MARTHA AVENUE- Day 31- A very good, very full day. Woke early and let my meditation time be a longer snooze on the couch. Hit the ground running with cookies to bake off, potatoes for the gnocchi to bake, sourdough to proof. Willi finished the Ragu and filled a bunch of jars with that rich, yumminess, and then got to work on the 9 (!) orders of pappardelle and the gnocchi.
Part way through the morning, the mail carrier tossed a package over the fence addressed to me. Inside was a present from Nancy...two super cute MARTHA AVENUE monogram aprons! I wore mine for all my deliveries today and felt very fancy.
Next delivery was from UPS and was the cast iron dutch ovens that I have been waiting for from Lodge. I had ordered a couple a few weeks ago to help alleviate the hours and hours of time my poor oven is set to 500 degrees. By baking several loaves at once, I am hoping to keep the oven happy and the sourdough orders filled. I had ordered 1 quart ovens, using the measurements listed on their site, but when they arrived, they were the tiniest, cutest, but not helpful little dutch ovens ever. I called the company, explained my dilemma and they told me to keep the little ones and that they would send out the 2 quart models for me asap. So kind, so helpful. If you are in the market for cast iron anything, check out Lodge! We actually visited the factory store when we drove my dad's stuff back to North Carolina in February (remember February? When we were simply worried about getting back from a road trip in time to start rehearsal on 9 to 5 with Jennifer and Mark and the rest of the gang?) The Lodge factory store is a marvel of cast iron pots and pans and campfire gadgets. I didn't buy anything while we were there because I was overwhelmed with all the choices. But NOW, I have four new cast iron pots, in two different sizes. Maybe I will have to start offering sourdough in smaller loaf sizes... perfect for solo diners! Would anyone want to order one?
Our frenzied morning gave way to the rush of getting our orders out the door. I think today was one of our largest, with 12 total orders, 3 in SF, the rest spread all over the East Bay. Brian picked up from the house and the rest were delivered to folks at home. First stop was Roberta, who left me a little nougat candy present in her box of returned jars, then to Noe Valley to drop a few masks off to Erin and Nick and Sam, and then off to Martinez to see the Debs... Deborah Black and Deborah Del Mastro. Such a pleasure to get a glimpse of these lovely theatre folks. Stopped by the Potter-Weiss house to drop off their weekly order, pick up jars, chat with charming Eleanor and accept her offer of a delicious cinnamon-roll cupcake. Nothing, but nothing is harder to resist than a cupcake offered by a toddler. Nothing. Reader, I ate every crumb.
Next down to San Leandro to drop off to Domenique, to Alameda to Ramona, to Oakland to deliver to Heppy Myra and Sharon, who once again spoiled me rotten with a bundle of gorgeous herbs from her garden. (We have been using them in our cooking, but tonight I used some in the outdoor tub for my late night bath as well. Willi joked about adding peppercorns and bayleaves to my bath as well, but it was really lovely to smell the scent of sage and rosemary as well as the blossoms from the rose bush above the tub. Very decadent.)
Last group of deliveries included a stop to do a food trade with Bryan... Pozole and Cookies for his Lumpia and Adobo Chicken. I think we made an excellent trade. Then lastly, Brady for a good theatre touch-stone conversation that included macabre jokes and lots of supportive love, and a quick hello with Alexandra. Last stop was to have a quick visit with Scrumbly and his cat Petey.
During the drive I took the opportunity to check in with my old high school teacher, Dennis Brown, who lives up in Sonoma. We have a loose monthly date to have lunch and catch up, and it feel so frustrating not to be able to see him. I traded voice messages with Ken Ruta and had a nice long chat with Gaffney while I drove. It's amazing how much I miss my people. I am always a person who thrives on solitude, who gets energy from being alone and generally hermits when I get the chance. But now, having been removed from my theatre folk for this long, it is REALLY REALLY good to have these touch-stone moments. I will never take it for granted again.
Home finally around 8:30..ate some of Bryan's yummy Filipino food and climbed into the outdoor tub for some much needed R&R and moon-bathing. Full Moon tomorrow morning at 6:45am, so tonight is a good time to make those final wishes/intentions. Tomorrow we start releasing what we no longer need.
Menu for Friday has a NEW ITEM! Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Green Olive, Garlic and Lemon, and served with Couscous, slivered almonds and golden raisins.
Orders for Friday (SF Deliver) should be in by Thursday noonish. Orders for Monday (SF and North Bay Delivery) should be placed by Saturday night/Sunday morning.
For now, take good care of yourself, be kind and hug your people. And hug yourself (even if it feels awkward at first) for me. xoxo