Spinach Onion Gouda Quiche, Homemade Flagels, Garden Salad and Mark’s Birthday Cake

 Quarantine activities of the day...  Live from NYC...

ITS FINALLY OVER!   This election season seemed like the one that would never end...  so grateful to no longer have 2673 voice mails daily from unknown callers trying to convince me to vote for Yoshel Schlumper...  so glad to NOT see any more ads on TV announcing who is the bigger yutz...  so pleased to have an end to the PILES of mail begging for funds to elect ANYBODY... gaaah!  

Today we celebrated the fact that just over 32 years ago I gave birth to a terrific man...  clearly he wasn’t a man at the time...  he was a baby 👶 but has grown into a terrific guy...  and this mama is sooo proud!  Congratulations to ME!  Oh yes, and happy happy birthday Mark!  Love you lots 💙💙❤️❤️

Turkey Meatballs with Pepper, Onion & Tomato Sauce and Vanilla Shortbread Cookies... Greenhouse Fall Harvest

 Quarantine supper tonite...  live from NYC...

Another spectacular autumn day here in the Big Apple...  trees dressed in  glorious fall colors...  birds flying V formations overhead...   squirrels burying acorns...  leaving little holes everywhere...  the warmth of the sun bringing smiles behind masks as eyes crinkle up...  waving to neighbors...   tending to gardens...  fall clean up...  no jackets required.

So relaxing to get outside work in the greenhouse and forget about the election for a few hours.   Tomatoes still producing... albeit slower due to the shorter days and cooler temperatures...  dug up the yams today...  planted in a small pot on the deck...  just for fun...  couldn’t believe the harvest...  what a surprise!  Collards, sprouts and turnips still going strong...  nasturtiums looking beautiful as they trail up their dowels...  so calm and peaceful.

As darkness fell Mr Sam stayed on the deck a bit longer napping in his box while supper was prepared.   End of the week...  time to use up those veggies languishing in the fridge.  Yellow peppers, roma tomatoes, half a sweet onion, a random garlic clove, a dash of heat from Rotel tomatoes & jalapeños, a few limes juiced and some olive oil made for a delightful sauce over turkey meatballs.  Asian yams...  honey sweet with white flesh...  oven roasted with olive oil salt and pepper accompanied the dish.  On the side an avocado tomato salad with red onion and lime vinaigrette...  a fresh end to our dinner.  The hubs exclaiming...  It’s fall on a plate! 

Special thanks to Manuela Roth for the fabulous shortbread recipe that was the perfect end to supper...  the snap of the cookie and that heady vanilla aroma...  delicious!  

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

Spicy Italian Sausage, Glazed Plantains, Roasted Beets with Fried Rice and my NEW Dutch Oven

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

Sunshine and warmth...  so long since the sun gave the Big Apple a lovely day...  had to get outside and enjoy it...  no jacket...  that’s a big one...  just shirt sleeves and a mask (with pants and shoes of course 😂)  It’s the height of autumn colors in NYC this first week in November...  the trees sporting golds... reds...  oranges with touches of green still visible between.   Like an artists palette...  looking down the street from end to end the vibrancy of color...  spectacular...  takes the breath away.   

Got a present today from sis-in-law and her hubs...  6 quart cast iron enameled Dutch oven...  been wanting one for eons...  Artisinal Supply at Bed Bath & Beyond (their house brand) on sale for 50% off...  so thrilled...  got it in red!!  Delivery within a week...  YAY!!  Going to break it in immediately and keep it on the cooktop so I can stare at it lovingly everyday ❤️

Supper tonite was a melange of sweet and spicy...  roasted plantains glazed in orange marmalade...  roasted fresh beets...  spicy Italian sausage and leftover rice from our Japanese hibachi dinner...  washed down with Malbec for the hubs...  Prosecco for me 🍾

The counting continues...  tensions high...  who will be the victor?  

Opinion?   Covid will be the victor as more than 100,000 Americans became infected just today.  Regardless of who wins the White House there is a pandemic to contend with that must be addressed and defeated...  please...  wear a mask...  limit personal interactions...  and wash those germy hands!

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

Happy 10th Anniversary... Steak and Shrimp Hibachi & Steak and Chicken Hibachi Dinners & Prosecco

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

Happy 10th Anniversary to us!!   Took a break from cooking tonite...  ordered from our favorite Japanese Restaurant...  the hubs...  steak and chicken hibachi dinner...  brown rice, miso soup, salad... perfectly stir fried veggies...  not feeling foul (pun intended) just yet...  steak and shrimp... fried rice...   such a pleasure to enjoy a delicious supper and help out a local business struggling during the pandemic.  Prosecco compliments of our dear friends Danicha & Eduardo... delicious!  

Spent time today trying to relax amidst the chaos and confusion the election has become...  a craft project...  just what the doctor ordered (oh yeah... I’m the doctor 😅😂🤣)  requiring full attention...  an Anniversary card for the hubs...  terrific distraction...   followed by paying bills...  not the best distraction...  but effective.

Now comes the hard part...  waiting...  watching...  nervously anticipating...  the votes will be tallied and we will discover the name of the new administration soon enough.  

In the interim...  it is vital that we citizens begin to view one another with humanity rather than through the eyes of partisan politics.  We must all learn to disagree WITHOUT being disagreeable.  WE are in charge of our own happiness...  we can CHOOSE to be at peace within ourselves regardless of whatever is happening around us...  we can BE supportive of our own values and reflect those values in our behavior and speech.   We can CHOOSE to be the change we wish to see ❤️❤️❤️

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

Election Night Chili and Newcastle Ale... a very relaxed Mr Sam

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

Sunny...  windy...  cold with clear bright blue skies today in the Big Apple.  We await the coming warm up expected to push temperatures near 70°F by weeks end...  excited to be able to visit with family out on the deck for a BBQ and fire after several weeks of weather too cold for socializing.  

Supper tonite...  chili...  warm...  spicy...  ground turkey...  onion & garlic... dark red kidney beans...  chopped tomato with green chilis and most importantly a beer...  the yeast from the beer bringing complex flavors as the chili simmers.  A Newcastle Ale complimented the smokiness and heat of the chili.

Tensions are high tonite as voters watch election results...  cities are ready for protests and counter protests as the tally climbs...  hoping for a peaceful resolution of the vote.  Mr Sam very relaxed...  wish I felt the same 😬

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

Beefy Lentil Soup with Onions and Greek Yogurt and Flaky (not homemade) Biscuits

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

Did everyone remember to set the clocks back an hour?  How many of you were an hour early for appointments today?  Now that electronic devices set  time automatically, few of us experience the shock of showing up an hour early for Sunday appointments... or early for work on Monday.  Certainly many recall those days with humor.

Sunshine lit up the morning skies here in the Big Apple...  it was delightful...  all the way until 11am...  clouds gathered and by noon rain returned in full drench mode.  Visiting Mom today was a wet and chilly experience...  dashing from car to lobby with groceries in tow...  so grateful for the hubs assistance.  So tired of gray skies...  windswept rain...  drab days.

Leftovers on the menu tonite...  beefy lentil soup with onions and Greek yogurt accompanied by flaky biscuits (no, they are not homemade 😢 another mountain yet to be climbed) laden with whipped butter...  a lovely glass of Pinot Noir accented the warmth and comfort of the meal.  

Covid has gripped the nation by the throat...  states across the upper Midwest are seeing 45% rates of increasing infections.  Virtually every state has a rising covid rate...  over the weekend parties involving hundreds of maskless folks stopped by police here in NYC.  Please wear a mask (keeps the face warm in cold weather) limit personal interactions...  and wash those germy hands!  

Election Day...  Tuesday....  early voting ended in NYC today at 4pm...

it is a priviledge and an honor...  VOTE! 

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

Bombay Sapphire & Tonic with Lime, Rosemary Pork Chops with Yogurt and Beefy Lentil Soup

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

🦇 🎃 👻 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!   Celebrating tonite with XL Bombay & Tonic with lime...  🍸 hoping your treat isn’t a trick!  

The sun appeared today reminding the Big Cold Apple just how much we miss her...  greenhouse did well overnight...  temps dipped into the mid 30’s outside...  two lightbulbs kept it a balmy 43° for the veggies...  like being in the fridge...  today back near 60 for trick or treaters.  It was a quiet Halloween...  no groups of kids out with parents...  just neighbors and us doing yard work.  

Soup was on the menu tonite...  lentils with onions, garlic and homemade beef stock from a recent stew...   warming...  comforting...  with enough leftover for tomorrow’s supper.  Tried a new seasoning from Penzey’s today...  ground rosemary with pork chops...  such a pleasure to have that piney flavor without the long needles stabbing the gums...  so aromatic and fresh...  mixed the rosemary into yogurt...  a delicious add on to the chops.  

Tomorrow is the last day of early voting in NYC...  VOTE!!

Covid stats are climbing all over America...  get your flu shot...  wear that mask (keeps the face warm in the cold 😷) and wash those germy hands!

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