Compass

After the events in Paris this week, I have been thinking about my personal compass. How do we orient ourselves in a world which, at times, is so unpredictable, so violent, so incomprehensible?

I remember when my husband and I first began dating he once gave me a small plastic compass with words he composed on finding one's true north in life. I remember how romantic the gesture was and am reminded how true his words ring even today. Just last week, I read the following in a caption below a photo in the book Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton which my older daughter gave me for Christmas and I absolutely LOVE:

To the world you may be one person but to one person you may be the world.

My compass always points me first and foremost to my husband and girls, to love and its power to transform. I am fortunate to know deep intimacy that provides security when life seems uncertain and confounding. I can return home and find comfort at NOLD as the world keeps spinning. I can grapple with news and knowledge with others in a way that evokes empathy and leads to deeper understanding rather than fear and insularity. Could anything be more necessary this century in challenging times?

Of course, a good meal always nurtures good relationships and fosters good conversation. So, I return to the kitchen, to comfort food. Let me share a recipe that may use up any leftover mashed potatoes (which you can freeze in two cup portions) from the holidays and warm not only the body but also the soul on a cold January evening. You can prepare it ahead of time, cover tightly, and refrigerate until ready to bake -- just be sure to bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes until heated through.

Shepherd's Pie

2 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed (or 2 cups reserved mashed potatoes)

1 pound ground beef

¼ teaspoon ground allspice

Sea salt and ground black pepper

1 medium yellow onion, peeled and minced

½ teaspoon granulated sugar

2 cups shredded zucchini

¼ cup water

2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels

⅔ cup milk

½ cup shredded sharp cheddar

⅓ cup heavy cream

1. If not using reserved mashed potatoes, boil Russet potatoes in salted water until soft, about 15 to 20 minutes; then, drain. Set aside.
2. Place ground beef in a large heavy skillet at medium heat. Season with allspice and salt and pepper, to taste. Brown, stirring frequently, until just cooked through. Using a slotted spoon, transfer meat to a bowl.
3. Add onions to the same skillet. Sprinkle with sugar and cook on medium-low heat until golden brown and caramelized, about 15 minutes.
4. Add zucchini and water and saute on medium heat, scraping any brown bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Cook until zucchini is translucent and soft, having released its water.
5. Add ground beef and corn, combining thoroughly. Season to taste and heat through. Press mixture into a 9-inch pie plate
6. Transfer choice of potatoes to a large bowl. Mash or whisk the potatoes until completely smooth, adding milk, cheddar, and cream and seasoning to taste as you mash them. They will have a soft consistency. Spread potatoes evenly over meat mixture
7. Bake at 350˚F for 30 minutes, until heated through. Then, broil 3 to 5 minutes to brown top. Serve immediately.

Yield: 6 servings

Thaw

Today's frigid temperatures make it hard to believe, but the stream that runs along our property next to NOLD was flowing freely on Sunday as temperatures rose to 52 degrees Fahrenheit. You can take a very brief listen above.

Winter Color: Green Moss

I took a walk on the loop right around my neighborhood, stopping to listen to the streams and falls and snapping dozens of photos. I often think the world seems completely frozen in winter when our days are short and dark and below freezing with all manner of precipitation, turning the world and one's mood to shades of grey. 

Winter Color: Red Branches

When a substantial thaw descends for a day or two, I am reminded that nature is not sleeping but preparing to burst forth as soon as it receives ample sunlight. I simply need to take the time to look for nature's signs that all is well and progressing, sometimes a bit too quickly in fact. 

Winter Color: Blue Skies

On Sunday, I took the time to stop and stare, to uncover the beauty in the landscape, and to note instances of startling color. Let me share a few small finds as testament to the day and to the fact that second by second the days are getting longer.

Magnolia Bud

I was so appreciative of the experience and leisurely pace that I still feel renewed a few days later as the temperatures dip below zero. William Henry Davies understood well that the best antidote to feeling overwhelmed and oppressed, especially in winter, may be the greatest gift of nature, if one only takes the time to see it.

Red Bud

Leisure 

William Henry Davies

What is this life if, full of care
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.