SEVEN YEARS OF BRIGHT LIGHTS
Can we agree that seven years of blogging about food is worth 250 calories? Thus, the cake.
Lately I’ve been reflecting on this lifetime of growing, cooking, eating and sharing food, realizing it’s the frame work I’ve used to build and re-build my life. Most of my happy memories are in some way attached to food.
– From my childhood I still crave Mom’s Apple Crisp, Helen Shelley’s Whipped Cream and Oreo Cookie Pudding, Millie Potter’s Molasses Cookies and Carole Renken’s mom’s Rice Krispie Bars. There are so many memories attached to each of those cravings.
– As for silly family memories, this rises to the top. The turkey wouldn’t gobble if I didn’t bring a huge batch of Chex Mix to my family on Thanksgiving. Every year my granddaughters wonder aloud if Grandma will remember. It’s always a week before the holidays when I get the call.
“Hi, Mom. It’s Missy. (long pause) Mom, now I am serious, please, please don’t put so much butter in the Chex Mix this year.”
“Okay, Missy,”
“Mom, Mom, I really mean it this year.”
“I know Missy.”
When I arrive the girls are quick to spy the Chex Mix canisters in the car. “I only doubled the butter,” I whisper to them.
They giggle and run in to tell their Mom. I do penance. Eleven years. Same story.
Take a look at the potato plant, just dug from of the soil. Potatoes are now grown in the Valley by Woody Creek Distillers who make acclaimed craft spirits including 100% Potato Vodka. WCD Photo
– One of my favorite Michael Memories is our annual potato harvest. We Iowans could not successfully grow tomatoes in Aspen but our potato crop was gangbusters. Each fall Michael would make the call. It was time. He’d grab his pitchfork to dig up the plants as I got down and dirty to retrieve those spuds. Since I experimented with different varieties, there was lots of ooh & aah-ing as we spotted each one. And God help that man if he mistakenly speared and damaged one of those tubers. Our harvest’s success dictated the number of guests invited to our boisterous potato parties which followed.
In Las Vegas, where I’ve spent the holidays, some people go High Brow and some go Low. I favor the Low – my favorite burger joint on Eastern Avenue.
My long-lasting friendships, whether in Iowa, Nevada or Colorado were nourished and nurtured in the kitchen and around the table. This experience of the past seven years of cooking virtually only raised the bar. In an instance of serendipity I joined French Fridays with Dorie, arguably among the first virtual cook-the-book food groups.
This exposure to kindred spirits throughout the world was an unexpected gift. C.S. Lewis nailed it, “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
LV now has a big box IKEA. Since I had never visited an Ikea I stopped by to taste their iconic Allemansrätten meatballs with mashed potatoes & gravy and lingonberry sauce.
A Bargain.
For me, every week I make time to plan, cook, click and write. My measuring cup runneth over.
There are none of the long lines here in Las Vegas as reported at Danny Meyer’s popular Shake Shacks in New York City.
Still worth a stop for the ‘Shroom Burger, a crisp-fried portobello mushroom filled with melted meunster and cheddar cheeses, topped with lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce. Tasted mighty fine with french fries and a salted caramel shake.
YEAR EIGHT KICKS OFF IN SAN MIGUEL de ALLENDE
On Thursday I am flying to San Miguel de Allende, located in central Mexico, for a 5-week visit. Designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, SMA joins other historical cities like Venice, Florence, Salzburg and Prague as the most historically and culturally significant in the world.
I will be living near the centro histórico, the city’s 500-year-old downtown district. For the next few weeks of posting I’ll be trading David Lebovitz’s recipes for those of Diana Kennedy, aka the “Julia Child of Mexico,” and Señora Trini, the reigning cook in my hosts’ cocina.
Gracias, Readers, for a wonderful seven years with you.
Oh Mary ! SMA will be fabulous ! Treat yourself well and enjoy every minute ! Will be thinking of you.
Best,
Nancy
I’m so jealous! Enjoy!
Mary it was great seeing you back behind the gates. You look great! I never knew they had food at IKEA. I’ve never been. Congratulations on seven years of blogging. Boy how time flys. Off to San Miguel, what an adventure. Safe travels and see you in five weeks.
Have THE BEST trip!!!!
Via con Dios ! Mary. I look forward to your food findings in such a glorious city. Please blog on, you are an inspiration.
Rita
Can’t wait to see pix!
How will I ever get thru my Fitbit challenges without you? Have a great time wandering the streets and nooks of a beautiful culture
Bon Voyage! (I don’t know how to say it in Spanish, but French works!) Can’t wait to hear about your Mexican adventures and cooking.
I feel fortunate to be among those that were to call you friend after you joined FFWD. My life has been much enriched by our friendship. xo
Happy 7 Year Anniversary Mary! Thanks for your outstanding writing, sharing, and unfailing inspiration! Have a fabulous trip South of the Border!
I was wondering why you were posting early! Happy anniversary to your blog!!!! And have a marvelous time in Mexico!! xoxo
P.S. Chex Mix from scratch is still the best! It NEEDS all that butter 🙂
It’s been great to share your thoughts and memories Mary. Blog on!
Mary…will be very interested in hearing about this town. One of the ‘dog people’ I met at Crown Mountain was leaving our Valley permanently for his house in SMA and that initiated a little google research. Enjoy! and see you this Summer.
I’ve loved getting to know you thru your blog and French Fridays! Have a wonderful trip. I envy you escaping the cold:)