Lettuce, Beef and Getting Well(ish)

Lettuce, picked from my neglected January garden. I tumbled it from a basket into the sink, where I swirled it around in cool water and then dumped it on the counter to towel off later. Seems everything in my life is half-done these days: laundry washed but not dried. Letters written but not mailed. Today I found one boot, properly put away, but the other in different room. Why am I so scattered these days?

Perhaps I need to switch up my diet. Since I came down with pneumonia, I've had nothing much (aside from standard holiday fare, of course) except soups, oatmeal, Ramen noodles and hot teas. Not much protein there. Last night I went to bed so hungry for a steak, I lay looking out the window, hoping the clouds would break long enough for me to see a star. I wanted to wish for a Texas-sized slab of beef. With a baked potato. Just thinking of a seat at Texas Roadhouse made me feel better. I went to sleep thanking God for the food I do have and praying for those who don't have any, but I still thought a steak sounded superb.

This afternoon I found two packages of marked-down clearance beef shortribs. Not quite a steak, but I could afford it. I knew immediately I'd make something like this, and as I put them into my cart, the face of an older, widowed lady in our town popped into mind. Okay, I'll take her some, too.... Guess we'll both have beef for dinner tomorrow. (God's so good, especially when I'm already blessed beyond what I deserve.)

So I'm glad to be feeling a bit better. I'm in a cooking mood anyhow. That winter cooking mood where you don't mind standing around the stove all afternoon since it's warm and comforting and homey. I have a cookbook I want to cook through this winter: My French Kitchen. You haven't seen it? Oh gosh. You have to. It's my favorite cookbook in the world. And not because it's beautiful, although it is. It's because I don't like French food - not so much - but I've loved everything out of these pages. The meals and desserts are simple and rustic but also hearty and pleasing. Somehow they appeal to the southerner in me.

At least it'll be something different to go along with all that lettuce.

Where was I going with all this? Um... can't remember. Figures. Must be time for more medicine. Think I'll head back to bed.

Wishing you a cozy evening, and perhaps a cozy supper, too. -Brin