Monday, November 22, 2010

Yesterday I needed five things

that I can only buy at Whole Foods. Butterworks Farm  (the only yogurt I eat unless it is an emergency), organic this and that (Miss Emma is coming for T-giving and eats only organic food. Of course, my kosher turkey isn't organic - but close enough), organic meat for Marty and me because I don't want those hormones and god-knows what else, and Farmer Stoopnagel's local  organic, cage-free eggs that have a hand-written sell-by date on the egg carton.

To keep this art-related, here is my sketch of the yogurt carton. Now you know why I don't draw. I could have erased the unfortunate lines with a vintage Pink Pearl eraser but they are packed away because the painter is here.

I get home with 200 bags of stuff ( and find that Marty, bored without my presence, has gone to bed for the night).  So, martini and steak for me, all alone:-(

 But what about ice??? You know my ice situation -- and deciding on a new icemaker is another (boring) saga.  In desperation, I turned on the fridge icemaker - but I can't use those horrible, bulky big cubes in my drink. The blender doesn't chop ice very well, either.

Lightning Ice Cube Breaker to the rescue!!

I bought this somewhere a few years ago, before we redid the kitchen and put in the late icemaker. Used it for a while, then put it on the kitchen shelf with a few other vintage items. Last night, took it down again. There was apparently a square green Depression Glass ice-catcher, long gone. I use a glass.

In went the big, ugly ice cubes from the  freezer.
Works a treat, even if the ice tastes a bit rusty.
In went a couple of these wonderful lemon and garlic-soaked olives I had bought for Thanksgiving (will they last?)

Isn't it lovely?  Went great with the steak.  I was happy, despite eating alone.
I did go visit my mother yesterday and took her picture with my iPhone, which she was admiring and wondering if she should have one. (the answer was NO).  I showed her the picture on the phone and she was horrified at how she looked, but I thought it was a nice picture, considering. She looks a bit wistful.
On that note, I shall end Monday's recap of Sunday's non-adventures.  Now, breakfast and then to work!!

P.S.
I can't keep my blog art-related these days 'cause there isn't any art happening -but that will change, eventually.  Thanks for reading anyway - and remember - your comments make my day.

P.P.S - I urge you to spend some time reading Trav and Kacy Williams' compelling and moving posts about America's small farmers (the farms are small, not the farmers - but you know what I mean) on the blog I referenced at the top of this post. Trav and Kacy are young and beautiful and travel around the country finding these amazing people and interiewing them.You simply must go there -- even if you just read this post about Henry Young.


10 comments:

Linda Branch Dunn said...

My grandparents had an ice cruncher like that, on the wall, just inside the door to the basement. It was a forbidden object, of great fascination to a little kid.

There was also black wallpaper in the guest bathroom, with poodles in pink and white en faissant la toilette.

An finger towels. Finger towels with little 3-d poofy scottie dogs on the edges. Rayna, you've got me time traveling.

Eva said...

Ice? What is that? Something I walk over in winter, okay...
No kidding, ice is not part of my diet, not in drinks nor food. There were a few years when friends who came into my kitchen said: "Your fridge door is open" and I replied, it is broken." -- "How long has it been?" -- "Two years or so." Well, at that time I cooked fresh food from the Turkish shops at the corner, I bought most of it daily and did not use much food that might go bad. --
The farmers' stories are fascinating! I read more than the recommended one. I agree with the barefoot farmer on the return of small structures. We need that.

Gerrie said...

I have never known any one with an ice fetish like yours!! Our GE Monogram fridge dispenses lovely cold water, ice cubes and crushed ice. No need for a separate ice maker.

Patricia said...

You cracked me up when I got to the drawing. Tell the truth now - one hand held the pencil and the other gripped the martini, right?

Eldrid said...

I Have a freind who made me promise if she is hospitalized or in a home I would make sure she has ice oh and no bannanas..

Marianne said...

Toujours très impressionnée de la consommation de glace de votre pays, chez nous c'est très rare est seulement en été, mais votre broyeur est une magnifique antiquité, bien aimé la démonstration et c'est j'espère comme Patricia que c'était bien pour un martini

Libby Fife said...

No effort is too big for a proper martini:)

Rosemary@semo.net said...

Your mother is lovely. I think it's a beautiful photo, that captures her character, love, and intelligence.

Emmie said...

A martini and steak sounds scrumptious. Wish I could have joined you!! HaHa I just heard on the news this evening that the average person eats 4000 calories for Thanksgiving dinner. So we had fried rice this evening in anticipation of all those calories tomorrow!

Del said...

I check every day - several times - and still no new post. I hope it means you are just happily slogging along through Thksgvg and not that you are distressed or ill. Love the ice crusher tale. I am a no-ice person and have to write myself a note if someone that needs ice will be visiting. I'll make a note about your need. I bookmarked the blog about farmers, but am deep in the SQG newsletter (only five more after this one) and cannot let myself be distracted. Love ya!

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