Back To The Kitchen, Back To The Nineties

Here is the soup that I probably should have waited a day or so to make as it's not yet cold but will be soon. I mean, it's chilly. For us. But we are still far about the twenties when it comes to temperature. In fact, it was a beautiful, sunny, moderately cool day. However, I fed my sourdough starter last night and I had a small piece of leftover pork roast from when Mr. Moon grilled a few days ago, and of course the garden is bountiful in its greens right now. And I still have some sweet potatoes that I've harvested. 
So about nine-thirty this morning I began the bread process, mixing starter with flour and water and letting that sit for an hour or so and I picked collards and kale and mustards and turnip greens with a few turnip roots. I cut up onions and lots of garlic which is how I start almost all of my soups. I diced up the meat and washed my greens three times and started a broth. Soon it was simmering away with sweet potatoes, tomatoes, the onions, garlic, turnip roots, and greens. I knew I wanted some beans in the soup so I had started some garbanzos earlier and when they were almost done, I added them in. 

And now I've just added one of the squash I got at the farmer's market yesterday and I've also added some parmesan rinds because for whatever reason, I have not been spice-inspired with this soup so decided to add some cheese which makes everything better. 
Am I right? 

The bread is rising nicely, the oven is preheating with my dutch oven in it and we shall see how it all turns out. The bread has oat bran in it and the soup has all those beans and vegetables so at least it'll be a fiber-filled, Fuck You Jay Leno meal. 
I shouldn't say that. Jay can eat whatever he wants for a meal as can anyone. 

Perhaps my New Years resolution is actually to be more empathetic towards others. I don't know Jay's background. Perhaps his mother used to try and stretch one can of Campbell's soup to feed a family of four and that's why he has such negative feelings about soup as a meal. 
Who knows? Not me.

So I'm still listening to the Barbra Streisand book. I've only got seven more hours before I'll be bidding her good-bye. I have to tell you that it's not a bad book. I've learned a lot about the process of getting a movie made. I've learned a lot about Ms. Streisand's many lovers. I've learned that Barbra has not thrown away a good review or a complimentary note in her entire life. I've learned that she has suffered from crippling stage fright. I've learned that her mother was...eh. Not the greatest. I've definitely learned that four and two are her lucky numbers and also that she believes in signs and omens and the presence of angels in her life. 
So, it's all pretty interesting and yes, there are times that I've been listening to it when I've thought, "Oh, Jesus, Barbra. Yes. We know you're amazing and beloved and talented and strong and funny. But then, because it's an audio book, a bit of her singing will be inserted into the narration and honestly- her gift is undeniable. I sort of want to go out and search the thrift stores for her albums and bring them home to play on my beautiful stereo. 
As for her gift as a director, well...maybe. She does love making films and she absolutely gives it her all. And I do believe that her directorial achievements have been ignored by the Academy of Motion Pictures because she's a woman. 

Now. On to the last thing I want to discuss tonight. 
How many of you look at this picture and wish with all of your heart that you could go back and watch Northern Exposure again? 

Do any of you, upon hearing this music yearn desperately to hear Marilyn's soft, wise voice, Chris In The Morning's show on KBHR, Maurice Minnifield's pompous pronouncements, Shelly's and Holling's relationship revelations, Ed's cinematically informed wisdom? And yes, even Joel's cocky, self-sure, blessedly ignorant thoughts on everything? 

Well, now you can. Amazon Prime has finally figured out how to jump through all the legal hoops to air the series again and I, for one, could not be happier. 

Mr. Moon and I have watched two episodes so far, and unlike Moonlighting, there is no need to excuse the sexism, hairstyles, and polyester on the times in which it was made. In fact, Northern Exposure was a show made way before its time and was a work of genius. Well, up until the last season, anyway. No need to discuss that now. 

So just wanted to give you a head's up about that. I am already thinking about specific episodes and wondering how I will view them now in my very late sixties, rather than in my late thirties, early forties. I am also very much looking forward to episodes that I may have forgotten but which have more to give me now that I am older. 
 

And oh- if you've never watched the series and have Amazon Prime, give it a whirl. What the heck? Why not? 

Love...Ms. Moon