Some Kind of Wonderful

Half of me wants to head up to bed and the other half of me wants to continue enjoying this fabulous day even longer.  Knowing me, sleep will win out soon.  But this has been only what one can call a perfect Friday!  I had my substitute orientation for Loudoun County today, which went well, albeit long.  In all honesty, the long part was my own fault.  We turned in paperwork when we entered and we were released with our paperwork in the same order we entered.  Because I am perpetually late, I was the last person to leave.  But realize, I wasn’t late.  I just wasn’t early.  And it appeared numerous other people must have arrived like 45 minutes early.  Overachievers.

Once I was released (with a lovely, TB test injection in my arm.  Get to go back on Monday to get it read.  Don’t see why I wouldn’t be negative.), I ran home and changed into jeans because my hose had run (does anyone else have an on-going battle with pantyhose where you always lose, because well, I do.) and my shoes weren’t being too nice anymore.  Then I headed back out to shop.  I had a few things on my agenda, but the personally most satisfying one was the library.  I haven’t belonged to a public library in years…decades possibly.  I was like a kid in a candy shop there today.  Books….for FREE!!!  This could become my new addiction.  After that, I hit up a few stores and also did some online shopping once home.  Other than a few little things, all of Justin and I’s shopping is complete.  I feel quite accomplished.

I haven’t mentioned on here much about my love of cooking and well, food in general.  Last weekend, when Mom was in town, we had dinner at Clyde’s at Willow Creek (in my opinion, the best Clyde’s).  I had rockfish but Mom had gnocchi with brown butter and vegetables.  It was amazing.  And I decided I wanted to recreate this amazing dish for Justin and I.  I also decided that I wanted to make gnocchi by hand, something I have never done before.  A new challenge!

I read a bunch of recipes and realized it may be a problem that I didn’t have a potato ricer but figured out I could make do with a cheese grater.  Anyway, 2 pounds of potatoes later, an egg and some flour, I had gnocchi (and a very messy kitchen!).

Dough:

Rolled out: (times 6)

Cut up:

A glass of wine was obligatory:

Done:

Mom’s dish at Clyde’s had the gnocchi pan fried.  I have only boiled gnocchi up until now but the flavor and texture from the pan frying was amazing.  Obviously a bit less healthy, but amazingly satisfying.

Frying in browned butter, bit of olive oil and garlic:

After this was done, I added the winter vegetables (turnips, carrots and rutabaga) that I had roasted along with some spices and herbs–parsley, celery leaf, sage and thyme.

Topped with some tasty fresh cheese.

I have to admit, this was one of the best meals that I have made in the longest time.  The gnocchi was heavenly and so were the vegetables.  I love putting in the effort and time cooking.  I get such comfort out of it and when what I make taste this good, it is even more rewarding!

After dinner, with our fully and satisfied bellies, Justin and I enjoyed watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  Because nothing says Christmas like Clark Griswald!

Time for bed.  Big day tomorrow–I have to get my house decorated for Christmas.  I’m beginning to feel like Scrooge due to the lack of cheer on my house! I also would love to go cut down our tree tomorrow but I think that is partly reliant on how the weather is supposed to be.  Snow or rain?  I can cut a tree in the snow, not so much in the rain!

Off to bed I go.  Sweet dreams!

To Smile.