have had to default on my mortgage loan due to this lengthy period of unemployment.

In the kitchen... For lunch (and dinner) I made Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta al Forno to use up the mozzarella cheese I had on hand. It wasn’t amazing, but it was filling and substantial food which was satisfying enough.

I am wearing... the same pajamas I had on last night, but I DID get dressed today—khaki Dockers and a yellow, tan, and khaki print knit shirt. I even put on gold earrings. So there. I do own real clothes. ;-)

I am creating... an enjoyable Saturday evening. I purposely set aside other pursuits in order to have time to read.

I am going... Actually, I already went. I headed to the library, the pharmacy, my parents’ house, and the bank. I also stopped by the Dollar Tree just to browse. I only bought black ink pens which I need for the substitute teaching paperwork and some gift wrap for my dad’s upcoming birthday. $2.12—not bad. If I actually sleep (or if I at least rest tonight so that I’m not utterly wrecked), I’d like to get to church tomorrow morning. More errands coming up on Monday.

I am wondering... what I can come up with to celebrate my dad’s birthday.

I am reading... Carved in Bone. This time, the library did have it in stock just as the catalog promised. So far, I like it better than Jeffrey Deaver’s Lincoln Rhyme series though both deal with forensics. Bass’s writing flows. The story is set in and around Knoxville, Tennessee, and the main character, a professor, uses words such as “reckon” in addition to more scholarly vocabulary. I declare, he makes me feel right at home with those Southern phrases!

I am hoping... to sleep tonight—an oft repeated wish.

I am looking forward to... reading more of my book. My preference is to read an entire book in a single sitting, but it’s really not practical; my muscles stiffen, my eyes tire, I stay up too late, and important tasks are left unfinished. I really am trying to show some restraint—really.

I am hearing... blessed quiet—only the a/c at work and the ticking of a clock. I live near a speedway, but thankfully they’ve wrapped up a bit earlier than sometimes. There is a noise ordinance in place so the races are supposed to cease at 11pm. However, in the past, they have not been good neighbors, always pushing up to and past the deadline. The events last for hours so by the end of a race day, I am usually ready to pull some hair out—preferably theirs! Not really, but it does get wearying. I am appreciative of the greater respect that they seem to be showing this season.

Around the house... I haven’t emptied or reloaded the dishwasher or done any laundry today. I ran out of steam and opted to rest—my nap wasn’t enough to energize me. A break is well and fine, but I need to stay on top of things so that work doesn’t pile up and overwhelm me.

I am pondering... who might be calling me at nearly midnight. A wrong number? I elected not to answer since it didn’t seem to be someone I know.

One of my favorite things... toddlers and preschoolers. An out-of-state friend posted pictures on Facebook of her three-year-old daughter performing a song with her VBS class on stage at their church. Funny and sweet but it makes me miss that precious girl!

A few plans for the rest of the week: fingerprints, TB test, and I really need to get my hair trimmed. I can’t recall when I last had it cut, but the ends are splitting and it needs to be neatened up. I usually go to Fantastic Sam’s or some other inexpensive walk-in place—it’s just a trim, not rocket science. But I always put it off because I hate waiting and twiddling my thumbs in the salon. It’s got to be done though so I need to just get it over with. School has resumed in our area, so maybe the wait will be short…

Butternut Squash Blossom in My Garden

This journal entry is part of The Simple Woman's Daybook project.

The Struggle to Stay Awake

Outside my window... Once again the blinds are closed since the sun has gone down. Eastern cottontails and song birds (especially robins) frequent my yard, but today my attention was directed indoors.

I am thinking... that it has been an uneventful day.


I am thankful... for meals that are quickly & easily prepared. I ate blueberry-hazelnut oatmeal (my impromptu variation of Quinoa Porridge with Blueberries and Pecans) this morning (3 minutes in a very large bowl in the microwave using old-fashioned oats) & a sardine sandwich and an apple for dinner. Despite their reputation, sardines really do taste good! No lunch-- a handful of Ghiradelli bittersweet chocolate chips instead. Bad decision, I know, but I was too tired to care.

In the kitchen... Despite last night's grand plans, the kitchen is in roughly the same condition as yesterday. The trash is a little fuller and will be rather aromatic by tomorrow morning thanks to the empty sardine can.

I am wearing... the same pajamas I wore last night. In fact, I wore them all day. Too little sleep triggered a headache and difficulty keeping my eyes open. I spent most of the day sitting in my recliner in my knitting room with my DVD player and laptop going. I did launder a load of towels.

I am creating... a mansion, composed of Pinterest photos. When I was a teenager I thought would grow up to be wealthy. Now I know better! I've been recording my likes and preferences for design and decor in images with captions as if the collection would actually matter. My mansion has a conservatory and lush, well-tended gardens and grounds (porch, fire pit, fountain, a tunnel of wisteria-covered arches, etc.). The kitchen has a separate pantry stocked with the additional cooking and baking ingredients I need. Everything is beautiful, including the laundry room-- and magically clean! Such are my fantasies. ;-)

I am going... to bed soon, and I'm very happy about that!!!

I am wondering... when I'll get around to watching Under the Tuscan Sun, my current Netflix DVD. I'm usually very prompt about watching so that I'll have the opportunity to mail the disc back and receive the next item in my queue.I am reading... nothing still. If I'd had the energy, I could have stopped by the library; it's only a couple minutes drive from my house.


I am hoping... to feel better tomorrow after a good night's sleep.


I am looking forward to... getting some tasks crossed off my to do list. I hate when the unfinished hangs over my head.


I am hearing... insects' bodies clicking against the window. The moths are drawn to the indoor light even with the blinds closed. Sometimes I sing a fragment of song to them, "You keep on knockin' but you can't come in..." I am also half-watching The Guns of Navarone as I type. I love Gregory Peck and Anthony Quinn. Actually, David Niven is great too. (As actors-- I don't know anything about their personal lives.)


Around the house... all is about the same as yesterday since I did little.I am pondering... which pictures to share today.


One of my favorite things... is waking up refreshed though it doesn't happen nearly as often as I'd like.


A few plans for the rest of the week: chores and errands and paperwork... but I will try to get to the library shortly. I'd like to pick up Carved in Bone by Jefferson Bass. It's the first in the Body Farm series. I've never read any of the author's works and might not like them, but I'd like to find out. The trouble is that the library's catalog says there's a copy though in person, there isn't. I should opt for Interlibrary Loan to avoid the expense of purchasing. That's what I'll do-- good idea! ;-)

This journal entry is part of The Simple Woman's Daybook project.

What to Say?

I feel the need to write this morning, but I don't have a lot to say! I haven't been feeling well for the past few days and have limited my activities accordingly.

I did start reading P.D. James' The Private Patient and am enjoying it so far. It's an Adam Dalgliesh mystery. I've never read anything else by the author until now. (Summary: After thirty-four years, a newspaper journalist elects to have a disfiguring facial scar removed at a private surgical clinic for the wealthy housed in a Tudor-style home in Dorset, England, and is murdered while recuperating. Adam Dalgliesh's team is called in to solve the crime.)

While I was in school for my Master's or dealing with books all day at the library, I preferred fast reads over slower, better developed works such as this (even if the quality wasn't great)-- the books were just a break from routine, a needed escape.

I don't read fiction that often these days; I prefer nonfiction books that give me information and ideas for my personal projects such as gardening or cooking or knitting.

I am waiting on the new P.J. Tracy mystery though-- I requested it from the library but didn't get my name on the list early enough so must wait for a turn. The "author" is actually a mother-daughter writing team. The books are set in Minnesota and feature a quirky cast of characters who work with the police to solve unusual crimes. My favorite was the most recent where victims were hid as snowmen. I can recall the cover but can't remember the title-- maybe Snowblind? Anyway, I like and am looking forward to the newest-- I think the back history of Grace, one of the main characters, will be unfolded a bit. It should be interesting.

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Inventory & Labels

Yesterday between head pain and a nap, I downloaded a couple of new iPod apps and began listing the books and movies I own and using a label maker to print Dewey Decimal labels for the book spines. I also photographed covers of some that were too old or obscure to have photos available on the Internet. 


I have a large cookbook collection (77 volumes listed, and that's just the beginning). Consequently, Dewey is the simplest way for me to arrange them.


As a former librarian, I am familiar and comfortable with Dewey and can find what I need quickly that way. If I were to organize my books by size, color, content, or any other scheme, I'd be forever rearranging them. Dewey has a logical order built in, so I can label the books once and be done with arranging despite expanding and editing my collection over time.


My other collections are small in comparison-- only 8 knitting books and 6 gardening books for instance. But my cookbooks could take over the house unless I corral them. The floor in my knitting room is already less crowded now that I've done some shelving. Once I have the books together, I may also elect to prune some (ones I don't refer to often), but first I need an overall view of the breadth of coverage, and that means getting my books off the floor and off my treadmill and onto the shelves.


This is a part of my uncluttering plan, although I wasn't planning to tackle it until later. But the task was something I could begin while sitting down and resting in between activity bursts. That way at least I didn't lose the whole day to feeling poorly.

God's Love

I was reading from the book of Revelation tonight-- particularly the worship scene in heaven when the Lamb is found worthy to take and open the sealed scroll. I can't pretend I understand half of what follows. I don't think most Christians understand-- even if they tell themselves and others that they do.

I do know that God's love for His people is clear, and that is my security. That's where there's rest. And so, I am motivated to sing...

Animal-Proofing

Yesterday I did some errands then selected a book to read while eating my lunch; the next thing I knew, it was dinner time! (It was a nonfiction health book, not particularly suspenseful; sometimes I overfocus.)

I took a lovely dusk walk to stretch out the kinks. Someone was barbecuing, and the smell of the sauce was torturously wonderful. Maybe my mom will make some BBQ chicken for us soon. (I can make it, but I think it tastes better when she does it.)

Anyway, my gardening time was a short period just before sunset. All I had the opportunity to do was to cut and secure some bird netting over each bed with the corner stakes assisting; however, I don't think it's going to be effective at animal-proofing. In fact, I may have given the cats a comfy hammock to curl up in.

I woke this morning at 4:30am, scheming about other possibilities: What if I...? Maybe I could try...? Would it work if...? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of using...? Since my brain was definitely awake, I got out of bed shortly after 5am.

It's going to be a rainy day, so I can scheme to my heart's content, but in all likelihood I won't be able to try out any plans today. That's okay though. I need to wash dishes. ;-)

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Catch-Up Account

I need to wash dishes, shower, and do some errands, but I've had insufficient sleep for 3 nights running; all I really want to do is crash.

The TMD specialist I saw yesterday sent me home with the equivalent of a fat book's health reading and an appointment for next week to adjust my bite guard. I read some of the info last night, and already discovered a few new facts.

I also stopped by a branch of the Louisville public library. I borrowed some great books: Deerproofing Your Yard and Garden, Getting Started Knitting Socks by Ann Budd, and a DK sushi book that's downright amazing! Coincidentally, Ree Drummond (who's blog I follow) has posted an account of a sushi night she hosted (which I just discovered this morning). I decline to eat raw seafood, but I think sushi-making is in my future-- a wonderful intersection of art and cooking and eating!

When I got home, the garden supplies I had ordered the previous day were waiting on my front porch. I was astonished and thrilled-- now that's service! I sent an email to Gardens Alive to thank and compliment them.

I did end up with a bad on-and-off tension headache for which I took Tylenol. I also took 2 whole sleeping pills instead of 1.5 as usual but still awoke a couple of hours early-- with a bad tension headache. I took Midrin, and thankfully that seems to have given the headache a kick in the rear. Now if I could just summon some energy.

I did call the unemployment office to get information about financial assistance for medication. I'll have to go to the appropriate office and apply as soon as possible. $165 for a 1-month supply of one medication (no generic available)-- yikes!

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A Busy Morning

This morning I did order two more types of compost over the Internet. Lucky me, it only cost what I would have paid in a store because I had a $25 coupon that took care of the shipping. Those supplies will arrive in two weeks or so. Now I need vermiculite.

I did a load of dishes then a little cooking/baking. A Facebook friend posted a recipe for Bacon, Cheese & Egg Biscuit Cups. I didn't have sufficient bacon, so I substituted breakfast sausage. They taste good, but since I did it ALL from scratch-- even shredding the cheese-- it was a time-consuming recipe to make. By the end, I was ready to toss 'em in the oven come what may. Of course, this may have had something to do with being awake since o'dark-thirty!

I ended up having to sleep a few hours, doctor's orders not withstanding. I was so tired and so painfully keyed up at the same time.

It's funny, I've got my night stash and my plan to sit quietly in the dark if I awake in the middle of the night. But when I woke up at 3:45am, the plan didn't even occur to me. I flipped on the light switch, ambitions and schemes racing through my head, and started singing. I was revved. I wonder if the author of Restful Insomnia has any ideas for that scenario. I still haven't finished the book; I've been reading my way through it incrementally.

Image source (edited): 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-eobVPdeATMlp6JLaCKar8kgMKY9JX2ldUUgCsowbu9mhbkBzTpXiV-dtmJKoOGaiI82cd51ovEDzTwvB2r7HI2Ro21D8ATfNu_JoiMnnNEcIMrzVkTPn-5KICffiF8AKAkgYmKcFBA/s1600-h/P2153559.JPG

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Raised Bed Shopping

I've been awake since 3:45am, so I thought I might as well record what I did yesterday: I used most of my Lowe's Christmas gift card to buy the supplies for the raised beds I intend to build (according to the directions in The All-New Square Foot Gardening book).

I now have landscaping fabric and cut lumber in the trunk of my car, 3.9 cubic feet of compressed peat moss plus bagged compost by my garbage cans, a tarp and deck screws in my laundry room with my drill, etc. (A garage or a garden shed would be lovely, but right now I have to make do where storage is concerned.)

I'm so excited about seeing my visions of backyard produce become reality that I'd like to use today's cold but dry weather to put the frames together.

However, I suppose it makes more sense to gather some remaining supplies first, such as vermiculite and additional bagged compost-- I've only purchased one type so far, but Mel Bartholomew advocates using five kinds to ensure better plant health. That seems wise to me.

I think I will have to do a little shopping online to get what I want. I have a few local places to check too, but I want to be ready to plant some cold weather crops shortly. If I do order online, I'll have to wait for the items to be shipped so I don't want to delay too long.

Incidentally, the men at the local Lowe's were kind and helpful, rounding up the supplies on my shopping list for me (since I'm clueless about identifications and locations in their vast store).

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Recipe & Tonight's Plans

My mom sent my dad over to my place with some leftovers-- beef roast in gravy with mashed potatoes on the side. I love gravy, but seldom make it.

She sent 3 meal-sized portions at least! So I ate one helping for dinner as is, but the next day I morphed a portion into Shepherd's Pie for lunch (Leann Ely's recipe from Saving Dinner for the Holidays). Yum! I definitely want to remember that strategy-- sauté some chopped onion and carrot, add the beef and gravy, seasoning with crushed rosemary, garlic powder, and pepper. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and top with the mashed potatoes. Bake until warm. Delicious!

As for today, I'm going to apply for more jobs, sending out my resume repeatedly. (And also eat that last portion of beef and gravy for dinner.)

Then tonight, my parents and I are going to see my brother's art displayed in his church's gallery. We won't stay long-- my parents have B&B guests-- but of course we have to be there; my brother has talked of nothing else for weeks! ;-)

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Mostly Chores But...

I did some baking today-- which I can't afford to do often if I want to reach my weight loss goals; I have to restrict myself to cooking instead. But today the kitchen was clean, and I had "no-sugar-added" apple butter on hand; it was the perfect time to try Mini Whole Wheat Apple Muffins with Cinnamon Glaze from The Perfect Recipe for Losing Weight & Eating Great by Pam Anderson. The author brags that you'd never know the muffins were made with whole wheat flour, and that little sugar is needed for the muffin batter because of the glaze.

Well, the muffins aren't bad, but I think the texture is a dead giveaway that they're whole grain-- they're a little too soft somehow-- not al dente to appropriate pasta terminology. And, the sugar may be minimal but the fat is not-- about 5g per mini muffin! It's always a trade off between sugar and fat when it comes to baking. The recipe does call for oil rather than butter, so at least the fat is not the saturated variety. And whole wheat flour means a little more fiber and some trace nutrients that white flour lacks.

I only made enough glaze for 3 muffins, because I planned to freeze the rest. Good thing, too, because I don't care for the glaze; it's just powdered sugar plus milk-- with a bit of cinnamon and a drop of lemon juice for flavor (but it still tastes strictly like powdered sugar-- kind of chemical). I think the glaze was a futile attempt to convert something wholesome into something decadent; better to just enjoy the muffins for what they are-- warm and cinnamon-y and 100 calories each (with or without glaze).

I am proud of myself for only eating the three I had planned to consume. As soon as they were cool, I packaged 2 per baggie and whisked them into the freezer. With a piece of fruit, they will be a nice afternoon snack/small meal to tide me over until dinner time. Or, one muffin plus a cup of yogurt will be a satisfactory light breakfast until my mid-morning fruit snack. It's always helpful to have goodies in the freezer-- "Frozen Assets" according to one cookbook title.

Baking is also a pleasant way to spend a day of snow flurries-- domestic and cozy to counter the cold.

More Health Books

A family friend recently went on a gluten-free diet and found that she feels MUCH better. I certainly couldn't have deduced that answer for her, but since she's identified the treatment, all her symptoms suddenly make sense.

Even before I heard her news, I had begun to wonder if a food intolerance might explain my allergies. It seems so odd to me that symptoms are flaring in winter when I'm mostly indoors-- I mean, all of a sudden I'm allergic to dust??? Mold in this brand new house??? Weird.

I know allergies can develop at any time of life, but it still seems bizarre. And I did just change my diet in an attempt to lose weight. Maybe I'm unknowingly eating more of an unidentified allergen and aggravating my system.

Today I checked out The G-Free Diet and Allergy-Free Cookbook. I am considering some changes. I wonder about gluten, but dairy products and/or nuts could also be culprits.

Last night I read...

About half of A Brain Wider Than the Sky: A Migraine Diary by Andrew Levy. On the whole, I am a concrete person whereas he is abstract and loves academics, metaphysics, philosophy. Also, he has migraines with aura, but I do not. There were still some passages of his book that rang true for me and that touched me. A few quotes:

"it was an instinct: keep away from people unless I could act like one of them" p. 67

How I believe my former boss perceived my migraines: "It seizes her when she likes, where she likes, for as long as she likes." p. 68

"Then migraine, like any chronic disease, is a real declaration. And, as the migraineur, I am the one who declares war. I am the agressor, even as I am the victim." p. 68

"Talcott Parsons wrote, there is a social contract between a sick person and a sick person's audience...The sick person should be regarded as the victim of forces beyond his control. In exchange for this grace, however, which includes exemption from ordinary daily obligations and expectations, the sick person has to acknowledge that being sick is undesirable and that measures should be taken to maximize the chance to facilitate recovery." p. 76

To me, he pinpoints the negotiations and politics of it all-- and how easily relationships can go awry if either party isn't fully committed to making things work.

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Building a Night Stash

I'm gathering things I will need if I can't fall asleep or if I wake in the middle of the night-- the goal is to have whatever is required close at hand so I can overcome sleep disrupters, relieve discomforts, and occupy myself quietly, getting some rest even if I am unable to sleep. The idea comes from the book Restful Insomnia which I wrote about in a previous post.

So far my kit consists of a bottle of water, antihistamines, prescription migraine reliever, an eye mask and earplugs (both freebies which may be irritating rather than soothing-- haven't tried them yet) stored in an excessively large Pyrex bowl (that I seldom use) under my bed.

My iPod will be by the rocker-recliner in the living room, plugged in and charging. I will set the brightness level at the lowest setting before bedtime. The iPod has reading material (Kindle samples I've downloaded, free e-book classics, the Bible), pictures to look at (Flickr, Picasa), offers opportunity to jot notes, and has soothing white noise programs (ocean waves, falling rain). My robe, socks, and slippers are stored right by my bed so I can easily put them on before grabbing my bowl and heading to my chair.

Other items I need to add to my stash:

• OTC pain relievers
• Pen and paper
• Dim nightlight

I'm sure I'll think of more things to include in time.

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Parsley Contest

I planted curled and Italian parsley seeds indoors today. In Mel Bartholomew's All New Square Foot Gardening, he suggests that it is best to soak the seeds overnight prior to planting since parsley is slow to germinate. I'm not sure I see much difference between soaking the seeds and just watering them thoroughly after they are planted. So, I'm going to conduct a little experiment. Today I planted the dry seeds and tomorrow I'll plant some that have been soaked. We'll see which sprout first (allowing for the single day's difference, of course).

Image source:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferrous/1518939776/

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Guess what I had for dinner?

I feel like Julia Child! Of course, it took 3 separate cookbooks to inspire me. I made a blender hollandaise sauce (Joy of Cooking) with lime juice (Recipe 1-2-3 Menu Cookbook) and a dash of Tabasco (Joy of Cooking again). Then I poached an egg in the microwave (Perfect Recipe for Losing Weight...). Really, I don't know why a single person would poach an egg on the stovetop-- this was cinchy and the egg looked just like photos I've seen in cookbooks-- the method was superbly successful. I'd never eaten a poached egg before, but this won't be my last. The hollandaise is ideal with it. Delish! I'll make it as often as my waistline can afford the butter. ;-)

Image source:

farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3761014316_61dd9...

I like the steamed asparagus idea, but I didn't think of that-- I even happen to have some in the frige; I'll go roast some asparagus and a potato to round out my dinner.

Incidentally, I don't know why, but these recipes came together in my head sometime last night when I couldn't get to sleep. Sometimes there IS an "up" side to insomnia. ;-)

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Mushroom-Flavored Creamy Pasta with Ham and Rosemary

I made a pasta sauce from a cookbook I received at Christmas entitled The Perfect Recipe for Losing Weight & Eating Great. (The book was my request-- no one was trying to give me a subtle hint about my weight.) ;-)

I think the recipe is indeed "perfect" for a wintry day-- hearty flavor but not too hefty on the calories.

It's basically a bechamel/veloute sauce made with half milk and half chicken broth thickened with a roux. The mushroom flavor comes from dried wild mushrooms which are reconstituted in the liquids in the microwave previously (then chopped and added to the thickened sauce). I didn't have fresh rosemary, so I heated the dried herb in the liquids too to get the most flavor out of it. In addition to the chopped ham, drained canned tomatoes give a brighter, warm flavor to the sauce, Parmesan cheese adds a luxuriously rich texture, and fresh parsley perks up the color. Served over whole-wheat angel hair pasta. Easy to make using pantry ingredients and quite tasty! I'm adding it to my repertoire.

Today's Breakfast

Yum! A lasso-- which I've also heard referred to as a lassi. Pakistani & Indian in origin. A smoothie made (in this case) of 1/2 a mango, 1 T. orange juice concentrate, 1/2 c. plain yogurt, 2 t. sugar, 1/4 t. ginger. Modified slightly from a beverage described in 1,000 Vegetarian Recipes by Carol Gelles. (No, I'm not a vegetarian, but I don't believe meat is necessary at every meal either.) The verdict? Exotic, fresh, and lovely.


Image source:http://www.flickr.com/photos/purplelily_5706/2420587881/
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Ahhh, at Last...

...a good night's sleep! I could have slept for hours more, but I'm not supposed to; if I do, my doctor assures me I won't be able to sleep when night comes again. I don't like it, but I've seen that he's right. So, I'll be a good girl and obey. ;-)

Incidentally, that book Restful Insomnia is great-- I can really relate to the author's experiences. I don't know how the book came to the library's attention, but I'm grateful it's part of the collection. Which reminds me, I need to renew it today!

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