Today is my last day in Connecticut before our holiday trip to the Poconos. I have loads of laundry to put away, dishes to do, bags to pack, garbage to take out...but here I sit, blogging.
Last night, in honor of the winter solstice, we had a really tasty meal of roasted vegetables with (drum roll please) goose stock sauce. Oh yeah, baby! And I've got more of it in the freezer still. This is exactly why you should make stock. I transformed a lowly potato, sweet potato and some pre-chopped turnips into a celebratory feast. I tossed them all in some goose fat, sprinkled them with salt and pepper and roasted them in the oven until they started to brown. One cup of goose stock in a saucepan seasoned with ancho chili powder, smoked paprika and allspice and BANG! A really tasty meal.
I also checked out Linda and Los's pad for the Faux New Year's celebration. Plans are going ahead to relocate there for our "baked potato/best of" feast! I'm looking forward to the opportunity to cook in someone else's kitchen - and make a mess, as usual. They have a nice space with plenty of room to sit, stand and play video games.
Food comas are in order, because Arcane Malevolence usually has to go play a show. But this time we're free to eat ourselves into oblivion. And we will.
Baked potatoes topped with ropa vieja, chili, bacon and cheese...I'm even thinking of peas in beurre blanc for Baldwin. Because he never ate a pea until I put them in my Chicken Pot Pumpkin Pie.
I'll let the guests bring desserts and drinks. I'll supply a few munchies like chocolate covered bacon and jerky, but we need to save room for the potatoes. They're gonna be outstanding! I can't wait.
I hope everyone enjoys the holiday - no matter what your religion or lack thereof.
Bang on, my peeps!
-HH
Showing posts with label Winter Solstice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winter Solstice. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 Happy Freakin' Solstice!
"Winter Solstice is a time to celebrate the increasing daylight, to renew, and to see the world through the eyes of a child. Celebrations at Yule tend to raise our spirits, and bring harmony, peace, and joy. We see the wisdom of past experience begin to glimmer. The experiences we yielded over times gone past begin to be reborn as wisdom, new light, to guide us further down the paths we have chosen." Linny Lee's Facebook Status
All hail Linny Lee!
Last year I was invited to my first Winter Solstice celebration. What the hell it was, I wasn't quite sure. I clung, somewhat, to the wall. I knew the people there, but the last of my depression was still clinging to me like a static silk skirt. Of course, I wasn't too depressed to miss the opportunity to fellate a gingerbread man. A girl has her priorities.
At one point in the evening we were given the opportunity to burn a pine cone on the yule log to release our negative energy, or to fill the air with our positive thoughts, I think there was a debate on that. But what ever the meaning I liked the ritual, even though I didn't do it. I'm a die-hard Atheist, why start with ritual now?
Of course my wedding was still a ritual. And all that theatre I've done is certainly ritual. But I resist none-the-less.
And yet, reading that status makes me think this entire year was a solstice for me. A rebirth. A fresh start. A new beginning. A refocusing of the pain in my past, the paths I have chosen and the roads I see ahead. A new trail forged with every step towards an unknown, unblazed future that I alone have created and am able to consummate.
What a difference a year makes. Now I look at that picture and think "that shirt doesn't fit anymore." My cooking has led to enormous ta-ta's as well as strengthened relationships and brand-spanking new ones.
Happy Solstice, everybody! May your reflections shine as bright. And if not I suggest you get some Metal Motivation! Then cook some good food for your good friends. Maybe start a blog.
Bang on, my peeps!
-HH
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