My next door neighbor died today, we weren't close in the sense you are with your family or friends AND I lived next to him for seven and a half years. He was kind to my children and occasionally bought them gifts at holidays. He sprayed the weeds in the cracks of my driveway for me, he saw us cutting flowers in the front yard (to take as a birthday gift) and invited us to his backyard for beautiful roses to add to the bouquet. He was neighborly. He helped shape how I want to be as a neighbor. We live in these houses just feet from each other, we wave hello to some, we even talk to some. Do we connect? Do we show we care? I guess I should ask do we care? I know some neighbors I wouldn't recognize in the line behind me at Costco, others I know their names, some of their story and can greet their dogs by name. My neighborhood has an older set than us, my kids don't know any children from the area and yet I know children exist. Come, to think of it, all the neighbors I know well are because they reached out to us, introduced themselves, checked up, offered help. I have been helped numerous times by these friends by geography. Just a few times that come to mind are, one day, I arrived home and the pool was overflowing, I had no idea where my water shut off was so I ran to the neighbors for help (I still can not believe that tiny spigot turns off the water for the whole house!) Another time, I lost a bunny (children at a party didn't latch the hutch correctly) two days later neighbors caught the bunny under their bushes, incurring scratches, and protected the heart of my little one who would have been devastated. I have also run across the street (yes barefoot) to ask for cumin when I ran out (taco meat wouldn't have been the same! crisis averted), I have made and shared goodies, and felt safer for the kids and I because I have the numbers of those close by who watch my house. I feel the loss, I feel the loss for my kids. I'm struggling with what to do, food or a card or flowers. I'm left wishing I had visited more, had been more grateful. Isn't that how it often is? We don't appreciate things until they are gone? We don't realize the value, the effect on our lives until it's too late except in memories.
All we can do is move forward and learn from the past, that's my choice.
I'm having the kids run a thank you card across the street because as this post was coming to be some neighbors took in all my recycling for me (this is kinda too soon for me to express properly but this job was too much for me to handle with no truck or help, I cried after she brought me the cash and I saw the area devoid of bottles and cans.)
So more silly handmade cards that express my gratitude, I'm involving my kids in the delivery or signing or art. I am waving to the dog walkers and those two ladies who walk my street every morning as I leave for work (by the way, way to go! you gals haven't missed a day.) I am choosing to be more neighborly, to appreciate these geographical friends, to connect with them more. How else can we connect with those around us?
-Lo
You are such a giving person too Lo. I know you have brought your famous Tomato Bisque over to neighbors. Maybe its a time to introduce yourself to the ones you don't know. Never know what great relationships can lye ahead. I am sorry to hear about your neighbor that is never easy. I say bring food. People tend to forget to eat....and you are an amazing cook. Love, Ro
Two friends, living their lives, maintaining a friendship and hopefully their sanity, wanna come along for the ride?
Showing posts with label neighborly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label neighborly. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Amazing Tomato Bisque
Just for reference, I feed those who appreciate being fed, those I want to show love/support to AND my children. The kitchen is where I can share two love languages, gifts, and acts of service. I feel like acts of service is an area I can work on (and thankfully neither child has that as a top two!), so I love that my obsession for food can help me in expressing my love (I linked the children's love language quiz below.) Let's remember to take people food when they have a baby or surgery or -insert huge life event good or bad that requires extra time/energy/emotion-and share a meal. Food is intimate, food expresses love, ok... it can express love. And speaking of food for those in need or overwhelmed, let's try and express our needs, to ask for help (I am admittingly horrible about this and trying to get better....work in progress.) We ALL need help sometimes, gosh I'd say most of the time (I know that's not just me!) People don't know when we don't tell them or ask them. I recently ran across the street to ask my neighbors a quick question (yay to neighbors who you can run barefoot across the street in your jammies to!) Well, the wife had just had back surgery 10 days earlier and could only tolerate 20-30 minutes out of bed. I don't even remember what my quick question was because it was so inconsequential in comparison. They invited me in for dinner that someone had brought (I of course refused but I'm also working on being a gracious recipient, not taking that joy from people, so I finally agreed to a small bowl). The dinner was delicious and a tomato bisque. I make a great tomato bisque and despite my love for cooking and sharing I don't typically say I make something great......but, I do make a GREAT tomato bisque. I politely asked if they enjoyed tomato bisque, to which they replied yes. I said I have a great recipe and I'd love to bring it to you. So 4 days later I got to run across the street (barefoot) with the pot I made the soup in and bring them tomato bisque. They have helped me so many times and I loved bringing them food. Now, it also happens that I got a text that that was the BEST SOUP they had ever had and needed the recipe. That made me light up even more that they had enjoyed it so much (and absolutely there is pride involved here, I love to hear rave reviews about my dishes and yet I can honestly say it's not why I make food for people, it's truly a bonus.)
so here is my most amazing "recipe" yah.... it's not really a recipe, sorry...I think its just two tips.....
FRESH Tomatoes (not canned, yummy fresh, different colors, mix and match types, from your neighbors? yes to it all)
I'll say 5-6 large, remove stem and quarter (don't need to do more)
I have used a ton of cherry tomatoes and pear tomatoes fresh from a garden with some giant heirloom also, don't be afraid
roughly chop a handful of fresh basil
*yes the tip is fresh tomatoes and fresh basil
cook this down with water (enough to keep it wet, not dry)
add Better than Bullion chicken stock (3 Tablespoons, bigger pot? add more) (tip #2 Better than Bouillon has great flavor and I buy the organic and it takes up very little precious space in the refrigerator)
Possibly tip #3 cook the tomatoes and bullion on med (or med/high if you are around to keep an eye on it) making sure to add water as necessary until you don't need to blend it (in a hurry, feel free to pull out the immersion blender) the cooking down of the tomatoes happens over time, they will turn to a soup on their own. Yes, I'm talking about cooking down the tomatoes for hours.
when this happens, add half and half or heavy cream slowly until a beautiful bisque color (start with 1/2 cup increments if nervous- I pour from container now)
add another handful finely chopped fresh basil and salt and pepper to taste ( heavy cream requires more salt to taste)
so the main thing is, take your time and cook those tomatoes down, use fresh basil and fresh tomatoes, and make food for someone who may be in need!
Make delicious grilled cheese with brie, or sharp cheddar and dip....yummmmm
https://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/children/
-Lo
***THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING STUFF. Yes I yelled on purpose! So fresh and so good! And I dont even like tomato soups! Love, Ro
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