Witnessing Magic

One of the perks of living in one place for a long time is you get to host friends who’ve moved on when they visit from out of town. Imagine our pleasure when we welcomed Rachel, one of our favorite “adopted kids” and her family today! Thank God we met her Mom, Patti, back when Rachel and our Vanessa chanced to land in the same preschool co-op. What I loved about Patti the instant I met her was the warmth she emanated. She preferred to be inconspicuous in all settings but consistently drew people to her with her soft voice, calm resolve, and authentic smile. Even though I was clearly an alternative “back to the lander” and she was a nurse and professor’s wife, we found common ground in our parenting philosophy. Our farm was only two miles from their woodland subdivision and so, as our families grew, our children shuttled and overnighted between houses for years… including the years during and after Patti’s battle with breast cancer. 

So here was Rachel, 29 years later, with that same warmth at our door with her sweet husband, Ben, and their delightful 15-month-old son. In the course of his three hour visit, Arlo opened and shut the airlock doors and the kitchen drawers, walked up and down the steps about a dozen times, and even heaved two three pound weights at the same time! Witnessing the magic of Rachel and Ben’s laughter, love and sense of wonder as they supported Arlo in his explorations flooded me with memories of my eleven year friendship with Patti. Here was this sweet couple, co-parenting with the same unconditional love, respectful guidance and hands-on learning that Patti had modeled so well. After a delightful afternoon of food and camaraderie with a few other friends, even Arlo waved goodbye as they pulled out of the driveway. It was a bittersweet moment indeed. I felt a wave of grief for Rachel’s loss of her Mom, someone I also treasured as a powerful mentor in my own life. Yet as I closed the front door, I also beamed with the realization that Rachel innately mirrored the nurturing imprinted on her by her beloved Mom, Patti.

Today’s trimmings took three hours and involved the blender, the food processor, the mixer, the juice squeezer, and the Excalibur dehydrator. Pulling together so many dishes in a burst of time always renews my intense appreciation for our Cuisinart Food Processor – and a debate with Bruce about whether it or the blender gets more daily use. The food pocesor is my go-to tool for mixing, chopping, and creaming but Bruce favors the blender for his many shakes. Regardless, our (post-) TG feast is an eclectic feast, allowing different dietary needs. Alaskan Salmon, Gruyere Potatoes, Cheesy Puffs and Sweet Potato Fries have also been on the menu in years past.

Appetizers:            Bruce’s Hummus

                        (Thawed, Purchased) Guacamole  

                        OG White Corn and Red Hot Blues Chips and Chopped veggies

                        Trader Joe’s Wines and (Thawed) Locally Pressed Raw Apple Cider

Entrée:            Squashed Soup (w / Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese Slices on the side)

                        Pumpkin Cornbread (made w/ apple cider instead of nut milk)

                        Cheonae’s Signature Seitan and Stir-Fried Veggies

                        Bruce’s Stir-Fried Zuke Onion Medley Over Rice

                        Fall Greens and Chard Salad w Broccoli

                        Creamy Crannutties Salad

Dessert            Schaum Tarts                       

                        Alden’s OG Mint Chip Ice Cream with Fresh Beriries

                        Flaxen Cashew Torte

To Go:            Koala Krispy Almond Joyballs

So, one recipe up tonight - stay tuned for the rest of these before December first!.

Coming next month- Costa Rican Creations... (or food for eight, now returned, far flung sloth watchers)