Blue Devils win, Ol on the mend, awesome pasta din

It has been such fun for me to watch J's baseball team -the cutest, mostly-scrawny, mostly-clueless-re-baseball kids- come together over the past nearly-two seasons. Last year was borderline hysterical; few of the kids knew the rules of the game. Fielding? Running when you actually hit the ball? The Blue Devils were a darling learn-as-you-go band of brothers that finished the season 0-8. This year, however, as if Coach K came aboard, they're 3-2 (I think) and everything is coalescing beautifully. I'm not a terribly skilled athlete in any way so it's never mattered a lick to me if they win or lose. But for them, after a while, it really does matter, and I'm so happy that they're experiencing victory. J had two hits and an RBI tonight, and when he and T returned home, we had a fine celebration.

Y'all, look at these mushrooms! I didn't use them tonight but plan to on Tuesday. Tomorrow night, two friends and I are going to hear Yotam (Ottolenghi) and Sami (Tamimi) speak, and I am totally grooved about it. I did, tonight, concoct a fabulous pasta dish for which I will work up a recipe to share. It was absolutely fabulous! Like, if I'd ordered it in a restaurant, I'd have been thrilled and later tried to recreate it at home.

Olive oil, eggplant, peperoncino, fennel, lots of chopped fennel fronds, lemon zest, salt-packed capers, dates, pecorino, sweet Italian sausage and pici. Mamma mia! The sweet elements in concert with the savory, the umami layered in with the salt and starches...Heaven.

Great class, a treat, RB&R

This morning's Canning Class at Twins Ace Hardware was terrific. Thank you to everyone who came out- it was wonderful to see some familiar faces and to meet new folks too. One attendee, who I've met three times now I believe, was at my cranberry sauce class last fall and let me know that she's already made her first batch for her family this year. They love it! I was so thrilled to think about Nanny's memory being passed around and shared in this way. Thanks also to Twins for hosting another great event. I had a ball and love my new apron; thanks, guys!!!

Since getting home, I've been working on a batch of red beans and rice, dosing more medicine to Ol (poor guy is still sick; strep test negative; ugh!) and happily spying my husband for the first time in days. We've been ships in the night lately, and I miss him. Date night tonight!

Did y'all read Gail Collins' Op-Ed in today's NYT? This paragraph is priceless. Priceless!!! I read it hours ago, and I still dissolve into giggles each time I scan it anew.

Incredible compliment, quiet evening

Today I received one of the loveliest compliments ever, from a dear friend of 19 years who is herself a writer; indeed, she's a two-time published author. Regarding yesterday's posts, she wrote: "Em, you have the most wonderful gift for making the ordinary sublime.  (And the sublime even more so.)  Today's writing simply sings."

People, I cannot tell you how much this observation and resultant appreciation mean to me! A truly sublime compliment, to be sure. Thank you, D!

I feel infinitely more relaxed now, having had several quiet hours alone. The house is tidier, the cheesecake and now-frosted chocolate cakes are in the deep freeze (chocolate ganache freezes beautifully) as are twelve pounds of  vacuum-sealed fresh salmon. I'm packed for my class, the dishwasher is humming, Nutmeg appears to have passed out next to his favorite hanging toy, Percy is snoring (literally), and I'm satiated after a beautiful, big salad of -not a spoiler!- kale, plus radicchio, avocado, tomato, apple, goat cheese and homemade croutons with my beloved garlicked-oil, lemon, and salt dressing. Perfetta! Bene, bene. Vado a letto. Buona notte!