Remember our friend who had lost so much weight that he frightened us? He stopped in this morning on his way to Altoona to say that he would be unable to make dinner tomorrow.
Altoona is a long haul from here. He had a 2:30 appointment. He would be hauling past on his way back home about 6. Tim and I had an appointment to meet at the notary's office to sign the truck over to his nephew, but we would be back home well before then, so I said, "so come tonight."
"Really?" he said.
It would be simple enough. I was making a pot of Rigmor's lentil soup. I had everything I needed on hand for that. I could chop and sautè, and toss it all in a crock pot. Easy enough. All I had to do was make some rolls.
He looked hopeful. "Could we have corn bread?"
"That is even easier," I said. "I will make corn bread." He had brought two butternut squash. I said, "Do you like squash? I can bake one of those if you want."
He did want.
So after he got on the road, I assembled my soup. For the dessert, I figured a high protein vanilla custard. It would be a good way to use up the left over whipped cream from the pumpkin pie. I put the bowl in the fridge to cool, and cleaned the kitchen.
There were no knife accidents today. (Yay me!)
He showed up at 6, and we all had a leisurely supper.
Before he left, I was able to pin him down to another meal. I think he was embarrassed, but I started simply planning the meal. "Chili or cheesy cream of potato?"
He hesitated. "Boy...I haven't had a good bowl of potato soup in a long time..."
"Potato soup it is, then. I will make another pan of corn bread for you. Do you want me to make that other squash?"
He agreed that would be nice. He worried about being a bother, but it really isn't any harder to make a meal for three than it is to make a meal for two. I said, "well the fact is, I have made up my mind to put some meat on your bones. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. The easy way is just to go along with me so I don't get mean. Ask Tim."
Tim laughed. So did he. He took his bag of leftovers. "What time should I come then?"
I love this! What a kind and caring gesture. And the food sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteThat lentil soup was good, good stuff. (Thanks Rigmor!)The recipe for the cornbread was a new one but very good. Tim liked it a lot. You can't really screw up squash. Custard is just easy, although it has been years since I made it. (Tim does not like puddings.)
DeleteIt's almost 1am, I got up to get a drink of water and why did I check this out, now my stomach is grumbling! Love me some lentil soup and REALLY love homemade potato soup. Very nice of you to feed your friends, Deb. Sure wish I lived closer haha :^)
ReplyDeleteIt is a good project. To be honest, when Tim and I first met, he had been on his own for 8 years. He seemed to live on hotdogs and taco bell. He also had a large engine part in his living room that he was working on. He very much likes someone else putting meals together for him.
DeleteWhat great friend you are. Everyone needs a Debby in their life. And the food sounds great
ReplyDeleteSome people just need a hobby! You have you textile arts. I feed whatever walks up the driveway.
DeleteYou are amazing! Well done for not accepting a no to another visit.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely thing to do and you make it all sound so apparently effortless.
I also love the image at the bottom of your post - that totally sums up the way I am feeling a bit too often lately. I have copied it and posted it on our work chat page - hopefully most people will get a giggle but still be aware that there is an element of truth in it.
It really isn't any harder to feed 3 people than it is two. I just spent time reading about nutrition.
DeleteOh well done. That man clearly needs a Debby in his life - if only to keep him drawing breath! The food sounded great, though I would pass on the potato soup. I struggle with that, texture wise.
ReplyDeleteTim hates pudding for that very reason.
DeleteI like a man who knows that there is no use in arguing with a determined woman : )
ReplyDeleteI think a hungry person just puts up less of a fight! Really though, it is more about handling it with humor.
DeleteCaring and sharing xx
ReplyDeleteIt has always been important. It still is. It always will be. It is the backbone of humanity.
DeleteWell done you, perfect good food good company.
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasant evening.
DeleteFriends again over food. A happy outcome.
ReplyDeleteYou know, last night he once again began holding forth on his thoughts on (of all things) the second amendment. Tim and I got very quiet. He trailed off and there was an awkward silence. Then he began to talk about the cat. I hope his politics don't rear its head again. It is why he stayed away for years the last time. There are so many things to talk about. We just need to side step those topics.
DeleteOh that's just brilliant - I was so afraid he would cancel but you turned that around. He came with gifts to balance your hospitality. .
ReplyDeleteA good start to my day to read this.
He is very concerned about repaying. It is important to give him that. I am like that myself.
DeleteBless you for your kindness. We need so much more of that in this country.
ReplyDeleteOh it is a two way street. It makes us both glad to see him eating.
DeleteOh, potato soup, I just bought 5 lbs of potatoes yesterday. I think I will make me a bit of soup with the small ones. You are such a kind person Debby. Anybody who knows you is very lucky. Gigi
ReplyDeleteLol. Not everyone would agree with that.
DeleteWhat a lovely generous gesture and well appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHe did appreciate it. He said so. That was nice of him.
DeleteSimple but good hearty food, made for sharing, wish I lived nearer.
ReplyDeleteSoup is my favorite thing about cold weather. I have quite a repertoire of recipes. I like the preparation and chopping and the best part is letting the crock pot simmer away. The house smells great. Some sort of bread to go with, and you have a meal.
DeleteYour facility in the kitchen is both impressive and bewildering.
ReplyDeleteI can make a lot of soup.
DeleteYou're a force of nature!
ReplyDeleteLol. Slightly less destructive than a tornado or a flood!
DeleteThat's nice of you.
ReplyDeleteDoing a nice thing improves the lot of the gift and the giver, I think. The more you give, the richer your life becomes.
DeleteI'm making a pot of chili today! Cornbread, too!
ReplyDeleteOh boy! I have a really good corn bread recipe: 1 c flour, 1/2 c corn meal 1 tbls baking powder and 1/2 cup sugar. Combine dry ingredients. In a different bowl, combine 4 tbls melted butter, 2 eggs, 3/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Add to dry ingredients. Bake at 350. Serve hot out of the oven with butter.
DeleteThat last photo made me laugh out loud. What an excellent description. I'm not so different:)
ReplyDeleteI think most of us are kind of like that.
DeleteI love this one too, and how nice he's come along just as you need another project! It's cool and rainy and blustery here, I'm thinking taco soup.
ReplyDeleteWell...I will always have cats. 😒
DeleteYou are so generous!
ReplyDeleteIf a gaunt, hollow eyed man showed up at your door, I have a hunch that you and Dave would be no different. Most people would, I think.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad he came for a meal and will be coming back. (Hopefully no political disagreements in future.) Made me smile to know you fed him well! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope that was a one off 'testing the waters' sort of comment to see if we have come to our senses.
DeleteYour soup sounds delicious. I have never had lentil soup, but I have never met a soup I didn't like. Mr Merry is not a soup fan (how do we even stand each other!). I made a pot of oyster chowder and just finished it today. All by myself, lol. It is hard to make a small batch. I am a feeder person, too.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a generous person! I really respect that.
Coming from you, I will take that as the supreme compliment. I am in awe of the work that you and your group do. I really respect you for that.
DeleteYou are most kind in such a difficult world. Yep, I think I'm a polite grenade too. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteLet us all be kind in this difficult world. It has never been so important as it is now.
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