Baked Pasta Bolognese with Avocado Red Onion Tomato Salad and Mango Orange Blueberry Plate

 Quarantine supper tonite...   Live from NYC...

Gray day in the Big Apple...  mild temps...  folks walking in pairs...  masks on...  getting in that last bit of fresh air before the rains arrive tonite...  watched two squirrels chase one another up and down the tree outside the office windows...  ignorance is bliss...   completely unaware of any human difficulties...  Mr Sam chirping at them from his side of the window 😸

Continuing on with decluttering...  making space...   enjoying the process...   the supper discussion over coffee ☕️ deciding on baking the leftover pasta bolognese into a gooey cheesy casserole 🥘 accompaniments to be decided later.  Afternoon tea with the last pieces of apple tart...  a midday recap of earlier activities...  choosing sides for the menu.

Supper tonite...  baked pasta bolognese mixed with ricotta... shredded mozzarella on top...  sprinkled with black pepper...  350°F for about 25 minutes till bubbly...   tomato avocado and red onion salad with lime vinaigrette...  a refreshing break from the decadent pasta...  a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon accompanying the meal...  mango orange and blueberries for sweet citrusy dessert...  mandarin orange spice tea for the hubs. 

Our usual musical choice for dinner...  nighttime jazz...  overpowered by the thrumming of raindrops on the windows and roof as the storm arrived.  Mr Sam undeterred...  waiting patiently for his hors d’oeuvres...  little bites of supper...  followed by his own meal.  

Watching the news as this post is written...  the ‘green zone’ around the Capital and downtown DC...  military lining the streets...  covid infections sky rocketing...  vaccine distributions slow and irregular...  such stressful times.

It is imperative that we all practice self care...  unplug from the news as needed...  take time to soothe with enjoyable activities...  spend time chatting with friends via video or phone...  read novels...   take walks (weather permitting) create delicious meals...  seek help if overwhelmed...  limit outings...  create value with the time at home.  Stay safe and healthy...  the tunnel is long...  but there is light at the end...  and hope.

Mask up...  limit personal interactions...  and wash those germy hands 😷💕

How was your day?   What’s on your plate?   Thoughts?