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PygmyRabbit of Shadow
Oct. 23rd, 2021 09:27 pmWe're back from our trip to see Deb and the Prussian. I'd say it was a success, overall. One of our goals for the visit was to help out with any everyday kinds of things that might come up, including cooking. Last time we were there, the Prussian requested that I bring a chocolate cake next time. My chocolate sponge cake--low sodium because beaten eggs provided the leavening--came out pretty well, and was frosted with more chocolate. At the last minute, it occurred to me that the beef stroganoff I'd been planning to make for the Sparrowhawk and me was also low sodium, so I boxed it up and brought it along in case it might prove helpful. We had it for dinner Thursday night along with mashed potatoes (no salt) and roasted broccoli made by Deb. And then cake, with ice cream and an amazing fudge sauce that Deb made from some leftover dark chocolate bars.
Thursday, we made a shopping list and I went with Deb to the Whole Foods to get things we needed for the rest of the visit. That night, I prepped the pork tenderloin with garlic and herbs and three kinds of roasted beets while Deb took a much-needed nap. She bounced back in time to make aloo gobi as a side dish. So spicy and delicious! The total combination of flavors was very nice. BUT--let me just say that if a recipe tells you a piece of pork will be done in half an hour, don't believe them! I expressed my view at the beginning that it would take an hour. Guess what--I was right and the recipe was wrong. Deb had to cut it in pieces and crank the oven up to 400 before it was right for eating. Good when done, though. For lunch, the Sparrowhawk got a group consensus on take-out, then ran out and brought back Chipotle for all.
Our other main objective was to be available to drive around on errands. I think our car is a bit more comfortable than the one they have borrowed for transporting the Prussian. Thursday, after Deb and I did our shopping run, we accompanied The Prussian for an amazing walk with his walker all the way to the end of the block and back. Then we drove out to get his referral for another segment of physical therapy, and then on to a small farmers market in a nearby village. The Prussian wanted to get cider and doughnuts. Sadly, the market didn't have any, but we did find two kinds of honey--wildflower and blueberry--and I bought some lavender honey soap from the same vendor.
Today, we made an expedition to a local orchard, A kind worker saw the Prussian with his walker, and offered to give us a ride to the store building on his golf cart. We did find cider and doughnuts and carried them home for a late brunch with scrambled eggs and bacon. On the way, we stopped to pick up one of Deb's projects from Jo-Ann Fabrics. Then Deb gave us some sage advice about end-of-life planning, and then we had to pack up and zoom off to the next stop--a visit to the Sparrowhawk's old friend from high school and her husband. He's an architect, and they showed us around their beautiful house and the garden with special sculptures and art that they're building. They kindly gave us some coffee and cookies to take on our homeward trip--much needed, because we were pretty tired by then. Deb's guest room is lovely and very comfortable, but as one gets older, it's harder to be away from home. The Sparrowhawk is pretty tired too, and has a cramp in his back, and although we are sorry to leave such good friends, we're both looking forward to resting up a little.
Thursday, we made a shopping list and I went with Deb to the Whole Foods to get things we needed for the rest of the visit. That night, I prepped the pork tenderloin with garlic and herbs and three kinds of roasted beets while Deb took a much-needed nap. She bounced back in time to make aloo gobi as a side dish. So spicy and delicious! The total combination of flavors was very nice. BUT--let me just say that if a recipe tells you a piece of pork will be done in half an hour, don't believe them! I expressed my view at the beginning that it would take an hour. Guess what--I was right and the recipe was wrong. Deb had to cut it in pieces and crank the oven up to 400 before it was right for eating. Good when done, though. For lunch, the Sparrowhawk got a group consensus on take-out, then ran out and brought back Chipotle for all.
Our other main objective was to be available to drive around on errands. I think our car is a bit more comfortable than the one they have borrowed for transporting the Prussian. Thursday, after Deb and I did our shopping run, we accompanied The Prussian for an amazing walk with his walker all the way to the end of the block and back. Then we drove out to get his referral for another segment of physical therapy, and then on to a small farmers market in a nearby village. The Prussian wanted to get cider and doughnuts. Sadly, the market didn't have any, but we did find two kinds of honey--wildflower and blueberry--and I bought some lavender honey soap from the same vendor.
Today, we made an expedition to a local orchard, A kind worker saw the Prussian with his walker, and offered to give us a ride to the store building on his golf cart. We did find cider and doughnuts and carried them home for a late brunch with scrambled eggs and bacon. On the way, we stopped to pick up one of Deb's projects from Jo-Ann Fabrics. Then Deb gave us some sage advice about end-of-life planning, and then we had to pack up and zoom off to the next stop--a visit to the Sparrowhawk's old friend from high school and her husband. He's an architect, and they showed us around their beautiful house and the garden with special sculptures and art that they're building. They kindly gave us some coffee and cookies to take on our homeward trip--much needed, because we were pretty tired by then. Deb's guest room is lovely and very comfortable, but as one gets older, it's harder to be away from home. The Sparrowhawk is pretty tired too, and has a cramp in his back, and although we are sorry to leave such good friends, we're both looking forward to resting up a little.
