And happy Monday to you too. It would be hard to overestimate the incredible happiness I feel about having these next two hours alone in my own home. I just took immense joy in sweeping my front steps and putting away clean dishes. I think that really says something about how glad I am that the boys are back at school. Truly, people, I am reveling in this silence, lack of schedule and absence of anyone's needs but my own. I'm about to turn on some music, shell some beans and make some spelt-cardamom-cherry scones for our freezer. Jack has had an ongoing and serious yen for them lately, and I just keep not quite getting around to making more. So that's on tap.

As well, and in honor of Meatless Monday but also because our stock is getting out of hand, I declare today (and possible other days this week) Battle Squash/Pumpkin. I want to make something other than pasta so am eyeing a few Yotam recipes from Plenty: Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Soufflés; Parm-Herb-Breadcrumb-Crusted Pumpkin Wedges with Sour Cream; and Roasted Butternut Squash with Sweet Spices, Lime and Green Chile. Don't those sound fabulous? I think I might double-challenge myself today but cross-referencing these recipes with the ingredients I already have here at home. I cannot even count how many days in the past week I went to the market but I think it was at least 6 of 7.

Having also bought that gorgeous Emerald Queen broccoli (I think I'm recalling the name correctly) yesterday, I think I'm going to make again a wonderful recipe that has you roast the broccoli and dress with marcona almonds and a red wine or sherry vinaigrette. I need to go find the actual recipe but it was terrif!

Oh my gosh, and I forgot about the gorgeous cabbages I bought yesterday too. I better get crackin!