MaryAlice Musings and More

"Belly Button" Ravioli New Year's Day Detox Salad Cream of Fiddlehead Soup Marsha and David Samuel enjoying his first New Year's Day Just a few pic's from yesterday - I was having such a good time that I didn't even think about taking pic's but a few of these were sent to me today.   It was a low key day,  finished up the dishes, got most things put back in place and just ignored the rest!  I am having a little oh it's the new year yikes!  I am leaving for two months at the beginning of March, and I was looking at the calendar and there are a lot of dates filled in with must do's, will do's and want to do's!   Many winters it is January and February that feel like the days stand still and the week won't end.  That may be something I feel in in three weeks but it is not the feeling I have today.  Having a filled calendar used to be my life, but in my "retired" life I like the days with nothing on the cale...

AFTER EVERYONE HAS GONE This morning started, the first one of the new year, with the softest light, it shone on the pines and the sky had such exquisite ribbons of color.  I just felt enveloped in the light, it felt hopeful and welcoming.  What a good feeling to have as I start a new year.  I made a cup of tea and began checking off things from my "to do" list.  For today was/is the day for my party, an open house to bring in the New Year.    By the time people started to arrive this afternoon, I was ready - food was piping hot.  Lots of choices, little delights were everywhere.   I did not take pictures while people were here.  It was so much fun.  People enjoyed being with each other,  I made sure to take the time and space to sit and talk with everyone.  There were good stories, good people, good food.  There was a vote - unanimous that this be a yearly event.  I had such a good time and I know every...

The day has felt like I was inside  a big, warm snow globe!  At times it was just swirling every which way and it was so very fluffy and light.  A good amount of snow has fallen maybe 8" or more, maybe a little less.  I have made several passes clearing the back porch and stairs and making a pathway to the garage door.  I could almost wipe it away with my hand, it made for an easier job clearing my way.   I have spent another day cooking, preparing, thinking about opening up my house on New Year's Day.   "Love People, cook them tasty food" is one of my favorite bumper stickers from Penzey's , my most favorite spice store with fabulous political leanings - and they don't mind letting you know!   So today as I was cooking I was remembering the people here and gone who I have cooked for and with, the simple act of carrying out the food together, the laughter and good stories shared along with a meal.  Little memories slipped in and out...

It's Monday, not that anyone knows what day it is right now!  By next week at this time it  will be a new year and no more middle of the week holidays until next December (4th of July is on a Saturday this year).   Winter storm warning is in effect, but the snow has not started and the forecast varies wildly!  Maybe 4", maybe 10" it will start snowing after midnight here and if forecast to snow all day and into the night tomorrow - Happy New Year's - good thing I am having New Year's Eve right here in my little house!   I had a baking disaster this afternoon.   I was making a pineapple upside down cake for New Year's Day --- and was singing and enjoying myself in the kitchen -- brought out all the ingredients and got the cast iron skillet ready, made the batter and popped it in the oven.  Then as I was putting ingredients away I looked at the baking powder tin, only it wasn't baking powder, it was cornstarch....the cornstarch cake was already ...

Today was making ravioli day.  I have been cooking chicken stock on the stove for two days, it is getting better and better and tasting richer with each step in the process.  This morning I brought the beautiful cooper pot in from the porch and put in on the stove to simmer again.  Then I got everything cleaned up for and ready to make the ravioli.   My Gramma made ravioli (my Mom did too) and my Gramma was able to have the time and space to let me help and be at her side.  It was magical cooking.  Making the dough, kneading it and then rolling out so very thin.  The fun part was making each ravioli - they really were more like tortellini than a ravioli - and to me they looked just like belly buttons.  We laughed and made up stories as we transformed that square into just the right "belly button".  I still conjure up that joy and love today.  I made three big trays and they are now tightly wrapped up on the auxiliary frig ak...

Remembering Philly at Christmas Time Past   I started today as I do most days with a cup of tea and working the suduko puzzle in the paper.  I get the Bangor Daily News (BDN) delivered on Thursday, Friday and Saturday - there is no Sunday paper.  It is a little action that I can take to support the free press.  I also have digital access to the New York Times (NYT).  The BDN and the NYT are pretty different in what and how they cover the news both local and national.  The local paper is long on obituaries (and I must confess I have started reading them - especially those older than 90) and sports (they do list all the college women basketball games in their daily listings and that makes me very happy!).  The puzzle is in the section that lists "camps for sale" and I like folding up the section and using my favorite pencil to fill in the boxes.    While still in my robe, I put on my boots and went out and shoveled the ice off the b...

My "not yet my house" 1 year ago. There was lots and lots of snow at this time last year.  My house closing was about a week away and I was trying to figure out how to make sure that they snow was cleared out before closing!  I was imagining the worst as I thought about all the workers that were lined up the next day after closing.  The snow was cleared, the worker came, the work was done, and the move went off without a hitch! Today the snow all has a crust of ice/sleet/frozen stuff.  I tried to shovel off my back porch and resorted to putting down salt and sand.  I am not leaving the house for the rest of the day and maybe not tomorrow either.  I have three different pairs of ice cleats,  click on the link and find the best pair if you are in the northern climes.  I never had ice cleats in Minnesota (probably would have been a good idea) but here I have them at the back door, I have a pair in the car, and I have several types depending o...