Ann Davis-Rowe

🍴:

Mon – we got home from PA last week to a leaking kitchen faucet (luckily only when turned on; it wasn’t running for three days) and an oven igniter that finally decided to crap all the way out. With him having rehearsal and me not being called for rehearsal, but having dance class, he took himself out and I once again worked on perfecting my seafood blend and peas in a tomato/white wine/butter sauce.

Tues – pork tenderloin with creamy Brussels and mushrooms inspired by this but with plain old baby bellas. A fun take on two of our fave veggies.

Wed – grilled chicken thighs with pan-roasted potatoes and glazed carrots. A reminder once again save all your random brine for marinading chicken.

Thurs – we planned on Papa John’s for dinner between the busted oven and rehearsal. Rehearsal got canceled, but we still took an easy win.

Fri – Oven fixed! Still went with the planned stovetop meal of pickled beet and sauerkraut hashbrowns — they were supposed to be latkes but I continue to screw up the flour/egg ratio to no onions — with pastrami smoked salmon, horseradish/brandy crème fraiche, caviar, and shaved radishes and cucumbers.

Sat – Gambas al ajillo with TJ’s new frozen black tiger shrimp, crispy roasted potatoes, and sautéed zucchini.

Sun – Squash, Sage, and Goat Cheese Beanotto à la this, using Rancho Gordo Domingo Rojos and with some added pancetta to keep my carnivorous husband happy.

🥃: Hampton forgot to stock our current house white, so he chilled a bottle we bought from a winery on our 10 year trip. Life is short – drink the good wine.

🐶:

📚: Happy pub week to Needle Lake by Justine Champine. Because I got an ARC, the publisher sent me a file of publicity photos, which is fun.

Just like Knife River, Needle Lake is so much more than its premise. Champine once again spins a deeply compelling, character-driven tale, infusing her characters with so much depth and truth. Ida is a strong, well-drawn narrator and you can’t help but root for her. Loved this.

🎭: We continue to get The Seagull on its (webbed) feet, rehearsed for an upcoming Mystery Men run, and I’m a week out from this year’s Lessons & Carols.

Also, Saturday morning, I ran the Mistletoe Run 5k with my day job. As I was cueing up my usual 5k running album — it’s got steady beats and also is done by the time I am and stretch, usually — I noticed the Spark theme of the day.

Anyway, anytime these rights want to be available, that would be swell. Preferably if I can super swing and sing all six parts.