Sunday

I woke up at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday. For some reason, the small of my back hurt like hell. Damn! I must have overdone something yesterday.

So, I slowly and carefully went through the Sunday morning routines after a cup of coffee and posting the Blog entry.

I was hungry (apparently beet greens are not that substantial a dinner). So, I made some sausage gravy. Sorry, Jake, but I just made a can of Grand’s biscuits instead of your magnificent homemade ones.

Breakfast was excellent! My friend B___ called and we caught each other up.

Then I finished watching the Sunday morning news shows, shaved and showered. I got dressed and went out back to check my traps. I really wasn’t expecting anything, but found a big dead rat. He managed to get out of the trap, but didn’t make it to the fence. I went back into the house and got on some latex gloves. I threw him into the field next door as a warning to other rats. Then I reset the trap.

It was sunny, so I checked on the crocus in Jake’s patio. They had just started blooming.

Back inside, I went out to the garage. I opened the door for more light and got back to work on the compound miter saw table. It took about another hour, but I got it put together. All that remained was to attach the saw. But, my back was hurting, so I took a break.

I took the Styrofoam covers off the rose bushes. I put out the birdbath. I put the gargoyle end onto the downspout. I set the frog in the tree garden. But, when I went to put up the birdhouse, I found the cleanout door on the back was missing.

I didn’t have any wood that thin to replace it with, so I cut a chunk of tin out of a coffee can. I pounded it flat, then cut it to shape. I bent the top end out a bit (so I could easily open it in the Fall). Then I hung it up.

I hung up the climbing gnomes and then decided that was enough. So, I buttoned everything up and went inside.

It was about 5:00 p.m. so I decided to make my Sunday supper. So, I started by making my mise en place.

I measured out two ounces of bread crumbs. I minced three cloves of garlic. I cut up enough fresh asparagus in 2-inch diagonally pieces to make 1 1/2 cups. I got out a cup of frozen peas and fine-diced 1/3 cup of sweet onion. I measured out one tablespoon of AP flour, 1/4 cup chicken broth, one cup of milk, three ounces of softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

I filled my pasta pot up and started heating the water. I used my 12-inch non-stick skillet and melted a tablespoon of butter in it. I added in 1/3 of the garlic and sautéed that for about a minute. Then I added in the breadcrumbs and sautéed them about another three minutes until they were toasted and a golden brown. I put them into a bowl and set them aside. I wiped out the pan and added a tablespoon of olive oil.

I salted the pasta water and then added 8 ounces of dried fettuccine. Once it re-boiled, I set a timer for 12 minutes. I added the asparagus and peas to a saucepan of boiling water. I cooked that for three minutes or so until crisp-tender. I strained them, rinsed them under cold water, drained them and set them aside.

I added the onions into the skillet and sautéed them about three minutes (until tender). Then I added the other 2/3 of garlic and sautéed that another minute or so. Meanwhile, I put the flour in a small bowl and gradually whisked in the chicken stock. I added that and the milk in to the skillet, whisking constantly as I brought it to a boil. I reduced the heat and cooked it a minute until thickened.

I removed the pan from the heat. I added in the cheeses, salt and pepper and stirred until the cheeses melted. Then I added the pasta, asparagus and peas and tossed well. I plated some and sprinkled it with the breadcrumbs.

It was good, but just that. I ate two bowls and put the leftovers in the fridge. I left the breadcrumbs in a container with a lid, but not in the fridge. So, I can have it again this coming week. I’m not sure I’ll make it again, though.

I cleaned up the mess and found I had enough to run the dishwasher. It was then I remembered I hadn’t done the weekend wash! So, I ran the clothes in the basket through the washer.

I swept the floors and washed the main bathroom floor as well.  Then I put away the laundry and settled in for what was left of the night. Couldn’t find anything all that interesting on TV, so I watched a couple of taped shows and then went to bed.