Has it been a week? King Cake, pasta, salad, Nutmeg

It has just occurred to me that I've not slept through the night since January 19, and even then, I was tired. Politics, the March, our kitchen, Nutmeg, various ailments racing through our house and community...I am so tired that today I watched a hilarious skit featuring Seth Meyers (SNL, The Late Show, and a former college-mate of mine) and Kelly Clarkson day-drinking and immediately wondered if I was drunk without my own knowledge.

I am that tired.

So, I have little for you except some recent kitchen wins and a kitchen update and an enormous spot of gratitude for hot tea and the fact that my in-laws have the boys tonight. Praise whomever for local grandparents being a fact of my life.

It's Mardi Gras season, y'all, and so, King Cake. This one was for Jack's family culture evening at school. Although we will have no kitchen starting Tuesday, I have promised cakes for both boys' classes on Mardi Gras Day. Hmm. As usual, I use Southern Living's Traditional King Cake recipe but I do NOT add the lemon juice to the icing. 

Last night: pasta with Brussels sprouts, speck, and parm. Amen for good carbs on cold nights. Also, it has a distinctly Mardi Gras feel, which I love. 

Lastly, a gorgeous winter salad of shaved fennel, avocado, pomelo, roasted and salted pistachios, shaved manchego, salt, pepper, basil olive oil, and blackberry balsamic. Is this not just glorious? It tasted as good!

The Nut acts as if he were never injured, and mercifully, our kitchen renovation finally commences on Tuesday with demolition day 1. If I could take the first swipe at it all, I would. Maybe I'll ask. I mean, this stupid Nunes memo nonsense has made my blood boil, so perhaps the crew wants a lady eager to crank through some cortisol via sledge hammer?!

Our new range -a stunning charcoal gray beauty from Lacanche via France- arrived last Monday. I have nicknamed her Gal Gadot because she is not only stunning but also strong and charismatic. She will anchor our new kitchen, but many other beautiful treasures will complete the room. I'll keep you posted, but here's a sneak peek of Gal. 

As an aside, why is not all language written in the beautiful scripts of Europe? Just look at those handwritten letters and numbers on the crate. Mon dieu. 

Nutmeg is home

We are all blissfully happy. Nutmeg is home and is doing SO well. He walked in, toured the house, ate four bowls of food, groomed his paws, and snuggled with me on the couch. You can tell he is exhausted but happy to be home. The team at Friendship Hospital for Animals took such good care of him, and we are forever grateful! Off to bed now, but a few beauty shots of my guy.

Nutmeg

I have been completely, and in the best way, bowled over by the deluge of love and support y'all have sent us since Nutmeg got hurt on Sunday. Team Nutmeg is alive and well on Facebook, and all your emails and calls have meant the world.

Miraculously, Nutmeg has made a pretty amazing recovery so far. He had no damage to his limbs or internal organs, he is not blind, and the swelling in his face has gone down significantly. The doctors postponed surgery one day to let him heal a bit more and because his red blood cell count dropped and a heart murmur was detected. By this morning, his RBC was still lower, meaning he is severely anemic but not yet emergent, but the murmur had stabilized, and they believe it's related to the trauma and will resolve. Donor blood is at the ready should they need to transfuse him.

I have visited him twice daily, and his spirits have been stunningly good. I've brushed and wiped him down, and he constantly rolls over for belly rubs and has even tried to play a bit with the nursing staff. They just love him.

Can't wait to get my boy home. Thank you for everything!!!!