October Rain
October 17th, 2011
Today’s Specials: Farmer’s omelette with buttermilk biscuits. Italian sausage on a ciabatta roll with grilled peppers, onions and mushrooms, and a milkshake. New York Reuben with chips and a salad bar trip.
I had a grilled cheese–one of my favorite foods on earth–with a bowl of minestrone. A perfect meal for a rainy fall day on Lake Superior. Rick lit the first fire of fall in the woodstove today, and now I’m cozy and sleepy and full. It’s quiet in the store for almost the first time since sometime in May, and I would love to do nothing more than read my book (CRISS CROSS, by Lynn Rae Perkins, and I love it, just as I loved her first novel, ALL ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE).
Can’t do that, but am pretty content to do what I am doing, too:
*wiping out the fridge
*cleaning the ceiling fan blades
*listening to Ruthie Foster sing “Woke Up This Morning,” on Sirius 70 (man, can she sing, and when the track’s over, B.B. King comes on and says in his gravelly voice, “You woke up this morning, don’t complain, you woke up.” And I think, Yeah.)
*prepping to make pasties
*eating my funsize Snickers that Gary just delivered (Yep, three weeks in and I’m starting to take the funsize Snickers for granted; note the choice of the word ‘delivered’ as opposed to say, ‘kindly gave me as a little gift for the twenty-somethingieth day in a row.’)
*cleaning the cabinet fronts in the diner (really, we don’t make a habit of flinging milk EVERYWHERE; how does it get splattered EVERYWHERE?)
*teasing Terri, who’s teasing me back.
Went to the bank, went to the Post Office, visited with a group of friends up from Cleveland, OH. Made a pizza, put bread in the oven, put in an order with Sysco, contemplated the bills for a while. Wrote this blog. It is such a relief and a pleasure not to be hurrying.
A pasty in progress.
A pasty all tucked up and finished.
Category: Today's Special 12 comments »
October 17th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
Even slowing down, you sound nonstop busy, Ellen, but if you’re feeling more relaxed, that’s good. And that neatly crimped pasty–how can it make me hungry when we just had supper?
Tale care, you!
October 18th, 2011 at 12:07 am
Your pasty is beautiful. I love the soft, heavy feel of an unbaked pasty. Of course, I like the taste of a fresh baked one better.
I’m glad you have some unhurried time now.
October 18th, 2011 at 1:17 am
This reminds me of something I tried when I visited with my Aunt Wendy and Grandma Morris. I believe one of the Airgood (Richard) boys had a shop that made these, maybe I am wrong, but similar. This was in the ’80′s so my memory could be a little faded. Looks delicious! By the way, my name is Renae Daenzer Dias, oldest daughter of Rex, my Grandma was Marjorie Jean Morris, she was a very nice woman and a very kind, loving Grandmother. Aunt Wendy is a pretty nice lady as well!
October 20th, 2011 at 3:59 am
Oh my heavens, that’s quite possibly the most beautiful pasty I’ve ever seen.
I really shouldn’t read your blog late at night. I’ve already gotten up to put rutabaga on the shopping list.
October 20th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
I thought I left a response a couple days ago, but maybe it didn’t “take.” Glad you’re having a little breathing space in your fall days. That pasty looks delicious! If I were in Grand Marais, that’s what I’d have for lunch.
Today is Thursday, and it’s pouring rain here in northern Leelanau County. Miss you, Ellen!
October 23rd, 2011 at 11:24 am
What beautiful work you do!
October 24th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
The tucked up and finished pasty is a masterpiece! It looks wonderful!!
October 25th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Thank you!
October 25th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Thank you, Pamela! Miss you too!
October 25th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Paige, you’ve made my day with your comment. Thanks!
October 25th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Renae, Thank you for writing! Marty did have a pasty shop, you’re right. And I agree, my aunt Marjorie was a wonderful person, as is my cousin, your Aunt Wendy!
October 26th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
There used to be a pasty shop to the left of Mackinac Bridge on US2 that had been there forever – they were so delicious! Does anyone know if the little white building is still there and open? It’s been a long time since we’ve been through.
Living in Jackson, Mich. seems so far away from the incredible U.P.!
Ellen, I loved your book and listened to your interview on NPR via Marquette. Your voice has such a soft lilt!