Harvest
Whenever I talk about In Praise of Leftovers, people tell me my face lights up. I was talking to my friend/mentor Steve about it, and told him this seems to be a time of convergence in my life–things are coming together.
Another way of putting it might be that it’s harvest time. Driving past miles of cropland in Eastern Washington and harvesting my own little row of carrots reminded me that harvest is WORK, though. Yes, it’s nourishing, satisfying, beautiful, but things don’t uproot themselves out of ground. And then they need to be washed, sorted, displayed, or cooked. In the case of our carrots, Wyatt did absolutely all the work on one of the really hot days last week. He emerged sweaty, slightly sunburned (any other sunscreen-neglecting parents out there?) and very triumphant, holding a big bowl of knobby carrots and feathery tops.
Wyatt and I were talking about how small and irregular our carrots were (yes, past tense–we ate them in one sitting) because we planted them so close together and didn’t thin. I told Wyatt that sometimes I’m disappointed when things aren’t perfect–you won’t catch these carrots in a professional photo shoot. Wyatt looked up from his work and said, “Mom, nothing’s perfect.” Amen, Reverend Wyatt. From the mouths of babes.
And here’s a photo of the galette I made Lynn. Lynn won a galette in my Can-I-get-20-comments-by-the-end-of-the-day challenge a couple weeks ago. Cutzi, I haven’t forgotten about you. Wyatt and I also harvested a giant grocery bag of Swiss chard. I sauteed it up, caramelized some onions, and put it all in a crust topped with Comté cheese. True to her wonderful self, Lynn made a salad to go with it and had lunch for her coworkers at The Institute for Washington’s Future. This was another harvest–chard from my garden, made for a friend and reader, shared with people who are doing work I believe in.
And one more harvest. Yancey and I met for lunch downtown after his shift yesterday. We went to Macrina and shared a leisurely meal–talked about his first time administering CPR, the kids, what we want to do next in our lives (tinkering around on an old Volvo figures largely into Yancey’s plans). All the years Yancey was trying to get into the fire department, we would say things like, “On your day off, we can have lunch together!” It finally happened. Yancey had this beautiful cheese plate, I had some crostini with cherries and Manchego, and we toasted whatever is next.
Don’t worry about me. I know it will come at *just* the right time.
Isn’t it such a blessing being married to a firefighter? I love having my husband home during the day and getting to eat lunch together, as you mentioned, go on outings together, go to Costco together…. love it.
Lunch at Macrina is one of my all time favorite things to do. Your galettes are more beautiful then theirs.
…..and better tasting too!
LOVE this picture of Wyatt. And the previous one of Loretta. Too darn cute.
And that galette was really good. Very sweet. I guess that must be the carmelized onions.
Sarah and this blog are my model for my new Rebuilding Democracy blog, the one that Sarah is kind enough to point folks to (www.rebuildingdemocracy.com) - although the topic will usually be quite different. She manages to bring her observations of the wider world, as well as her delightful family, to the stories about food and recipes. I want to bring a personal, local perspective to the stories I write about politics and wider world issues. It seems like a yin and yang that reflects the different places we are in our lives and the different things we focus on now. When Sarah talked quite passionately a few days ago about how much people doing every kind of work still need to remember to be kind and present with those around them. I would hope the same is true in reverse - that people very busy with their personal lives and jobs and taking care of their families can find a few minutes to read about what one can do in 10 minutes to contribute to making health care work in this country or read about what the heck cap-and-trade is. I see my job is making that easy and fun to do - just like coming here to Sarah’s blog has become an easy and fun way for me to learn about eating and tap into Sarah’s life.
One of the things I love most about you Sarah is your ability to be truly in the moment…to know that you are living and being and that time will soon pass. You pay attention. And galette looks fabulous!
Wyatt are you crying or laughing? Love your legs!! your’re darn handsome!
Beautifully written. I love it. Just beautiful and precious.
Great shot of Wyatt! Those little carrots were the perfect snack as we waited in line at the Coleman Pool on the 4th. Thank you! So nice to have time to toast whatever’s next with your husband. I CAN’T WAIT TO TOAST WHAT COMES NEXT FOR US!!!! I know something is on it’s way. Enough already!!
So when I have a really shitty day, should I think of it as the fertilzer of life? Hmmm???
Or, in the more hygienic way I say it, “Everything is compost!”
I am in NYC, and seeing the photo of your little boy, so happy, made me smile. TY for this gift, and the reminder that time is precious, not to be squandered, but to be savored.
WAR
You have a great approach to health, food and fitness. I would recommend you read Michael Pollan. I was in the same camp as you are, but “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” got me hooked. You might be surprised.
Yesterday I started cooking my first CSA produce box, it was daunting, I don’t normally buy turnips, but the food channel came through and we had a great dinner of grilled chicken, pan roasted turnips AND southern wilted greens. I guess one actually can teach an old dog new tricks!
You’re in my favorites, I’ll be watching for more . . .