Surgical Food Strike
The Silver Maples have given up their leaves for the year. I was able to do a final gathering of them this weekend, placing them out at the road for municipal collection. I also put away the last few items that lingered in the garage, so now Lori can park her car in there as well. When the boys pull in the driveway for Thanksgiving, they will naturally assume that no one is home. The cars couldn’t be in the garage, could they?
I returned home late Friday night from Detroit, having attended another quarterly gathering of EOS Implementers. As sometimes happens, I went into this meeting feeling a bit scattered and unsure how much takeaway value I would realize from the meeting. Of course, I left with more focus and energy for the future. As always, a good recurring lesson - honoring one day each quarter, to re-set ourselves, get re-grounded in our long-term vision and identify obvious next actions is a fundamentally good thing to do. Of course the only reason those next actions seem “obvious” is because we take the time to get out of the day-to-day, surround ourselves with intelligent peers and think clearly, without distraction for a few hours.
Waking a bit groggy Saturday morning after a fast, full week, our first order of business was to plan our grocery list, so that we could cook some food for three different friends who are having (or have already had) surgery. It’s such a simple gesture, to help a friend to eat well while they convalesce. I am always happy to do this. The fact that we were doing it for three people at once was a bonus, because I love the efficiency gained from cooking a big batch of something. We ended up making lasagna. I hope that our friends recover quickly, so we can break bread around the same table again soon.
Ray Ray’s announced this week that they were closing three locations. Such announcements by anyone whose business is to feed people always breaks my heart. But Ray Ray’s is still in the game - regrouping, not tapping out. I look forward to the Smoked Turkey Breast I have ordered from them for Thanksgiving Day. They will cook that bird far better than I can, freeing up my oven for more delicious side items. Cheers to James for taking the decisive (if painful) action to scale back.
This time next weekend I will be deep into Thanksgiving meal planning. Between now and then it will be almost pure ideation. But come next Saturday, the menu will be set, and a schedule for shopping, prepping and cooking everything will be drafted. Come Thanksgiving Day, I want everything to glide like a magic carpet, popping a few things in the oven at their appointed times, setting the table, playing some nice music and hanging out with friends and family all day. Throw in a long hike, and it will be perfect.
Sunday Supper
This is the Lasagna that we made for our friends this weekend. These Chicken Enchiladas were considered as well (we decided they wouldn’t freeze as well). This Spicy Chipotle Honey Salmon Rice Salad looks both healthy and flavorful. These Rosemary & Dried Cherry Pork Chops feel very Fall-like (plus, Bon Appetite dropped their paywall!).
Sunday Music
Ben Folds is playing tonight at the Midland Theater. Here is a performance of his from Australia (I don’t think he’s bringing a full orchestra with him this evening). Here is the great Diana Krall doing her thing in Paris a few years back. Lastly this week here is STELLA, performing on a New York City rooftop. Enjoy!
If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them.
Have a great week ahead! You can do anything you set your mind to. Let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love,