Sunday, September 29, 2013

A Sunday Pop-in


Hi everyone!

Sorry I have been MIA the last few days - I had promised myself that I would complete the first draft of my second book before the end of September and so I have been locked in that little room I've shared with you working away like a beaver.  Thankfully, and happily, it is now complete and I am putting it aside for a month before I begin the first edit.  Lest you think that means I will slow down, well - nope.  I have a big October planned, putting together my new website, writing the backstory for my next novel and doing some edits of other work.  Oh yeah - I will also continue to send out the first one as well and I am looking at taking some courses.  There is no rest for the wicked! or is that for the optimistic?

Thanks so much for all your comments on home economics and cleaning.  It is so interesting to hear about everyone's experiences!

I wanted to share a special experience that Barry and I had last week.

On Thursday night, Barry and I had tickets for a fundraiser for our local theatre company, Theatre New Brunswick.  For four nights, The Last 5 Years was performed by Fredericton natives Natalie Roy and Tony LePage, two wonderfully talented performers who now live and work in NYC, pursuing their dreams of being successful working actors.  They are on their way.  Tony (who is the son of a friend of mine) is a featured performer in Rock of Ages on Broadway, Natalie has done a number of roles and will be featured in an upcoming episode of Kevin Bacon's The Following.

To say that these two are talented would be too grossly under-describe their talent.  For 80 minutes straight they performed the play, which is basically non-stop singing and chronicles the courtship and subsequent breakup of a married couple.

last5years

They are a beautiful, talented couple and I am convinced that it is only a matter of time before they make it big - they have the talent and the drive and most importantly, the charisma, to achieve their dreams.  We were lucky to get to see something special performed by individuals whom I think are the cusp of big things and I think everyone in the audience knew what a special treat it was.

Bravo Tony and Natalie and best of luck!  And if you are going to NYC, go see Tony in Rock of Ages!


Last night we went to a Thai dinner party, hosted by good friends of ours.  It was great fun and the food was wonderful.  The highlight for me, besides the good food and company, was lying down on my friend's Tempurpedic mattress!  I am starting to think about buying a new mattress in the next couple of years, so it was a great chance to try it out! 

What's up for today?  Well it is a gloriously sunny and warm fall day so we go for a drive this afternoon and then pick some apples.  Hmmmm... I love freshly picked apples!  And then I may make spaghetti and meatballs, using my favourite recipe by Ina Garten.  I may have shared this before, but it is worth sharing again!

Spicy Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti

2010, Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That?, All Rights Reserved
Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (1-inch diced) bread cubes from a round rustic bread, crusts removed
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 2 pounds ground turkey (85-percent to 92-percent lean)
  • 1/2 pound sweet Italian pork sausage, casings removed
  • 4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, finely chopped
  • 1 cup freshly grated aged Asiago cheese
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons good olive oil, plus extra for brushing the meatballs
  • 2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3 (24-ounce) jars good marinara sauce, such as Rao's
  • 2 pounds dried spaghetti, such as De Cecco
  • Freshly grated Parmesan (or Asiago) cheese, for serving

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.

Place the bread in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until the bread is in medium crumbs. Transfer the crumbs to a small bowl and add the milk. Set aside for 5 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the turkey, sausage, prosciutto, bread mixture, Asiago, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Lightly combine the ingredients with your hands. Add the 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the eggs, and stir lightly with a fork to combine.

With your hands, lightly roll the mixture into 2-inch-round meatballs and place them on the prepared sheet pans. Brush the meatballs with olive oil. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the tops are browned and the centers are completely cooked.

Pour the marinara sauce in a large, low pot, add the meatballs, and bring to a simmer.
Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the directions on the package. Drain and place the spaghetti in individual bowls, and top with 3 meatballs and lots of sauce. Serve with Parmesan cheese on the side.


I hope you have a wonderful day - see you tomorrow!  And stay safe out there!


 

25 comments:

  1. The meatballs sound delicious and I have not had great success with meatballs(yet),as mine always fall apart.
    I may try this recipe,as Ina's recipes usually come out nice.
    Enjoy your sunday!

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    1. Thanks Ina! These are amazing meatballs and if you follow the recipe exactly, there is no issue at all with them falling apart!

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  2. Yum to the meatballs, I am quite fond of a Barefoot Contessa recipe... but mostly well done on finishing Book number 2! It does sound like October will be busy for you. Fingers crossed the publishers all leap on the new book once you start shopping it around xx

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    1. Thanks Heidi! I don't know if publishers or agents hop on anything (or maybe just not mine!) but will keep persevering!

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  3. You've been so busy and it sounds like October is going to be a great month too. Go Wendy! Going to an apple orchard is one of my favourite things to do. Enjoy it!

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    1. Thanks Dani! I love an apple orchard, too and the colours of the leaves are absolutely spectacular right now! Barry is going flying this morning and we will go when he gets back, which is good, because I am tired this morning AND have all of my housework to do!

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    2. I've never been to an apple orchard, we have our own apple trees but I would love to do that - so American!

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  4. funny I was thinking to myself - wonder where Wendy is?? Glad you are buckling down - it is harvest season after all for all sorts of things. Good luck to the two actors - it's a tricky trade so they would do a little backwind as I am sure they are talented. But I have to say I think the tempur mattresses are a bit weird...I tried it and it was a no from me although the pillow seemed like a good idea but then my osteo said the arch was too high. Good luck on the edit!

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    1. Thanks Naomi! That is the issue with mattresses, isn't it? In an ideal world, one would be able to sleep in it for a night or two before buying!

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  5. SAUCY LADY Apple picking sounds perfect WMM, and safe landing to the frequent flyer! Sleep Country does let you use a mattress for 30 days and exchange for another brand-model if it doesn't suit you both.
    I must also get back to my own website in October so will use all your energy and ambition as motivation! Cleaning awaits here as well...

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    1. Oh get it all out of the way before the fun tomorrow! Hope you get to stay home for the blessed event!! I didn't know that about sleep country - not sure if there is one around here. The website will be an interesting experience - but you know I am a glutton for punishment and a sucker to learn something new!

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  6. 2nd book???? Well done you!
    I'm so impressed by your tenacity and discipline!
    I seem to have missed a very lively domestic debate, so will have to find some time to catch up. I don't have a domestic bone in my body. Luckily I married well ;-)
    Huge congrats on your second book! Xx

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    1. Thanks Ruth! Good for you for marrying well. There are many things I cannot do at all and I think one needs to complement one's self, not marry one's self!

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  7. Great to know you are on track with your writing. I so admire stage actors, it takes dedication to put up with grueling rehearsals, crazy hours and lots of rejection. To touch base with their roots is laudable. I love my Tempurpedic but do shop around as there are now many brands at different price points. You don't need the highest density (at a higher price) to get the benefits.

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    1. I think the rejection must be so hard for actors!! You couldn't help but take it personally!

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  8. WMM, you are a human dynamo, I am a human sloth. We have had 48 hours of sunshine! I have baked myself silly, now its just me, 5 flies, 3 wasps and a robin red breast in the house -robin will not leave the building, its all getting a bit fraught.
    Back to those north American screens!

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    1. Birds in the house scare the bejesus out of me!

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    2. Me too, he has dumped everywhere, I could wring his neck!

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    3. Too funny. You Tabs are the sloth, I am the slug. Once had a live squirrel in the house..very traumatic. Also a coon but he was very accommodating and simply sauntered out the door when asked.

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  9. I thought you may have put yourself on a schedule:). We are headed to New York in two weeks. Will be meeting Em for fall break. Unfortunately, I spent a small fortune on Book of Morman tix so will not get to see Rock of Ages..my how prices have escalated for show tickets. We are off to see UT Volleyball this afternoon and very much looking forward to the finale of Breaking Bad.

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    1. NYC - get ready! Love that you get to see BoM! Barry is so excited about breaking bad, too! I wish I was going to NYC this fall - I want to see Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig on Broadway!

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  10. Hi Wendy, I love your first paragraph, you are really buckling down to the writing. I too admire your discipline, it will certainly stand you in good stead.

    Your evening at the theatre sounds wonderful; how great to see these actors at the start of their careers.

    It's been such a lovely weekend - perfect autumn weather!

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    1. Hi Patricia - isn't it amazing????? I love this weather!!! Thanks for the support - it is nice to keep working at it!

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  11. Oh my Wendy! You have been really busy! I wish you all the best and hope you can get some rest. I have been traveling a lot, that is why I did not came regularly visiting you. As I am writing those words, I am on a train from Virginia where I have been spending the weekend visiting my very best friend. Take Care
    Steph

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  12. The recipe sounds delish! Congrats on finishing the second book, and I'm looking forward to reading about your October adventures. You are one busy lady! :)

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