🍴:

Mon – Crispy Gnocchi and Sausage with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce (which was handy since Hampton forgot to buy dog food and we could give them extra pumpkin + rice) and salad.

Tues – salmon with a farro/leftover red bell pepper/feta salad and the end of a pack of green beans.

Wed – Chicken Scarpariello to use up the end of our murasakis and some leftover artichoke hearts along with the other half of sausage from Monday.

Thurs – creamy, cheesy gnocchi with shrimp and charred Brussels frankensteined from this inspo after a Wake Forest ladies basketball game. It looked like a disaster and was absolutely tasty. Sadly, I didn’t have any booze that night to really appreciate it for breakfast the next day, but it was still a delight for both meals.

Fri – Pork Chop au Poivre, fries, salad. We would have been happier with just a solid dusting of mixed peppercorns from our grinder vs taking the time to attempt to crush them (ironically, we discussed our need for a mortal and pestle recently), and I was so concerned about undercooking the chops they got a little dry, and our ancient handmedown toaster oven did not do the fries as well as I’d like. BUT the sauce was fantastic. Will try again for sure.

Sat – rosemary, garlic, pistachio crusted rack of lamb, Essaouira couscous with saffron, mint and lemon, blistered green beans with a healthy shake of Tan-Tan.

Welp, because the couscous didn’t want to cook properly (the water measurement and technique was completely off for the TJ’s whole wheat version), I burnt the lamb crust under the broiler. Luckily, I had added enough other seasonings to it that even scraping off all the pistachios, it was still flavorful. A drizzle of pomegranate molasses and some feta makes everything better and pulled this hot mess together.

Sun – after two nights of less than perfection (but still pretty dang good), a welcome dinner out during a busy day. I got back in town from ushering a TPPA show in time to join Hampton and some friends at Camel City BBQ Factory before an audition. Parked my car in front of Ethan and Brandon’s apartment to go meet Hampton and Kady and Ethan was on the sidewalk behind me. Hampton had just been at the apartment for promo pics for our next murder mystery and Kady had been there earlier rehearsing the publicized audition sides and oh maybe this should all have gone in the theatre section.

🥃: As mentioned – a new Two Wolves delivery! We haven’t even planned our appropriate meals yet. For shame.

🐶:

📚: A very busy week means not finishing anything new since I have rediscovered games on my phone. If I don’t hit my informal annual goal of 120, I promise to delete them all again.

🎭: A busy weekend! Saturday after ballet, I did my promo shots for our holiday show, Mistletoe & Murder.

Sunday, I skipped choir practice to usher for Triad Pride Acting Company’s The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me.

From the TPPA description —

Originally debuting Off-Broadway in 1992, “The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me” quickly became one of the longest-running solo shows in New York history, earning David Drake an Obie Award. More than a memoir, the play is a vivid collection of vignettes and monologues that explore the fear, anger, love, and courage shared by a generation of gay men and women. It is a tribute to the revolutionary power of art and activism, sparked by a pivotal moment when the protagonist is profoundly affected by a reading of Larry Kramer’s seminal work, The Normal Heart.

The script has been re-imagined to support a cast of 5 but remains as vital and poignant today as it was thirty years ago, the show offers a raw, emotional, and often humorous look at:

• The personal and political awakenings of a young gay man.
• The devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic on the community.
• The journey from bystander to activist, fueled by a desire to fight for life and dignity.

This was an engaging and moving little show, not maudlin poignancy but respect to one man’s journey. You have one more weekend to see it!

As a bonus, I got to see so many wonderful people from this summer’s Baby, and got ego boosts being recognized from that show. One couple recognized me from Hedwig… and it turns out they attend the church I sing at for holidays. Now that is a lovely and unexpected combo. Here’s to you, Frank and Pat, thanks for saying hi!

As I mentioned last week, Hampton was unexpectedly pulled in to direct The Seagull at Camel City Playhouse. Auditions started tonight and continue tomorrow. Here’s hoping he gets a cast he likes so I don’t have to deal with him if he doesn’t.