Spectacular Sunday morning

It is such a beautiful day today; chilly enough for a light sweater and jacket but sunny and crisp. Oliver and I went to the farmers market together for the first time in weeks which was such a treat. Apples are everywhere, romanesco cauliflower has arrived in all its Euclidean glory, the carrots are spectacular, and I splurged on a carton of irresistible mushrooms. We felt inspired!

I'm taking the boys to Imagination Stage, a local children's theater, to see Lulu and the Brontosaurus in a couple hours, and Jack has a baseball game later. I think we're going to screen a movie right now- a good break for all.

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!