Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving sure raced up on us this year. Or maybe that always happens. I don’t know. Last year, the boys and I were in California for the holiday; so much has changed since. A trip seems like some sort of pipe dream right now. I miss much of the way life was, but I find myself terribly thankful tonight. My kids have all of their grandparents within mere miles of us now. Four healthy grandparents that enrich their and our lives so much. Losing their home was devastating for Mom and Dad, for my sister and me, but truth be told, the silver lining in this case is truly magnificent. I suppose that’s selfish, but I don’t mean it like that. It’s just awfully nice to be able to drop by and see my parents, to have them in our lives so regularly in a way only proximity allows. I loved growing up with my Nanny and Papa nearby, and I am grateful Jack and Ol now have that in spades.

I enjoyed lazily making pies today and look forward to a cozy, small feast tomorrow. Wishing you all a healthy Thanksgiving. Wear your masks if you leave your house!

A meal fit for Tom's 39th

My dear, spring chicken husband turned 39 yesterday. 39 sounds different my side of 40, but I'm cool with it. Other than the presence of the Vulgar Talking Yam, I have loved every bit of turning and being 40.

But anyway, Tom.

Because we went away and celebrated for the long weekend, I admit to y'all that when I realized, Monday night, that the next day was his actual birthday, I was a bit shocked. Like, it occurred to me that I always cook T a birthday meal and wanted to do so again this year, but I don't usually wing it so dramatically.

Which is why it is crucial to have high-quality, tasty ingredients in your freezer, fridge, and pantry. Staples, if you will. I didn't have to buy a single thing for this evening, and voila!

Entree: The Silver Palate's Chicken Marbella

ready for the oven

cooked!

Have y'all ever had this dish? My aunt Wendy used to make it regularly (or what seemed like regularly to me), and I always adored it. The chicken and prunes, wine and olives, bay leaves and garlic, capers and brown sugar all meld together in such a savory, pleasurable way. Mamma mia!

Prunes, bay leaves, garlic, brown sugar, olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano: pantry
Olives, capers: fridge
Chicken: freezer

Sides: A festive winter salad and some cinnamon and bay pearled couscous all the better to sop Marbella sauce with.

Can you even? Blood oranges, Sumo mandarins, satsumas, lettuces, olive oil, aged Balsamic, salt and pepper

pearled couscous with shallots, cinnamon, a bay leaf, salt, lemon zest

Lettuce, butter: fridge
Balsamic, olive oil, couscous, shallots, herbs: pantry
Oranges: counter top

Dessert: Blackberry Pie because T is trying to be healthful 

The boys chose tool candles because "Daddy can fix anything!"

Blackberries: freezer
Flour, oil, salt, sugar, corn starch: pantry
Milk: fridge

Lower School is soon a wrap for Jack

Six years ago, we had the incredible fortune to enroll Jack in the PK class of a tremendous school. Tomorrow is his 4th grade graduation, and I am exceptionally proud of how much he has grown and what a fine young person he is. 

I am not one of those who feels it's flown by. These six years have felt, for the most part, like six years. Long at times, fleeting at others. Hard, happy, full of growth, full of challenge. Exciting, dull, calm, worrisome.

In short, life. Six years of it. 

Jack is a soulful, bright child. His inner light blazes, and it is a privilege to be his mother. 

Today, as I laid out his seersucker pants and dress shoes, readied his swim bag for the post-graduation party, and made his celebratory pie, I thought about how much Jack has taught me. Parenting is a humbling, constant, funny, improvisational, tiring unknown, and I have become a better person for the experience of motherhood.

I don't know that I feel sad about tomorrow as much as I feel it a bittersweet goodbye. I have deeply loved our experience at the Lower School. It has not been perfect, but nothing is, and in that respect, I'd say it's been pretty darn close. There is something very unique about a small campus of 4-11 year olds, and while I am grateful that many of us will head to the middle- and upper-school campus together this fall, I will miss being ensconced by innocence, youth and play. Thank goodness  Oliver has three years left at the Lower School.

Thank you, Jack, for being you, for growing into yourself in such wonderful, kind, gleaming, dazzling ways.