Black Bean Chili with Tortilla Chips, Avocado, Oaxaca Cheese and Lime with Modelo Negro, Citrus Plate and almost 2’ of Snow

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

ITS STILL SNOWING...  on my goodness...  we have had just under two feet of snow...  four foot drifts in the backyard...  a snow wall in the driveway...  we have shoveled...  and shoveled and shoveled again...   running out of places to put the snow...   aaaaand...  another storm is on the way for Sunday into Monday...  again!  We’ll be buried alive 😂 

Coffee ☕️ meeting gave a thumbs up to chili for supper...  breakfast?  Leftover arroz con pollo...  it was good too.  Decided to make the dough for English muffins today...  it’s resting in the kitchen...  tomorrow will be English muffins and coffee for breakfast...  really looking forward to that...   been itching to try it for weeks...  snow muffins 🤣

DIL’s Dad is stable thus far...  still in hospital...  she and her Mom were able to talk to him today...  he sounded more like himself...  keep those good thoughts coming folks...  we need every one we can get ❤️

Supper tonite...   black bean chili with ground turkey and tomato...  served with homemade tortilla chips crisped up in the oven... olive oil salt and pepper...  Oaxaca cheese...  lime and avocado...  accompanied by a Modelo Negro and citrus plate for dessert.  What a difference... considering not buying bagged chips again!  These were sooo much better and almost zero effort 😋

Covid variants are spreading across the US...  more contagious and more virulent...  get your vaccine as soon as you are eligible...  in the meantime you know what to do...   double mask up...  quick market trip to get necessities...  limit interactions...  throw snowballs from the sidewalk...  and wash those germy hands 💕😷

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

Whole Wheat Rolls and White Bean and Sausage Soup with Kasha

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

Winter storm coming...  estimates ranging 6” to 18” in the tri state area...   from Mom’s to home flakes flying...  streets salted...  hunkered down waiting for the winds...  so far less than 1”...  tomorrow heavy snow all day.

Our family member, DIL’s Dad, received covid treatment this morning...  now admitted to the hospital...  with storm on tap...  precaution needed...  fingers crossed that he recovers quickly...  all prayers welcomed and appreciated 💕😷

Leftover winter white bean and sausage soup with kasha from last nights steak dinner stirred in...  warming...  comforting...  just what we needed...  remaining whole wheat dough made for delightful fresh rolls to accompany the soup.  A glass of Line 39 Cabernet Sauvignon to calm the nerves and soothe the spirit.

Double mask up people...  this is serious business...  limit time at the market...  personal interactions...  and wash those germy hands 💕😷

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

NYStrip Steak with Kasha a Green Salad and a Poached Pear

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

Ccccold day here in the Frozen Apple...  high temp (can we call 30°F high?) was 30°F...  low tonite down in the teens 🥶 feeling very Arctic out there in the netherworld...  no animals or even birds today...  deep winter has arrived in all its frigid glory.  

Coffee meeting cut short today with calls from family...  nurse came to give IV fluids prior to covid treatment tomorrow...  hopeful easier times ahead... a call from Mom...  shower head broke...  luckily post shower...  Happen to have one available to install tomorrow...  from our bathroom remodel...  lucky break.  

Visited the market today...  as usual waited till dinner hour...  relatively empty....  picked up supplies for Mom and some fill ins for us...  quick trip to the wine store (got to get what’s really important!) making sure we are set for at least six days...  gives sanitation time to plow...  big snow accumulator coming...  beginning Sunday night into Wednesday...  expecting up to 10”.

Strip steaks on sale today...  instant dinner!  Made a favorite grain to go with...  kasha...  a crisp green salad with sun dried tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions...   picked up a discount bag of mixed citrus with one lonely pear amongst...  poached it for the hubs...  apparently it was delicious.  Tried a Cabernet Sauvignon from Line 39 with supper...  delicious...  loved their Sauvignon Blanc too.  

Covid has reached our extended family...  seeing the impact of the virus close up is chilling.  Please folks...  follow CDC and NIH recommendations...  double mask up...  limit time in the market...  limit social interactions...  and wash those germy hands 😷💕

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

Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls and Winter White Bean and Sausage Soup

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

Extreme cold accompanied by endless blue skies...  whipping winds...  house creaking and groaning...  window panes vibrating...  tree branches flailing their naked arms.  

Quick coffee ☕️ and oatmeal with craisins before taking the hubs to physical therapy...  too cold to run errands...  returned home to chores and plant care before pick up time...  hubs had an excellent work out... lots of stretching and muscle building...  a bit sore...  but pleased.  Had tea and discussions for supper...  the deep cold veered us hard into stew and soup territory.

Made whole wheat dough last Saturday...  spent six days fermenting in the fridge...  tonite part became whole wheat dinner rolls to accompany our Winter White Bean and Sausage Soup.  This was the first try with whole wheat flour...  pleased with the results...  nutty...  a bit of tang... made for a lovely somewhat firmer dinner roll...  perfect for sopping up hot soup 🍜 

Covid still keeping part of our family in its tight little grip...  both husband and wife exhausted but seeming to inch closer to recovering each day...  pins and needles...  while we wait.  A tough road to travel.

Different strains of the virus giving the US more virulent challenges...  you know what to do...  double mask up...  limit interpersonal interactions...  short trips to the market... and wash those germy hands 💕😷

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

Julia’s Brownies

 Got the best surprise in the mail today!!   BROWNIES from the amazing kitchen of Julia Nusbaum...  they are scrumptious and arrived in purrfect condition...  can’t thank you enough sweet Julia ❤️❤️❤️

Roasted Salmon with Mayo on Toasts with Capers... Spicy Chicken Legs, Stuffed Meat Roll, Glazed Plantains and Crispy Salad

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

Cloudless skies...  deep blue horizons...  a price to match...  frigid cold...  blustery winds...  in the office...  sun beaming through windows...  warm and snug while cold winds rattle the panes...  a V formation of geese flying high overhead...  heading south to warmer climes...  few pigeons and sparrows on the overpass...  seeds thrown by a neighbor.  Deep winter has arrived...  tonight’s low 18°F...  time for hibernation and warm blankets.

Coffee meeting today...  leftover night...  cleaning out the fridge...  sides to be decided upon last minute.  The hubs retiring to his workshop...  adding a missing facia board to the desk...  measuring...  cutting...  sanding...  eventually followed by staining and waxing.   The project proceeding nicely...  hubs able to stand today braced for almost two hours...  followed by elevation and rest...  healing moving forward.

Contactless drop off of cream puffs last night to Mark and Andrea...  a little something sweet to lift the spirits ❤️

Lunch...  leftover roasted salmon mixed with mayonnaise...  spread on toasts... topped with capers...  the olde bay seasoning coming through nicely.  

Supper a melange of pieces from past dinners...  spicy chicken legs...  sweet glazed plantains...  stuffed meat roll...  a crisp garden salad with Caesar dressing and the last few greenhouse tomatoes...  accompanied by our favorite Sauvignon Blanc.  Incredibly delicious NYTimes Brownies received in the mail today from Julia Nusbaum...  made for a decadent and chocolatey dessert...  a sweet treat from a sweet friend ❤️

Family infected with covid still fighting the virus at home...  some small improvements today...  oxygen levels somewhat better...  less exhaustion...  keep those positive thoughts coming folks...  they help ❤️

The South African variant of covid has arrived in the US...  more virulent and significantly more contagious...  CDC and NIH advising to wear 2 masks... surgical underneath a two layer cloth mask...  limit time in grocery stores...   be more vigilant about cleanliness...  you know what to do...  mask up...  limit social interactions...  and wash those germy hands 💕😷

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

Meat Roll Stuffed with Ricotta with Mashed Yams and Summer Squash Pizza

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

Sun beckoning with promises of warmth...  stepping outside for mail bringing reality into sharp focus...  a chill wind blowing through thin pants and sweater...  hustling back inside...  indoors a warm blanket.  

Another morning of coffee and oats...  advance planning for tonites supper...  time for a meat and potatoes meal...  meat roll wins the day.  The hubs in his shop...  couple of hours working on his project... refinishing a desk...  braced leg performing well...  Mr Sam supervising.

Between appointments...  taking time to deep clean our bedroom...  freshening up the space...  going through drawers...  more decluttering on the horizon.

Supper tonite...  ugly but delicious meat roll ...  tried a new twist...  stuffed the meat roll with ricotta cheese...  incredibly moist...  top of the roll split open...  cascade of whey erupting...  flowing onto the sheet pan...  taking much of the cheese with it.   The roll tasted so wonderful...  so awful looking...  we both laughed...  ate the ugliest parts first...  the better looking half left for another meal.  Served along side... mashed yams...  summer squash pizza...  Sauvignon Blanc to accompany our meal.  The last of the cream puffs and tea for the hubs.  A few empty shells frozen for future applications. 

Vaccines still hard to come by...  the new variants of covid spreading faster than ever.  Family still battling the virus at home...  nights are the worst 😢...  the sweats...  chills...  dizzyness...  teeny progress forward today...  hoping.  Don’t become a statistic...  double mask...  limit time at the market...  and wash those germy hands 😷💕

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