What's cooking..?

I was a picky eater as a kid. My mom was a good, basic cook, with a fairly narrow repertoire. An average meal was some cut of meat, rice, potatoes or occasionally pasta, and a vegetable. So it was with a great deal of hesitation that I went to dinner at my high school beau's house when I was around 14. What if I didn't like what she cooked? What if she made something weird?

 We sat at their cozy family table, and I was introduced to something called Hungry Jack Casserole. A fragrant, bubbling mixture of ground beef, barbecue sauce, and baked beans, topped with biscuits and baked. It was amazing. I got her recipe, (she was a wonderful cook and my recipe file box boasts many of her specialties,) and I still make it from time to time.  It's an excellent fall meal, soul satisfying and filling. I've been thinking about it lately and decided to cook it last night for supper. Rachel and Evans joined us, and brought some of Evans signature super delicious fresh Cole slaw. It tasted like autumn and happy memories.

Then today Chris and I embarked on a wee adventure.  Though the foliage is past peak, the world is still burnished in gold and copper, and we had planned to take a little drive. Then a plan I had been working on in the background came together.

In the past I have brought a buck goat here in the fall to romance my lady goats. This has worked well, and I had a guy dubbed Jolly Roger all lined up for an early November visit. Then I got to thinking, that I really didn't want as many goat kids next year as we had this last spring (11!) and it occurred to me if I only bred the two little Saanen doelings, and not the rest, life would be much more simple. And then the universe, as it often does, opened a door. Last week we groomed a dog that belongs to a nice woman who sold me my second goat. She has been a wonderful mentor to me for 6 years or so, but has been traveling and I haven't seen her for a while. She mentioned that she had a friend who lives about an hour from here who might be willing to board my two doelings and breed them to one of his Saanen bucks. She gave me his number, I left a message, and he called last night, just as we were finishing supper. I tossed our plans for a scenic drive out the window. Sort of.

 The farm we were to go to is in Unity, Maine, a lovely spot. We loaded the girls up in dog crates stuffed with hay and we enjoyed the views as we rolled to give the goats a date with destiny.

 They were bewildered, but seemed to think their new beau was interesting. Most Saanen goats are white, this guy is a sable Saanen, with splashes of color, and quite handsome. He certainly thought the girls were enticing.

We drove away with empty crates, leaving the girls to stay a while. Hopefully they will soon be cookin' up some kids.

Meanwhile... last week one of our favorite customers turned friend was here. We groomed her three dogs and at some point she went in the house to use the rest room. She came back in and said, "We need to re-arrange some furniture." Little did she know that I ADORE re-arranging furniture. It's in my blood. Game on!  In 15 minutes we had changed the look and feel of the front room, which we call "the snuggery."

It has a much better flow this way, and makes me smile when I see it. 

One more thing. Six or so years ago I bought a new refrigerator when the one that came with the house packed in. I was frugal, and the one I bought was a mistake. Too small by far, and poorly made. The exterior paint was rusting, the inside bits all crumbling. I never have liked it, though I did appreciate it's service.  When the ice maker on this poor 'fridge died, I took it as an excuse to go shopping.  I upgraded in a BIG way. And by big, I mean, I bought a behemoth of a 'fridge. And I love it. 

The cooking and eating seasons are upon us. I'm going to be ready!

Anniversary Part 1...

It's been a year since we hosted the wedding of Rachel and Evans here at FairWinds.
Rachel and I had so much fun planning the event. For 6 months we kept a notebook next to the grooming table, and jotted down ideas, plans, "to do" lists, and more. Our customers were excited about the event and contributed in amazing, creative, heart-warming ways. Family pitched in to paint and set up and cook and clean up afterwards. The entire collaborative effort was an unfolding gift that left us all feeling so grateful, uplifted and loved. All the time, creativity, work and planning culminated in the union of a couple that share a deep and amazing love. It's enough to make a mama's eyes leak a little.

Once the wedding was over and the happy couple packed off on a tropical honeymoon, I had time to reflect a bit. And I thought that as much fun as the wedding was, the actual event was a bit of a blur. I didn't get to talk to all the people I wanted to talk to, didn't get to meet all of the bridal couples friends, didn't get to chat with Evans lovely family as much as I would have liked. I thought, "Next year we should have an anniversary pot luck and invite ALL the guests back and do it again, but more causally."  But I realized people wouldn't want to travel this far for a pot luck and I tucked the idea away. Until a few weeks ago, when Evans brought it up. "Aren't we having a pot luck?"  So we did. They invited a bunch of their friends, and we invited a few of ours, and 20 or so people came by last night, in the damp and chill, and filled the house what chatter and laughter.

Evans brought the enormous bottle of special beer his dad gave them as a wedding gift. They set it in a huge tub of ice and figured out a way to dispense it. I don't like beer, but tried a sip, and it was rather good!

Chris smoked a turkey and I whipped up a pan of macaroni and cheese before working all day. Our last grooming client left at 3:45 and guests began to arrive at 4:00. It was a bit of a whirlwind.

We dressed the poor dogs up to celebrate.

Flirt was overjoyed to have company, and went from lap to lap, soaking up as much love as she could manage.  

The food selection grew as each guest arrived. No one went hungry. 

We ordered a sheet cake from the woman who made the wedding cake last year, because it was not only pretty but absolutely delicious. The sheet cake was every bit as yummy... and those leaves, aren't they lovely? 

I put the camera down and just enjoyed talking to friends, sampling the tasty fare, and sipping a cup of warm, mulled, wine. The day had been damp and dreary, but before sunset the clouds cleared and the world lit up. Inside the wood stove kept things toasty. 

Mostly I was warmed to see people come out to celebrate the first year of a good marriage. What shall we get up to for next year? 

Sauce and kindness...

As the growing season comes to a close, I went to my favorite farm stand and bought 30 pounds or so of tomatoes. I also bought some garlic, peppers, hot peppers and onions.  Rachel came over and soon all those vegetables were tucked into the counter top roaster. They mounded up over the top, but soon cooked down so the lid fit nicely. They simmered away for hours.

Until they looked more like this.

We let this roasted mush cool for a long time, then introduced it, in small batches, to the blender. 

Next, we added salt, pepper, olive oil, oregano, sugar, basil and some tomato paste, and let the whole thing cook for hours. 

 Stirring gently from time to time.  The aroma of those fresh tomatoes and herbs simmering away was indescribably delicious.

, 

Now 12 quarts or so of delectable sauce are stored away for us to enjoy this winter. Lasagna, spaghetti, amazing soup... we can trot out our special sauce as needed to create memorable meals, redolent with the taste of summer. The memory of making it together will linger, too. A double win. 

While we were stirring, a package came in mail.  "Not from the U.S." Rachel said. I opened it with great anticipation. Inside a sweet letter from my cousin Karen.  The oldest daughter of my fathers older brother, she was smart and elegant, going off to join the Peace Corps in Africa with her brand new husband when I was just 6 years old. I remember they came to visit and brought us a board game as a parting gift. Monopoly, I think.  I've only seen her a handful of times since. They made their lives in Australia raised a family there. We share emails from time to time, and I am always grateful to hear from her. 

Inside the package was a wee, wonderful, handmade glass dish. A whimsical, happy horse painted in the bowl of it. 

My thoughtful cousin had sent it in memory of my beloved Chanel. And here something magical, the colors go perfectly with the hand drawn card and glass figure gifted to me by my friend Ilene. Now all three pieces are on my dresser, a little corner of happy horse memories.

Our pasture seems quite empty without Chanel in it. She brought a lot of presence to this place. It is sweet to remember the gifts she gave, and special that others recognized how dear she was to me.