Grilled swordfish, last night's risotto (better!), a pie for two

This afternoon was a beautiful one, and we spent a while at the boys' school's Spring Festival. We all enjoyed seeing so many friends, and Jack even gave me a tour of "the ditch" in which he and one of his good buddies spend many a recess "excavating quartz" and generally making life miserable for all the ants they encounter. The "ditch" is really just the downward slope of the grassy edge around the playground. It's up to a few feet deep in spots and full of fabulous tree roots; I can see why they enjoy it, and our hand-in-hand tour made me smile. Once home, we caught the Kentucky Derby -is the horse not a most magnificent creature? Stunning, elegant, all muscle, grace on legs! Go California Chrome- read a book (Lost & Found by Oliver Jeffers; have you read it? It's beyond dear.) and put the very tired sweeties in bed.

When J and I were at the store earlier today, the fish department had a huge swordfish from which they were slicing fresh chunks. I picked up a pound which T cubed, marinated and made into kabobs which he then grilled. We served those alongside last night's risotto which, once rewarmed, was much improved, really to my surprise. You don't often hear of risotto that gets better with age! Of course I made a damn kale salad. Friend C recently told me I was sure to become a large head of kale one day; coming from Ms. almost-Vegan (she is one of my best friends but I think even she, as an almost-vegan) doesn't eat near the amount of kale I do), I took this as a real sign of just how public my ardor for kale is. ;)

I'd also gotten a small strawberry-rhubarb pie into the oven and it emerged just before we sat down to eat, meaning that when dessert time came, our little pie was cooled to the perfect degree of warmth and quite ready to be devoured. I bought this pie plate when I cooked for the Grands and thought wistfully of them tonight when I used it. I'll have to pay a visit very soon!

Kinda snoozy Saturday

We've been both busy and lazy today: Tae Kwon Do and Ikea alongside lazing about in the yard and watching Myth Busters. I can deal with this mix! From the second I woke up this morning -5am! Thanks a lot you stinking cat!- I knew I had to make muffins. Had to have them. So I browned some butter and made strawberry muffins with just a hint of cardamom. While at Tae Kwon Do, Jack was seized with a yen for salted salmon-stuffed onigiri (Japanese rice balls) so after class we went a got the makings for it. Thank god it's something other than pesto pasta- his study of Japan in school is prompting all kinds of goodness and various interests.

Ol and I enjoyed salads with greens just plucked from our VegTrug, and I spent a nice while in the chaise lounge pretending to read but really just watching cat-on-a-leash pounce around and snapping pictures. I am thrilled that a bird family has made a nest under our deck. It's very shabby-chic, yes?

The past 24 and a risotto

Last night, some middle-aged dude in an Infiniti rear-ended me as we both attempted to exit the miserable parking lot of the Whole Foods on River Road. He hit me hard, really hard, and my neck and shoulders have not been thankful recipients since. My bumper looked fine, so I hope it actually is thus. I just didn't have the energy to deal with another hassle, especially of the automotive type. Hoping another good night of sleep will relax my platysmal muscles and let me forget this irritation. Today was a whirlwind of meetings, phone calls, drop-offs, pick-ups and I built a desk for Ol's room. Until three days ago, he had a retro kitchen in that spot. It was full of pot holders and ingredients, special pans and accouterments; my darling little sous. But then he said, "Mom, I have work to do. I need a desk." And really, what could I say? He's a man with a plan, so today we built a desk.

And then he asked for a rolling chair, and I said "No" because A) it's excessive and B) rolling chairs don't work on carpet, and then we were at a Mom- 5yo impasse, and I gave up for a few hours. Bygones.

T got home, put the boys to bed, and I started in on a risotto idea on which I'd been noodling all day: corn, corn stock, ramps, walnuts and pecorino. It wasn't amazing but it was solid and new; I've been terribly bored lately, just waiting impatiently for the season to actually change so that new ingredients will be at my disposal. I simply must shut the door on certain things for a while -oranges, apples, mushrooms- so that when they inevitably roll around again, I can greet them eagerly, like a long-lost friend.