Asparagus doesn't only come in a Can

Cream of Mushroom soup on toast, served with canned asparagus. That was a common meal at our house growing up. I didn't know asparagus could be bought or served any other way. It wasn't until my 20's when I moved to the city that I saw asparagus sandwiches served at social functions. ew.
These memories came to mind as I was pulling into Sobeys to pick up some missing ingredients for tonights dinner. Namely, Asparagus. I had the luxury of working from home today and I decided to soak in some of our new HD channels. Still in my pj's, I got comfy in my big red chair, turned the volume down low and worked on the quarterly return. The whole point of having the tv on in the first place was so that I could peek now and then to see what was on the telly. Most of the time it was white noise but then a cooking show came on. Yum. Stuffed chicken and pasta, eggplant parmegiano and you guessed it, asparagus.
I love to cook, I just don't seem to have time most days. (that sounds bad, of course we eat, but it's usually a quickie and out the door we go). I may not have followed the recipes on the show but I did whip up a pretty yummy meal. Basil Pesto Rotini and grilled chicken, slices of eggplant in bread crumbs and seasoning covered in parmegiano cheese and fried in a pan and roasted asparagus basted in balsimic vinegrette covered in pepper and asiago. In my mother's words "it was the best I ever made!"
When I told little g about the cream of mushroom on toast meal she curled her face up pretty tight. I actually liked this meal growing up in rural NB and I haven't had it since I moved out on my own 20 yrs ago. Hmmm, I wonder why? I wonder if I would still like it today? I'll let you know.

A cozy day

Well, the weather man was right. We got hit with another "weather bomb". We closed the store early and events all around the city were cancelled. The roads were nasty and I was happy to finally be home, safe and warm. Today the sun is shining and it is a winter wonderland outside. My g's just came in from shoveling, while I sit and write, curled up next to the woodstove.

The temperature dropped today, it's windy and cold. Why would I want to go outside when it is so cosy in here? It feels like the perfect day to do some baking. Simmer some applesauce, bake a pumpkin cake, and some biscuits too. They will go great with corn chowder.MmmmmCorn Chowder. A perfect winter meal. My mom gave me this recipe a few years ago and it has become a great hit. What's cool about it is that it is so creamy and yet not a drop of cream or milk in it. Add a little rosemary and cheddar to the biscuits and voila, the ideal winter meal.

Well, enough sitting here thinking about it, time to get cooking.

Snow Days

I love snow days. Always have. When you wake up to see freshly fallin snow, the sound of the big plow, the thoughts of staying my jammies all day, listening to the radio in hopes of hearing your district announcing a cancelation. Not much has changed in 30 years. I still love snow days but with a slight variaton on the theme. I still love looking out the window at the winter white landscape. I still stay in my jammies - one of the pleasures of being able to work from home. Only now as a 40 something I crawl back in bed for an extra few Zzzz's before I begin my day and thankfully I can convince my lil'g to do the same.
Snow days are a day for simmering applesauce on the stove, curling up in a quilt, or building forts in the middle of the living room. Right now we have 2 forts in the house. They may look a little messy from the outside but crawl in and you will be amazed how wonderful they look from the inside.
Not everyone feels this way about snow days. I could list off a pile of complaints but complaining isn't going to make the snow go away. And if the schools didn't close we'd complain about the safety of our kids. Can't win with some. So I say embrace, peel some apples, grab the blankets and build a fort. Another storm is coming.

... approx. 15cm of snow is on it's way.

coming out of my slumber

Beep Beep Beep. slam. crash. I knock the hand cream, my journal and pen off of my night stand as I try to find the snooze button in the dark. One eye open, I see the mess I have made. I must have been in a deep sleep because the clock says it is 7:15am and it was set to go off at 6:55am. I'm surprised Grant hasn't grumbled yet.
I throw back the sheets and swing my feet around, grab my robe and try to find the energy to stand up. If I don't get moving soon lil'g will be late for school. The only thing motivating me is the idea that I will be back in bed in 1 hour. That's right. As soon as I get back from dropping lil'g off at school I am crawling back in bed to catch a couple more hours of precious sleep.
The smell of breakfast cooking works it's way through my senses. Perking me up ever so slightly. I must resist. It's cold outside, I better start the car, get it warmed up and the snow cleared off. Brrr, my bed is going to feel so warm and cosy and only 20 mins away. We head to school. It is a beautiful morning. The sun is beginning to make an appearance over the eastern landscape. The crisp air fills my lungs. I pull into the school yard as the bell is ringing. Phew. Made it, just in time. Now to get back home and back to dream land.
I kick my boots off as I hang my coat and hat and shake the cold air off of me. By the time I am in the kitchen I am fully awake and thinking there is no way I can go back to sleep now. Great. I am awake. Might as well put a pot of coffee on and get the day started.