fruits of Mankato, MN

I visited my grandparents in Mankato, MN a few weeks ago. We spent the day hanging out. This involved a trip to Panera Bread Company where my order of a kid's roast beef sandwich, RB in Panera shorthand, was mistaken for PB and I received a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, instead. I wonder how often that happens.

Grandma and Grandpa took me on a jaunt through the local Salvation Army. Mankato is a mecca of secondhand treasures- and I don't just mean my grandparents' house (though grandma has personally shown me her stash of elastics cut from old mens' undies that she hopes to someday find the perfect use for). I think Mankato's stronghold in the secondhand world has to do with a thriving assisted living community that requires a constant downloading of entire lives' worth of stuff. I returned to Minneapolis with a pair of white cowboy boots, a pink chiffon dress and a complete set of leatherworking tools. Unqualified success.

The G's also took me to Barnes and Noble, where Grandma confided that Grandpa can disappear for hours. She seemed concerned. I was not. One of the things I miss most about living in NYC is my frequent evening visits to Barnes and Noble, where I would regularly disappear for hours. The Mankato store did not disappoint. I leafed heavily through the latest issue of Craft magazine, in which I discovered some very inspiring ladies. Check out Domestic Construction and Valerie Hammond. I am mesmerized by Valerie's lithograph print dresses.

the power of now

Last year I read The Power of Now. I talk about it a lot and always feel sheepish. I imagine that people are just waiting for me to move out of earshot before sharing their glee at my recent descent into the New Age. I smell like patchouli to them. They watch my hands relative to my pockets for the first signs of emerging literature. I am that person.

Truthfully, the book simply had a few wise things to offer me. It then proceeded to reiterate them on every one of its 300+ pages. Despite this, I still have trouble explaining the concept. I recently gave my copy to a friend. I did this knowing full well that the book is all about timing. On a few days of a person's life, this book will mean something to them. On most days, it will read like the guy on the bus you shouldn't make eye contact with.

Here is a passage that I aim to live by:

'Accept- then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it. Make it your friend and ally, not your enemy. This will miraculously transform your whole life.'

sweet potato soup

I made this soup for cooking club last night. I think it is delicious and a perfect choice for the last day of below freezing temperatures. If you live in Mpls, that would be Wednesday. It is an adaptation from the Inn at Little Washington Cookbook by Patrick O'Connell. By adaptation, I mean I copied it down verbatim in shorthand in one minute's time.
adaptation = margin for human error


sweet potato soup

saute:
3 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon curry powder

simmer:
9 cups chicken stock
5-6 sweet potatoes, cubed
1/4 cup maple syrup
2-3 sprigs thyme
pinch cayenne
onion mixture from above

remove thyme sprigs and puree

add:
1 cup cream
1/8 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
salt & pepper