This space reflects the relevancy to life and love, and that covers about everything. I am a total package, of what I am not always sure. But Monday afternoon after a morning of pretty serious conversations, and being present with my lonely, sad self, I decided I needed some nurturing.
Nurturing myself comes in several forms in my life. Most recently, time with friends, time sewing, a little knitting here and there and always writing. But late Monday afternoon, I opened my refrigerator to see again an extra 2 quarts of milk I had purchased forgetting I still had 2 quarts in the frig...waste not want not. I will make pudding. Feed my dreary sweet self with a bit of comfort food.
Pudding from scratch is the only way to go. I am sorry busy people. The chemicals in the box do not count!! When I looked at the milk it is 1%; I cannot make good pudding with low fat milk. I seldom go to the grocery store for one ingredient. But I needed half and half and whipping cream to bolster the low fat milk. I looked at my day-off-straight-haired-strubbly face in the mirror. I twisted my hair up under my favorite Cubbies cap, and headed for Food Lion for just 2 ingredients: half and half and whipping cream--not the heavy stuff, just whipping cream. And I made the entire two-mile round trip without seeing anyone I knew.
Back home, I need a bit of background noise. I turn on the TV. And there is Ellen Degeneres. Perfect. I need some laughter and silliness in my day. And Ellen does silly and funny very well. She will be my cooking companion. Laughter fills the room as she spins yet another funny story.
Cooking is a bit of a ritual for me. I assembled all of my ingredients. And my equipment as well. Miss Stech (Manchester College, Indiana--1966) taught me well. Bowls for eggs. Bowls for sugar and milk and cornstarch. My favorite silicone wire whisk, a bowl scraper and at least 2 wooden spoons because I'll probably misplace one before the evening is over. And a mug full of cute little tasting spoons. Milk, half and half, eggs, sugar, cornstarch, salt and really good vanilla. Oh, yes, a cloth to wipe up dribbles and spills.
I scalded, mixed, beat and whipped, tempered the eggs perfectly, blended and poured. The pudding came together so well, I got a little carried away. If vanilla pudding is good, what would make it better--stir in some coconut...my taste. It wasn't enough for 10 servings. So, I stirred up another pot of pudding, and added chocolate. I dug out my Christmas dessert dishes. A layer of coconut pudding, one of chocolate, almost to the top. A Mounds Bar parfait. Something was missing.. In my freezer I found a cup of slivered almonds. Toasted with several teaspoons of sugar in a pan will make a praline topping for my dessert.
By now Ellen has led to Dr. Oz....please don't talk about cholesterol today. But I barely listen.
Then the news, then I turn it over to one more NCIS rerun. David McCallum and I go way back to The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (circa 1965). He's good company, But again, it is background as I stir the almonds until they are coated just right.
This week our Small Group meets on Tuesday. My assignment for our meal together is dessert. And there it is. I scoop the cooled almond off the wax paper and into an airtight container. I will add them as I serve the pudding. Almond Joy!!!
Self care this one Monday evening meant time in my little kitchen. I feel so much better. Therapy comes in so many forms. The dishes can wait. ......... Rachel
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