Month nine of my exodus to who-knows-where-coastal-CA and I'm more homesick than months 1-8 combined. I can't pinpoint what it is that won't let go of my old life. Does that make me more narrow-minded than I can admit?? Probably, but "thems the brakes" and all that. 

I said this was going to be a blog of musings on food and music, I should probably give you some of both. 

1) Food: Today in an effort to make something hearty for a brisk day and a touch of what feels like a cold, I made the following modified version of a recipe I saw in Vegetarian Times

Curry-Carrot Soup (serves 1)

1.5 cups chopped carrots

3/4-1 cup chopped leeks

1 chopped shallot

1 clove garlic, chopped (um...lots of chopping kids, sorry!)

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

1/4 tsp baking soda

curry powder, to taste, or garam masala

1/4 cup water

roasted pistachios

black pepper

olive oil

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and add the garlic and shallots. Stir until they are frying and turning glassy, then add the leeks, carrots, ginger, and stir liberally. Wait about 2 min (keep stirring) and add the baking soda, cover. Stir every few minutes. When the carrots are squishy (no lie!) and the mixture is somewhat brown and bubbly, add the curry powder/garam masala and stir for one minute more with the heat off. Let it cool slightly and put into a blender, add the 1/4 cup water and blend away!! Serve in a bowl with the pistachios on top and black pepper. 

2) Music: I miss folks and certain folks and folks who are definitely not reading this or maybe you are (are you?! you! yeah you!!!!!) so here is my song of the day for you because I wish we were at a mythical "Mermaid Cafe" drinking wine and where the night is a starry dome.