New Year's Dinner 01-02-21

Nothing special for New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.  I just don't do holidays anymore.  A wreath on the door for Christmas season and multiple flags for 4th of July.  I can't tell you why!  I just lost interest about a decade ago.  I think it is part of being old and deciding to just be my own person and do whatever I enjoy.  

I do enjoy going out for meals, but that isn't something I can do right now, so I prepare food to eat; minimal cooking - microwave, toaster oven.  Today I had the urge to eat something special so I ordered takeout from The Wild Artichoke in Yorba Linda.  I have always enjoyed their food, which is rather pricey, and have picked up take out a couple times in the last six months.  Tonight I called and ordered their special salmon with capers, risotto, and veggies.  KoKo and I drove over to pick it up at 5pm, rather early for me, but it just seemed like a good time.  Beautiful sunset driving home; flashing behind buildings and trees like a film strip.  

The picture doesn't do it justice - much more colorful. 

But very delicious and enough for two meals for me, so I will enjoy the other half tomorrow evening. 

 

I ordered carrot cake for my neighbor, Mark-to-the-South, because he does love it.  I don't think it will be as tasty as the carrot cake from Katella Deli in LBeach, but I can't currently drive over there.  I delivered it to Mark when we went for our evening walk and he told me he has had the first of the two vaccinations.   He retired from the hospital where he maintains and repairs equipment, but they keep calling him back part time.  He'll have his second shot soon.  He says that some of his fellow employees are declining the vaccine,  They seem to want to see how effective it is with other people.  DUH!  

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Meyer Lemons 01-08-0

I've lived in Southern California for over fifty years and have never quite adjusted to seeing lemons and oranges ready to pick in January. Both types of citrus can produce a huge crop if the year has been a good one. My neighbor Mark (-to-the-South) has one Meyer lemon tree which provides both of us with lemons. I don't know what he uses them for, but he is very generous and gives me as many as I can use... and sometimes more. He loves lemon bars, so I usually make him some and there are several lemon cookie recipes which make him smile! I think the best thing to do with a bumper crop is to grate off some peel and freeze by the teaspoons full, then squeeze the lemons and freeze by the half cup in baggies. Those portions seem to work for almost anything that I make. One of my favorite lemony treats is lemon curd to eat on biscuits - or anything else that is handy. If there is nothing handy one can always just eat the curd by the spoonful. Curd does not keep well, so better to make it up fresh with the frozen peel and juice. The other day Mark hung a large bag of lemons on my doorknob - guess he has a yearning for lemon bars. So, tomorrow I make lemon bars. Maybe two batches, since I like them as well, as does Corky's daddy.

I may have to work in stages as I still go to sleep unexpectedly. However, I proved today that it is the inhalers that make me drowsy - maybe I can just time them well.

Typo corrected! It is Meyer lemon. Sorry.