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emotional roller coaster

  • Posted on July 12, 2011 at 10:30 pm

It’s almost harder to be on an emotional roller coaster when it’s not your own life that’s going through it!

Yesterday, I saw an old friend and her family off as they made Aliyah (moved to Israel). First it was the departure in the morning, then tracking the flight all day, then the arrival ceremony at midnight (for which I set an alarm). I managed to see the whole family get off the plane (including Maggie the wonder pup!) and then went back to sleep. Only this morning did I find out that the kids were actually interviewed, so I went and replayed the video to find that part to rewatch, and recry, through. I’m completely in awe of her and her family for doing this. It takes a special kind of person to make this move, and they’re it. Yes, you’re finally the right kind of crazy.

Today, I have a friend whose son was in a motorcycle accident. He was found next to his bike in a ditch this morning, airlifted to the hospital ICU with multiple breaks in his neck. She’s still recovering from her own rather major surgery a couple of months ago, and this is really the last thing she needed. And there’s nothing I can do for either of them but pray. I’m too far away to help in person. I’ve known her online for more than 10 years, and it’s only perhaps later this year that we’ll finally meet face to face for the first time. And yet she’s part of that extended circle to which it pains me when I can’t go to them when they’re in need, that I can’t help.

Trader Joe’s, New Year’s Eve, etc

  • Posted on December 30, 2009 at 8:50 pm

They opened up a Trader Joe’s in Princeton not all that long ago….summertime, maybe. I had been to TJ’s when I lived in North Jersey, when there was one closer, but parking there was SUCH a hassle that it just wasn’t worth it. Now, if I could manage to get there without getting off at the wrong exit, this one will be not all that inconvenient to get to every couple of months. It’s totally worth it. I’ve been looking at the posts on Chowhound for recommendations on good items, and most things to date have been pretty good.

We’re having a few friends over for New Year’s Eve tomorrow, and brunch the following morning, so I decided to head over and pick up a few things.  Note to self: shopping at TJ’s while hungry is a Very Bad Idea. Why else would I end up with three boxes of Joe Joe’s (ok, two different kinds), etc, etc? For brunch, we’re going to get bagels and cream cheese that morning. I’ve got some lox, chocolate croissants, mini breakfast rolls and apple raspberry pastries. I still need to do a french toast dish and an egg dish. I’m thinking eggs and potatoes and ham, top half with cheese. I’m trying to do stuff that can just be thrown in and put out on the table with minimal fuss. It’s going to be a long night, and I know we’ll be running the espresso machine in the morning, so the less food fussing the better.I did pick up a pumpkin pancake mix from TJ’s so I may have to break that out as well.

Dinner tomorrow night will be a pot luck, so people are bringing a ham, pot roast with potatoes and carrots,  pastries, cheese and meat platter, fruit. I’ve got some mini cheese souffles, ratatouille bites, some assorted hot apps, chips and salsa, crackers and dips including an olive spread and bruschetta.  A truffled pate, For dessert, some macarons, lemon bites, assorted caramels and chocolates and cookies. Not to mention the pastry platter Jim’s going to bring. If I make it up to the Amish, I have to get some pumpkin bars, half a cherry pie and a small lemon meringue. A cookie plate from them too. Oh, and I was going to make brownies! Did I mention we’re only going to be 13 people?

Tomorrow, last minute errands and shopping and chores, and then a double espresso pumpkin latte.

My foot is finally starting to feel better. I may actually be able to wear pretty shoes tomorrow night, for the first time in months. It was still Faire season when I hurt my toe. I didn’t manage to buy a new outfit, which I had kind of wanted to do, but I certainly have what to wear.

second visit to ninety acres

  • Posted on December 20, 2009 at 11:43 am

We were finally able to get back to Ninety Acres tonight, though it certainly wasn’t for a lack of trying. Every time we’d called they could only get us in after 9, and I just can’t eat dinner that late. (Granted, I was usually calling the same day, or at most the day before.) For Friday, I was able to get us a table at 5:30 so I worked from home for the day. It was totally worth it, once again. The menu was fundamentally the same, which was not surprising since they’ve been open less than a month. As luck would have it, the same friend who joined us last time was able to join us again.

Our drink for the evening was once again the “Fall Back” and it was just as tasty as they had been the last time. At least the first round was; the third round was a little more potent, without the subtleties that the first had. Or maybe my tongue was drunk by then, a distinct possibility.

We shared the pumpkin and kale pizza again. It was a little more well done than it had been last time, which was not necessarily a bad thing- though I did manage to snag the least crispy slice when it was first put down. Tonight I needed to start with something hearty and substantive, but I wanted to try something other than the delicious soup which I got last time, so I got a half order of the wild boar pasta, with pine nuts and guanciale. For a half order, it was a rather substantial portion. Once again, David and the kitchen did an outstanding job. The pasta (not quite ziti) was of the perfect texture. It wasn’t a tomato sauce, it seemed to be just the meats and their juices, and some slivers of cheese it was topped with. Even the Husband, who’s never really big on pasta- or game meats- enjoyed it so much he finished my portion! We both went after the leftover sauce with some bread. The Husband was unable to resist the poached egg again, and once again returned a plate that looked like it had been licked clean.

For entrees, I had the duck breast which was just phenomenal, probably the best duck I’ve ever had. As the Husband commented in his blog, the texture was just perfect, without any of the chewiness that can often accompany duck. Or lamb, for that matter, which is what our friend had and it too was just outstanding. Again, perfectly cooked with magnificent texture. The Husband had the Chatham cod which was the lightest entree of the night and still delightful and perfectly executed.

For dessert, the gingerbread panna cotta was declared perfect and light, just the way to top off the meal. The “pie of the day” was a S’mores pie, graham cracker crust, chocolate mousse, marshmallow topping which seemed toasted to order as it came out smelling like the perfect toasted marshmallow. The Husband had the espresso donuts that I’d gotten last time. We also ordered their “assorted sweets and treats” to take home and will have that for a snack later today once the snow comes, I think. Once again we left absolutely stuffed, having eaten and drank ourselves deliciously silly.

As is unfortunately all too typical in our early visits to a restaurant, until we figure out which are the best seats for us, we had to change tables between the appetizers and entrees. The table at which we had been seated was in a row of two-tops fairly close together. Unfortunately, when they finally seated someone next to us, the lady was wearing a substantial amount of a rather pungent perfume. Dinner with a face mask is not really a fun option, so the Husband escaped to the front desk and was able to arrange with our gracious hosts to switch tables to a lovely four-top across the room.  Whew!

It’s certainly helpful that even at a new restaurant, we know much of the management for many years. They know if we are asking to move, that we’re not being difficult, that it’s a real need where otherwise we have to get everything wrapped up to go.

I wonder if they’ll let us make a standing reservation once they have the tables for “Bring Me Food” in the kitchen area. THAT would just rock.

So far they seem to be doing incredibly well and I hope they continue to do so.

Soon, the cooking school. I need to see what classes they’ve got scheduled there. I’m not sure I could handle a whole day in a kitchen like Scott’s doing at Elements, certainly not during the winter, but a class for a few hours, especially with chairs around, I can hack that.

ninety acres at Natirar

  • Posted on December 6, 2009 at 11:41 pm

Ninety acres is the name of the restaurant at Natirar, the new resort in Peapack-Gladstone being opened by Richard Branson. Ninety acres is also the new home for Chef David Felton, formerly of the Pluckemin Inn. It’s also the site of the newest Viking Cooking School locations. They opened this past Tuesday and we managed to get ourselves a reservation for Friday night. Once they open the spa there, I may never leave. I was home from work that day, and figured it would be the perfect opportunity, as we could get there early (and it sounded like a good reward for getting through two doctors appointments in one day). We invited a dear friend to join us and despite my running late, we managed to get out and find our way to the estate then wind our way up the road to the restaurant.  I imagine it must be breathtaking with the snow we got yesterday, as it was certainly magnificent when we were there.

The space is interesting. We were seated at a corner table at the back of the banquette near the kitchen. This was just fine for us, as it was as out of the way as it seemed you could get in that room. As it got more crowded the volume increased; it can get fairly loud. It’s also fairly dark in spots. Our table was just fine but the table next to us needed to use the candle to look at the wine list. The tables are fairly close together. It definitely does not have the same white tablecloth romantic ambiance as the Plucky does.

To start I had the butternut squash soup with roasted brussel sprouts. The Husband had both the hamachi and the poached egg appetizer with toast and bacon. Our friend had the butternut squash soup as well as the endive and arugula salad. For mains the Husband had the “farmer’s plate” of the day which was ale battered fish and chips. I love David’s french fries, they really are some of the best and most addictive I’ve ever had. I had scallops which were lightly seared and fabulous. I can’t recall what our friend had but it was meat and she said it was delicious and took home the leftovers. We also got a side of their mushrooms with polenta which were outstanding! For dessert they both got the ice cream sampler which was vanilla, egg nog and peppermint. I only tasted the peppermint but it was delicious with an amazingly creamy texture. I had the espresso donuts for dessert and this was probably the best chocolate dessert I’ve had in a long time. It was not too overwhelmingly sweet or chocolaty, but had just the perfect flavor. The chocolate sauce on the side was just enough to bring it over the top.

David also brought us a pizza (on the house) when they brought our first course- ricotta, pumpkin and kale and it was declared delicious by all of us and devoured, and I usually don’t like ricotta.

They offered house filtered water, either still or sparkling, for free which was a nice touch, and they left the carafe on the table. They had a short specialty cocktail list with all house infused or flavored items. Our drink for the evening was called the “Fall Back” and it was cider and rum and maple and oj and the thinnest strips of orange rind and it was really really good. I think I had three of them.The breadbasket is three different kinds of bread, olive, french baguette and something else as well as homemade crackers.

Needless to say by the time we were done, we were done. The bill was very reasonable for all that we got, and everything was just outstanding. Service was professional and friendly, knowledgeable and eager to please.

There are two things that we’re looking forward to. The first is brunch come spring time. The second is “bring me food,” David’s version of omakase or a tasting menu of indeterminate length. The idea is to start with five courses for a certain price and then expand from there. They’re also supposed to have outdoor seating come spring and even now have a couple of tremendous fire pits out back where you can sit. They also have space for the Viking Cooking School and will do other classes as well. Oh, lordy, this is gonna be fun!

Full disclosure: We know Chef David Felton from the Pluckeminn Inn as well as some of the staff, though not our waiter Jeff. Additionally, dining room manager Richard Spaulding we know from Restaurant David Drake as well as the Stage House before that. Considering it was their opening Friday night, we were just blown away when David came out with that pizza for us. They were having their first party in the downstairs kitchen that night and had just gotten the equipment delivered only a couple of hours before!

I can’t wait to go back. We’re already talking about booking the smallest private dining area for mother’s day this year.

Medical update behind the cut

Halloween weekend

  • Posted on November 1, 2009 at 10:33 pm

The short story is that work is hell and doesn’t leave me time or brainpower for anything else during the week and the weekends have been busy too. I’m going to try and do this in reverse order to catch up.

This past weekend was Halloween, one of my favorite holidays. We didn’t decorate the house this year, I’m not sure why other than neither of us was really is a state to fuss with it. Plus time is moving too quickly. I can’t believe it’s November already, and that we’ve changed the clocks. It was dark by like 6 tonight. Ugh. Today we drove up to Woodstock to see a friend and enjoy the drive of watching the leaves change. Next time we have to plan for something to eat along the way. On the way out of town we passed a caviar store, of all things, so this time we had to stop and have a look around. I bought the Husband some salmon caviar and some gravlox. I’m sure he’ll have some of that for brunch tomorrow with fresh bagels from the bagel store that opened up down the road. By the time they got there today they were out of bagels and already really closed. Yesterday we drove all over Long Island before going to Jason’s Halloween party. We got to drive through the old neighborhood and see the house he grew up in, the places he traveled. We also  drove over the bridge to the beach and got to see the moon over the water which was pretty cool. Before the party we had some Japanese food delivered for dinner with Jason and Dawn. It was rather tasty and we were rather hungry, having not eaten much of anything all day. We left fairly early as the apartment was warm and it was starting to rain so we figured to try and beat the storm. But that’s why we had gotten there early, so we’d have time to hang with Jas before every one else showed up. Need to get him out here to visit.

Lots of time in the car this weekend. It’s a very comfortable ride, and I truly appreciate that, but it was still a lot of hours.

weekend update

  • Posted on October 12, 2009 at 9:36 pm

It’s been another one of those busy weeks, and the upcoming one doesn’t look too different.

Work is still a lot of hours and a lot of work. I don’t like it any better this week than last. I was talking to the girls at PMG today when I was home and had IM access, and realized how much I miss them personally, as well as just working with folks on a daily basis to chat and catch up with, to break up the day, to sympathize with the specific insanities of the job. I don’t have that where I am now. And as anti-social as I am now I miss it.

Saturday was a very long busy day. We started the day taking a drive up to Woodstock to take care of a bit of business with a friend. It was a lovely drive, the trees are all changing up there, but it was almost two hours up, and then two hours back. We stopped at the Plucky for lunch on the way home. I had a yummy tomato soup and a crab cake with tempura green beans. The Husband had the butter lettuce salad which he said was spicy this time, so much so it made him flushed. He also had the baked ham and brie sandwich with an egg on top. He was so exhausted that he asked me to drive home. I certainly didn’t mind, it was just home from the Plucky which I’d done countless times before.

We get home and he’s just exhausted. Under normal circumstances it wouldn’t be a big deal but Saturday we also had a second Rocky Horror Reunion to go to. And I have to admit, I -really- wanted to go. Some of the same people from July were there but there were several folks including Sal who hadn’t been there. So we both just try to chill out and finally he goes to take a nap. Before he does we talk and he’s ok with me going in, so I put him to bed and go shower and get ready. I realize that I can’t wear the outfit I had planned because it laces up the back, so I find something else and head out into the city. I stop at Starbucks at the rest area on my way in for a needed fix and managed to get myself into the city and parked without too much angst. Always a plus to starting the evening. I hate driving into Manhattan.

Parking in the city is always fun. This time at least I knew exactly where I was parking, it just took $10 to convince the guy to find a spot when he said the lot was full. Got to the theater and got my ticket, definitely a good thing since the show sold out. Then met up with Jeremy; it was funny- I texted him to see if he needed a ticket and a minute later he came walking up the block. He didn’t actually notice my text till much later. I’m so glad the two of them are working together, and that this can work out to be something good. It’s so rare for either of them to have someone at their own level.  We then ran into Angela and the three of us headed over to the diner. Holy Hades was it hot in there! They had us in way too small a space and there were a lot of us and it was really freaking hot. In a way it was good that the Husband wasn’t there, he would have been incredibly uncomfortable and outside for much of the dinner. It took us FOREVER to order, but I think that was just my table, which I ended up sharing with Greg who played Rocky before my time (and that night) and his wife Laura and their daughter Violet. When we finally got it, they made a decent burger, medium rare as asked for. I figured they couldn’t screw that up too badly. Eventually we headed out to the theater. Met up with Jason and a couple of his friends for a smoke before the show.

Thanks to MMM I was once again able to get in with the cast and company before the general audience. It was a really good preshow. The kind of preshow I remember back from the Playhouse days. It’s good to be able to think back to those days and remember the good times and the friendship. I think it was MMM who in the tribute to Sal said that he created a place where all of the misfits and outcast could come together and be themselves and have each other. And we really did. It’s kind of amazing how 20 years later those are still some of the friendships and memories I treasure the most. I stayed till after Time Warp, said some goodbyes and headed home. I wish I had stayed till the end of the show. But it was late and I needed to be sure I could drive myself home safely.

I kept texting and emailing with the Husband all night which was really cool. Poor thing; I missed him so! But he was in no shape to be out and about that night and I’m glad he had the sense to let himself rest. Sunday we did just about nothing. He went out to pick up some awesome sushi for dinner and I think that was the extent of it. Today was Columbus Day so I had off from work but was still up by 9. Ugh! Even with the lunesta, I can’t get a decent night’s sleep. I’ve been trying to rest and do as little as possible for the last few days. I haven’t had much of a choice- the Husband has insisted on taking care of me and everything else and I’ve been trying to let him. Especially since he’s been fighting his own issues at the moment and slept for 13 hours last night.

I’m still fighting the headache, though for a brief moment it seemed like it was loosening its grip somewhat, so we’ll see what happens this week. I’m trying to stay optimistic but it’s hard sometimes. Though I have to say, I didn’t get as sick as I expected from being in the city Saturday night. I hadn’t been feeling well for a day or two before and was sure I was going to be knocked out on Sunday but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. I’m trying to be grateful for the little things. I still need to make a neuro appt. Ugh.

Next weekend we’re supposed to go see Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull down in Red Bank. Tomorrow I must remember to make the dinner reservations. Then Sunday my mother is throwing a surprise party for my stepfather’s 75th birthday.  Always something to do. Fortunately, the Husband is dealing with the cake for which I’m grateful. I was feeling a little overwhelmed having to deal with that too.

Must make plans with Rocky friends. I don’t want to lose touch again. The Husband and Phillykins need to play some chess, maybe get Mutie to come around, see who else we can wrangle up. Dang it. Need to get Ed and Joey to come home too, at least to visit. When things were good, hanging out with them were some of the best times of my life.

Bed. Rest. Sleep. Wake up. work. travel to office. work. travel home. work. bed. sleep. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Day at the Amish

  • Posted on October 3, 2009 at 11:21 pm

For some reason I couldn’t get the darn thing to work while I was at the Amish, or I would’ve posted from there as I went through the market. So we’ll just have to settle for a retrospective entry.

The most pleasant surprise of the day was running into Alex and Aki from Ideas in Food and their lovely daughter at the market. It’s their local market and they didn’t know about the website so I just sent them the link.

Other than that, I got some crab cakes and a twice baked potato which we had for dinner tonight. They were very tasty done in the convection oven. They were out of the soups I had wanted to get from the fish stand which was annoying. I didn’t really get a whole lot otherwise. Some desserts. A black forest one was different. I got some paella valenciana for lunch during the week. I got some eggplant in sauce and two Indian samosas. Cook up a chicken breast and I’ve got lunches during the week. The fruit stand actually had some peas in pods and I couldn’t resist getting a small bag. I got some dried mango, low sugar, no sulfites, and a s’mores snack mix which we already demolished. I didn’t get any meat or poultry, either raw or cooked, because I’m not cooking and I unfortunately can’t trust that they don’t season the meats with msg in some form. Though I really should just ask them; though I know Kingston does. I got one bacon, egg and cheese log for the Husband and I had a roast beef and swiss which was great- I wish we could get those in Kingston! I forgot to redeem my coupon for a free ice cream scoop. And I got whoopie pies. They had oatmeal and chocolate chip ones and I should’ve gotten more of those. Oh, yum.

Oh, and I got fudge. They had these little cups prefilled with pieces of fudge, so I got a cookies and cream for me and orange and cream for the Husband. We’re snacking on them now and they are quite yummy.

I got my haircut today. Woo hoo!! It actually -does- happen twice a year, believe it or not. The Husband comes with me and stands behind me while he and Lauren figure out how much we’re taking off. I never know till we’re all done. Today I don’t know how much we took off, but I’m thrilled. I love it when it’s this light, it feels so different. I think this is the shortest it’s been in years.

Tomorrow’s Sunday which means brunch at elements. Yay. Then we have a new client to visit and see what’ll come out of that.

visiting vegans and elements

  • Posted on July 12, 2009 at 8:54 pm

I love my vegan friends and wish they would visit more often.

Saturday started at the farmer’s market, where I ran into one of the waitresses from the Plucky. Then to the Amish which was remarkably uncrowded. Finally to the supermarket then home. All sorts of good stuff piled in the fridge.

After all I ended up worrying and fussing, we didn’t eat a damn thing in the house! We ended up going to dinner at elements. The kitchen table was available and accommodating the two vegans was not a problem for them. It was a fabulous meal, and we plan on going back the next time they come visit for a five course tasting menu. The Husband and I started with Kindai tuna. They have a kindai tuna tataki (five slices of tuna served warm over soba noodles and kimchi, topped with sesame seeds, as well as a kindai tuna tartare, served with white soy, scallions and ginger. I’m not sure which I liked more, probably the tartare, but only because the tataki had sesame seeds in it. The Husband had the filet and I had the scallop. This was at least as good as any scallops I have had any place else, if not better. They were served with the most remarkable fried broccoli and carrots.

For a change, we had dessert. The Husband had sicilian pistachio ice cream and Bailey’s ice cream. I had the blueberry dessert which was a phenomenal blueberry cobbler, blueberry sorbet and the most remarkable blueberry mousse, made with mascarpone cheese. Just delicious.

Our guests had a wonderful time was well. We also got to see a friend who works in the kitchen who we haven’t seen since she doesn’t do brunch which is usually when we are there. We also had cocktails for a change, too. The Husband tried two of their sake’s. The first one I liked very much. The second packed way too much of a punch for me. I had a “puesta de sol- mount gay eclipse rum, espiritu, blueberry, lime.” That’s how they describe it on the menu, but that doesn’t tell you that it’s really a fresh blueberry foam that they use and when it settles it darkens the color of the drink. It was quite tasty and definitely not overwhelming.

Speaking of brunch, we were back at elements for brunch today. We both had the french toast, and the Husband had poached eggs to go with his. I had a mimosa, too, a nice treat! The french toast was outrageous; that BLiS maple syrup is just incredible.

Tomorrow we get to host some of them here for a BBQ. I’m trying not to be too neurotic about the food. I have fillet mignons, chicken breasts, hamburgers, turkey burgers all from the Amish and hot dogs if we decide to go really low-brow. Macaroni and potato salad from the Amish, and I keep contemplating making a horseradish potato salad as well. I have the marinated mushrooms. Chips and salsas, veggies, humus and pita. Fruit. Lots of sorbets and ice creams. I’ve got a cherry vanilla chilling now to be frozen and then a malted milk that I’m going to make the base for today and freeze tomorrow. That’s in addition to the four (maybe five?) I already have in the freezer.  I think I’m going to make blondies too. I should’ve made the flourless chocolate cake but I didn’t think of it in time. Oh, well.

catching up

  • Posted on July 8, 2009 at 7:45 pm

Dang it, has it really been a week again since I posted? Ugh….real life, and it’s habit of interfering in my time of leisure, rather sucks. The last week or so has been kinda sucky again. But it’s looking up, at least I’m trying to.

So the updates on the ice cream front- I’m currently freezing a batch of pumpkin pie ice cream made with coconut milk. I’m not sure how I like the flavor or texture right now, but we’ll see once it chills some more. Peach sorbet has been the hit of the season here. I think I’m on batch #4 right now. Tomorrow, apricot ice cream- I’m looking forward to that one. The bananas are taking their sweet time to ripen for their next batch. The last batch was (is) too sweet, and I’m not quite sure how to fix it. My current thought is to rechurn it with a couple of tablespoons or dark rum.

No real adventures in cooking. I made pork tenderloin again. We grilled burgers and chicken. We ordered chinese food (my comfort food when I don’t feel well).  I think I had PB & J one night for dinner too, with orange marmalade.

We’re having company on Saturday and again on Monday. Saturday, a pair of vegans. Monday, a sous/pastry chef and his wife who is also the FOH manager. It’s been a bit of a struggle for me to plan menus. I made marinated mushrooms today. That should go well for both, since the Husband won’t eat them. If the vegans are staying for dinner, I’m going to make the quinoa, peas and asparagus dish again, with chicken for the Husband and I. Otherwise we may go out for dinner. Some veggies, pita and humus, chips and salsa, maybe buy some mini egg rolls I can heat in the toaster oven. Maybe make gazpacho, another thing the Husband won’t eat, but I can’t really make just for one.

On Monday, the plan is to grill, if the weather permits. As of right now, the weather says we should be ok, but I don’t yet have a plan B.

On the health front

Friday

  • Posted on June 26, 2009 at 1:24 pm

It’s gonna be one of those busy Fridays. So far I’ve already gone to the Dr for my magnesium infusion (which thankfully didn’t hurt as much this month!) and to the supermarket. It’s the newest Stop and Shop and they have the scan-as-you-shop which I love, love, love! Not only does it appeal to the geek in me, but you don’t need to deal with anyone at the checkout and it takes much less time than the self check out. Although I have to admit that scanning 30 cans of cat food is a pain in the ass.

Came home to gents cleaning my gutters. Better them than the Husband, which is worth every dollar.

The chocolate sorbet finally froze on the third churn. I don’t give a dang at this point, it can become chocolate sauce if it doesn’t freeze well. I’m so over the chocolate sorbet.

A new farmers market opens today at 2 just up the road. Supposedly they will have much more stuff than the market on Saturday, which I can’t wait to see.

I did buy peaches at the supermarket for another batch of peach sorbet and I have bananas ripening for more banana ice cream. Ok, so I have two batches of bananas, one to use when ripe, one when overripe. I want to see what makes a difference. I really do, to a certain extent, want to keep making ice cream instead of sorbet since I could use the calcium. I find myself eating much less of this than I would a pint of store bought. Plus there’s less crap in it. And I have a malted milk one on my agenda as well.

After all this, I’ll dress and head into the city for dinner, drinks (only one for me since I’m driving), and raucous laughter with my girlfriends. We don’t get together all that often any more, and I’ve missed the last couple ’cause of my health, but I cherish them deeply and miss them lots.

Tomorrow, up for my little farm stand, potentially, then off to the Amish since I didn’t get there yet this week and need food.

My pain levels have been through the roof the last 24 hours or so. Better now but last night was really, really rough. Vicodin wasn’t much cutting it. Am hopeful that as the weather moves out of this damp and dreary dreck that it has been, my body will decide to stop rebelling and like me again. Feh.