random thoughts – Day 1,816 – (Friday) – wind and soup

March is roaring in like a lion, but that’s how it seems the whole year has been so far. There was a brief break, but now it’s back, as wild as it ever was. When I woke up at the usual odd hour of 3:00 this morning, it was blowing hard and crazy. It was the same scenario at 5:30 when I woke up again. Sometime between the two awakenings, Kiki charged in from the bedroom doorway and launched herself as if trying to fly onto the bed. I think. It’s possible I dreamt it. Or wished it.

How it started.

The wind raged on and off all day. The three recycle bins at the house next door were knocked over and rattled about in the neighbor’s yard. It’s surprising how much noise trash bins being tossed in the wind make. The crankout windows in the office groaned. The porch window on the same side of the house rattled. It’s unnerving every windy day.

The wind rattles the windows and my nerves, but food, as usual, was a calming element. The leftover lemon soup from Thursday’s delivery order was the steamy lunchtime appetizer. The rest of the grilled veggie sub, warmed in the microwave for 30 seconds, was the main event. 

Homemade soup had a role later in the day. The freezer bags of onion skins and ends, carrot ends, and broccoli stems were finally put to use this week. They were dumped into the saucepan, covered with water and then the lid, and set on a low flame to simmer for several hours. The skins and bits were retrieved from the rich, brown broth and fresh carrots and onions sautéed in olive oil and butter were added, followed by frozen mixed vegetables and brussels sprouts, more water, a packet of onion soup mix, and mushroom tortellini. The house smelled great.

Finished product.

Topped with some chopped cheese, the soup was tonight’s supper and it was perfect for a windy evening. It had been a couple weeks since the last time I made soup, and that was also good. Sometimes, I forget how easily entertained I am, and how enjoyable and comforting the process of making soup can be. The next household goal will be finding joy and comfort in tidying the house. I was probably never going to win any perfect housekeeping awards, and the broken wrist has really been detrimental to keeping up with the dust and clutter.

According to the text message from National Grid, strong winds up to 55 mph are expected overnight and into Saturday. Rain on the roof can be comforting, but howling winds are not.