Of the Gattuso Varietal

As far as energy levels go, I'm pretty bi-polar. But if ever there was a day infused with energy for starting over and kicking my bum into gear, it's a Sunday. Usually, depending on where the hubby is, I take Saturday's pretty slow. Sloth-like might be appropriate. But unless something is happening, it's my day to sleep-in, watch some TV, read, ignore the phone, forget about make-up, etc. I crash. And when Sunday comes along, I've had enough of my laziness and try to do something productive - laundry, light (emphasis on light) housework, grocery shopping, hanging out with girliefriends, etc.

This weekend was slightly atypical: starting with a Stuff-The-Bus fundraiser our station sponsored (during which I neglicted to wear warm enough socks and therefore shivered the entire six hour period) to my car's battery dying (holy $160 new battery, Batman!) and ending with the hubby's pooch getting hit and killed by a car on our death trap of a road - seriously, I am told this thing has contributed to more deaths than the Catholic Church is responsible for in Africa. Ha. See what I did there? Also, sorry Sam. Yes, you chewed my shit. But, no, you did not deserve to have your oh-so-chipper existence snuffed out so quickly. I am truly sorry and we will miss you.

Anyway, whereas this weekend was, well, chugging along at a different pace than those in the past, I have been trying to making an effort to reboot myself on Sundays. As of lately I've been working on my culinary skills. And trust me, they need help. However, I will admit that my most recent endeavor was a corn and cheese chowder recipe from The Pioneer Woman who, let's face it, beat me to the punch as far as city girls adapting to country life and blogging about it goes (remind me to tell you how small Twin Falls, Idaho, is in a future post). Granted, the fact that she blogs more than once every three months consistently certainly makes the fact that she's got her own TV show now easier to stomach. That and she can cook. I suppose that probably helps...

Anyhow, her corn and cheese chowder was fabulous - and gave me a few days' worth of lunches. The hubby not so much, since he's on the road and soup just doesn't travel quite so well, especially when you've got to reheat it. But that's ok. He's got a metabolism that's built for life on the road, and its subsequent fast and greasy food. Jerk.

The attempt before that was a butternut squash soup. I had come across a lovely little diner in Twin that served butternut squash soup TO DIE FOR. Considering I'd never had it before, I consider this a substantial statement. Regardless, the recipe I picked somehow included curry. Not sure why a red flag didn't go off in my head. The soup I had before was sweet. And, don't get me wrong, because whipping up a quick and delightful curry is on my Life List (which I intend to revisit at the end of this year), but... curry in butternut squash soup? Meh. Needless to say, while the hubby and I ate it for dinner, we weren't really fighting each other to get seconds or thirds.

I also attempted a lamb stew. But I did that the day after Thanksgiving, and it just didn't quite turn out, despite advice from my culinarily-gifted brother-in-law. I had issues with timing. Mainly because I may or may not have left it in the crock pot for a few days I just lost interest in it after the first cup, and there was no way I was going to be able to eat it all. (And then left it in the crock pot for a few days.)

However, even the sound of congealed lamb stew slopping onto the ground under the cover of nightfall behind a big tree next to the pasture is not enough to deter me. And even while, at this moment, a frozen casserole is cooking in the oven, I will try again. Though it might have to wait for Sunday. I guess that means I've got all week to troll around for what I'd like to try next. Perhaps something from Shutterbean, like banana donuts with peanut butter frosting. What, WHAT!? you say. I know. I know... or maybe some dijon-braised brussel sprouts from smitten kitchen - because I've been wanting to experiment with brussel sprouts. This seems an interesting way to go about it. All bets are off. But rest-assured, wine will be involved. We'll just see if I go the way of Hannah Hart or not.

P.S. Feeling on the uptick these days. +1 for being off meds, hooray! -1 for not exercising more than one day a week, boo! But I'm feeling good this evening, so... yay!