An Early Winter Storm

Winter, which officially starts down here in a week and a half, came early. This has happened with all of the last few seasons but I’m never prepared for the sudden onslaught in freezing temperatures and endless rain. Muddy, slippery ground is hard slog to walk on and it’s also got a covering of half decomposed leaves and an assortment of gum tree bark sheaths that are 8 feet long, along with sticks and branches recently broken or pruned and left to their own devices that fly around in the wind and land everywhere. These itinerant bits and pieces fall randomly when we’re asleep and then we discover them blocking our passage the next day. No matter how many times I rake or pick them up, the following day has a new selection to wade through. So rather than have a real day with getting dressed in the icy conditions, I spent the morning and part of the afternoon cooking a few things for the next few days’ meals. Tonight we’re having my own concoction of meaty spaghetti sauce with slices of mozzarella melting into the sauce on top with parmesan accents and lightly sautéed mushroom slices to add in a while. I won’t bother to mention the other ingredients I put into the pot, as there’s so many. Oh, maybe I will. Diced onions sautéed with minced garlic, diced celery and grated carrot, a splash of fresh orange juice and a touch of sugar is added to the store bought pasta sauce base and a tin of Italian tomatoes, that were diced, but often are whole. First I crumble the prime ground beef, called mince here, while browning it, then sauté the vegetables although today I just did them first and moved them to the side of the pot when I added the beef and voilà. After an hour of cooking on a low flame I serve it over the spaghetti with a little more olive oil for John, along with some grated parmesan on top and a sprinkling of raw minced garlic.

When we’re finished with our delectable meal I figure our breath could launch a thousand ships or repel all werewolves, witches and vampires that just might knock on our door. You just never know who might appear on a dark and stormy night, so we’ll be prepared for any malevolent intruders.