Thursday, October 25, 2012

plenty



I have been reading Diana Henry's book Plenty, reveling in the wholesome goodness of her recipes. The sort of dishes that remind me how great it is to just "keep it simple." Classic roasts and rice dishes, flavorful vegetables, and rustic fruit tarts. All (generally) made with easily attainable ingredients. Around here, the selection at the local grocery store tends to become somewhat limited once the hoards of "summ-ah people" leave. The closest Whole Foods is an hour away. And yet, there is plenty.

I have rediscovered my love of beans and root vegetables. Like fresh carrots, julianned, and tossed with Maine butter and chives. Wax beans, just naked and slightly steamed, perhaps sprinkled with a pinch of sea salt. The evenings have become cold and it is getting dark earlier. The gentleman and I light the candles in the dining room and pour glasses of wine. The dog is curled up at our feet, and there is always a hot meal on our plates. We exchange stories of our days, and we are content. We have plenty.  

8 comments:

Barbara Wells Sarudy said...

You would have plenty no matter your surroundings, it is your attitude of love which gives you, & all of the rest of us, - plenty.

home before dark said...

Lovely images. Have recently discovered Rancho Gordo heirloom beans which you can buy online. My local coop doesn't always have these in stock, so I laid in my winter provisions (the Borlotti beans are meaty~lovely in soups).

So, Missy, you think you can lay out the line "dog is curled up at our feet" without story+picture? I think NOT!

ps There is a dreamy, practical, lovely book in you to write about this transition in your life. GRAB IT!

Janet said...

Barbara ~ I think you are much the same.

hbd ~ Ha! I wondered if anyone would catch that little morsel. There is a story to come, and photographs of course. Anyway, I probably need to live a little more of this life up North before I can fill a whole book. But really, it's all about rolling with the punches. Ahhh, now, soups. . .

ArchitectDesign™ said...

yes - sometimes simpler is better! I'm loving the squashes and sometimes thats all I've been having for dinner.
Also our favorite snack lately is a few onions sprinkled with some olive oil and roasted in a covered dish for HOURS until it carmelizes. It's sweeter and more delicous than any cake!

pve design said...

Janet,
Have you ever read any of Deepak Chopra's books, The Power of Abundance....if we all allowed a revery for what we have, I truly believe that we gain plenty.
Gorgeous words and images.
I have been enjoying making soups and all the root veggies.
pve

personalized new baby gifts said...

You would have plenty no matter your surroundings, it is your attitude of love which gives you, & all of the rest of us, - plenty.

rustic pillow covers said...

yes - sometimes simpler is better! I'm loving the squashes and sometimes thats all I've been having for dinner.

decorative pillow shams said...

Barbara ~ I think you are much the same.