My Husband's Italian Wedding Soup

October 30, 2009

Last week Monday, the 19th, I pulled a muscle in my back and was out of the office for the entire week. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my vacation days but I couldn't even sit in a chair without having tears of pain roll down my cheeks. On top of that, Roger's birthday was coming up on Thursday, 10/22, and I had made reservations at Commis for that Saturday. There was no way I could make it through the evening sitting upright. It was time for Plan B!

Plan B was for Roger to make dinner and have a few really good friends over. Wait...what?!? The Birthday Boy was going to do the cooking and entertaining? It seemed a little unfair at the time he made the suggestion, but I was in no position to argue. I agreed. I sent out an email Wednesday night thinking at such short notice our friends wouldn't be able to make it. Everyone said yes!

As the day got closer my grand schemes of making a whole bunch of things from scratch began to fall to the wayside. After a week of being in pain I came to realize that 1) I'm not in my 20's anymore; 2) I'm not Superwoman or Martha Stewart and 3) Don't sweat the small stuff. Cupcakes were going to be made Duncan Hines and everything except for the soup was going to be something that could be served cold or heated in the oven. The only thing I made from scratch was the Ranch and Green Goddess Dressing (courtesy of Cook's Illustrated).

We had simple bites for appetizers (nuts, salt and pepper chips and mushroom turnovers - all from Trader Joe's) and assorted sodas to start things off. The main course was the Italian Wedding Soup from The Barefoot Contessa; served with a simple green salad with my homemade dressings and two kinds of bread - Olive and a Pugliese. The soup was delicious! Roger was afraid that the soup would be too salty but I think it was just right. The meatballs were great and glad that he made them tiny. You got a little bit of meatball in every bite and you didn't have to bother with cutting them up to be bite size - they already were. The cupcakes were yummy and much better than the dry ones I had bought at Whole Foods. Sometimes fancy cupcakes aren't necessarily the best.

The party was a success and I think our guests went home with full bellies. Thanks to Bill, Jim, Jean, Tony, Peter and Felix for contributing to a fun evening for the Birthday Boy and Old Injured Lady.

What's on my Nightstand

Sorry for the bad picture but here's what I'm currently reading (or trying to get through).

My friend Lee has loaned me two books - The Martha Rules and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Martha's in my handbag so I have something to read on my commute. The other book has been a very slow start. However, from what I have read so far of the Larsson book, I have to agree with Lee's conspiracy theory that there may have been foul play in the author's untimely death. HMMMMM.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames - My sister, Liv, was sweet enough to go to Powells and get an autographed copy for me. Since David Sedaris loves his fans he takes the time to meet and chat with every person that shows up to his book signings. Liv waited patiently to meet him and in the hours that she waited, read the entire book. There was no need for her to get a copy for herself so she told David Sedaris the book was for her sister (me) and that I was a Leo (which I'm not). So now I have an inscription for the incorrect astrological sign but he did spell my name correctly. I'm on the last story so I just have a bit to go. It was a great commuter book and I found myself laughing out loud quite a bit. Being on public transportation, my outburst of laughter was not looked upon as a threat or even that odd.

Fannie Flagg - OK so I can't believe I read this myself, but I have this fascination with Southern life - and I don't mean hill-billy life. It's the small towns; close community; the funny, pragmatic look on life; foods that sound interesting that I may or may not want to try; and they have the funniest sayings. For example: This is what you say to a woman who finds herself with an unwanted pregnancy "Well if you don't want butter, you have to stop churning". So true.

The Stranger by Sarah Waters - I loved this book. This is a book you read on a cold, dark and windy night. I don't want to give too much away but it's about a family that lives in an old mansion that has been in the family for hundreds of years. The story is told from the point of view of the family doctor who may or may not be a reliable source. There are ghosts (who may or may not be friendly), people going mad, paranoia, and a tiny bit of romance. This is a great gothic tale. The author has written a few other books (Tipping the Velvet, The Fingersmith) that I've been interested in reading. This is her latest and it was short listed for the Booker Prize. I'm sorry that she didn't win but I'm sure she has many other stories in her and that she will one day be honored.

Martha Stewart's Cookies - I love this book and will need to buy this for myself. I hope to get this before the holidays so that I can make a few treats for Christmas. I'm interested in making shortbread and crispy and crumbly cookies. Let's see what family and friends will get this year.

As you can see, I have a few books from the library since it is not in my budget to buy new books all the time. I'm fortunate to have friends who will loan books to me, but when I can't borrow from them I just walk down to the Alameda Library. I'm a big supporter and encourage everyone to get a card and check out their local libraries.