I tend to scribble lists continually, useful ones for shopping and organisation of day, and now slightly surreal ones concerning ideas for blog. Here's one I made this morning post wake-up but pre shower; never my best time...Waitressing dreams, controlling anxiety, feelings of inadequacy transformed, connecting with people, not living in the future, working and living together, partnerships, friends reconnected, past relationships analysed from distance, excellent risotto, new painting ideas.
The excellent risotto I can deal with from a distance of some twelve hours, the rest I may leave as a memo for another day. As yesterday was one of our tighter budget moments due to the purchase of a new iron, I searched the cupboards to stretch out our pennies... found a tub of chicken stock in the freezer, some dried Chinese mushrooms which I soaked in the (defrosted) stock, some cooking chorizo, onions, risotto rice, our lovely herb oil and a selection of frozen vegetables. And some feta cheese. The secret to risotto in my humble opinion is to keep it simple but keep the ingredients good and flavours punchy; hence the chorizo. One of my all time favourite ingredients, with its blend of oils, spices and smokiness it can sneakily transform many a stew, rice dish or tortilla into something more than the sum of its parts, and a little goes a long way. Fried up the onion and garlic gently for a while, added chopped chorizo and raw risotto rice; cooked to soak up flavours and oil. Added mushrooms and some stock, simmered on and kept adding stock until the rice had absorbed all it was going to; then popped in baby broad beans and peas from the freezer. Heated through and finished with herb oil and crumbled feta; my comfort food heaven.. Saw a good looking recipe for pork meatballs with sweet chilli and lemongrass; must find it again long enough to write out the basics as anything involving mince is a budget winner!
Spoke to my mum tonight after a week's break as she has been driving around the country visiting people and painting, photographing, eating scones (my future, I imagine...). I have been toying with breaking the news to her that we are thinking of finally setting up our own business next year but have been wary of worrying her in such financially uncertain times. Why do we do that? Forty something years and I still treat my mother with kid gloves and woefully misread her ability to absorb change; finally blurt out my intentions and she replies 'Oh, that's a good idea, I've always thougth you'd be good at that. Did I mention Joan's new patio?'....
Of all the items on my outlined list for the day, two shall make the cut; waitressing dreams are always a sign of stress in my mind, especially when I am no longer waitressing. I must pay heed to this and make a concerted effort not to do absolutely everything at once or attempt to. Which brings me to point two; try not to live in the future. My default setting is to hurtle through days pushing aside and ticking off tasks that take me closer to my elusive future utopia; note to self - stop and smell the metaphorical roses, and there may be less of the waitressing dreams...
Now, list for tomorrow:
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