Leftovers

It was sparklingly pretty outside as the sun rose on our hill garden after a night of rain. I wasn't able to capture the drops suspended from everything and sparkling in the sun but the light was nice.

There were lots of people at Acre Coffee this morning decompressing, perhaps, from several days of family time, some of it in close quarters as the rain came down outside. There were carolers in Dickensian costumes taking up our favorite place outside, but we found a lone table around the side of the building...just as well as I'm just not quite ready for Christmas carols yet...just 24 more hours, and I'll be ready to leap into Christmas mode....

With that in mind we went to the Urban Tree Farm where we bought a second grevillea to join the one OilMan planted yesterday in the space under the kitchen window vacated by the agaves. I do like agaves but in moderation or at least in relative isolation as they are fiendishly prickly.  A wickedly spiky plant next to the front stairs doesn't seem very...well, welcoming.

Tired of turkey and ham, Jim is making a stew this evening and I am making another kale salad from the huge bag that was left in our refrigerator. I think I have more recipes for kale than I do for anything else. It is claimed to be little short of a miracle: high in fiber, antioxidants, iron and vitamin  K. It is anti-inflammatory, high in vitamin C and calcium and...(trumpet fanfare) a great detox food. It is on every menu in every restaurant. I'm not particularly fond of it especially since it tends to attract aphids in every nook and cranny when homegrown, but it is sturdy and can be easily carted around to potlucks and parties, even with dressing on. If there are leftovers, and there inevitably are, it will taste better (or at least no worse) the next day.

Tonight's version has avocados, crumbled feta , pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds, red onion and parsley. It is a combination of everything left behind in our refrigerator...except for the wheel of brie and the untouched wedge of gorgonzola....