Purling Oaks

Pretty stone fruit

Caution:  Items in small bowls may appear larger than real life.

 

I believe I will have cherries with my yogurt tomorrow morning.  Our newer small cherry trees have ripening fruit, so I (HA!) cherry-picked a few.  

Today was an absolutely beautiful day.  I opened up the windows this morning to low humidity and blue skies and they're still open.  The only thing better would be if I could have spent more of my day outside.  

 

The Pork Roast

The pork roast was so good.  Here's the recipe:

These are the quantities I used--if you use more vegies or have a larger roast, you may need to cook it longer or add a bit more liquid.

2.5 pound pork loin roast

3 red potatoes, quartered

2 cloves garlic, peeled

some little carrots to put under the roast to support it 

two medium/large sweet or yellow onions, very thinly sliced  (washed, sliced leeks are also nice here)

1/2 cup fino sherry or dry white wine (or chicken broth)

salt/pepper/olive oil

broth/water/additional sherry

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  I used an enameled cast iron 7 quart dutch oven.  Place the carrots in the bottom of the pan.  Place the roast on the carrots.  Insert an oven proof thermometer into the roast.  Season with salt, freshly ground pepper, and paprika.  Place the potatoes and garlic on either side of the roast.  Cover with the sliced onions.  Salt and pepper the onions and drizzle with olive oil.  (make sure you can see the thermometer!)  Put the pan in the oven and let it roast for 15 minutes.  After the 15 minutes add the fino.  Roast for another 45 minutes or until the roast is at 150 internal temp.  (yes, I know the thermometer says that 170 is the right temp for pork.  It is wrong.)  Remember the temp will climb another 5 degrees after you pull it out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.  I didn't need to add any additional liquid (water, wine, chicken broth) tonight but sometimes I do -- I usually check at about 45 minutes.  

I usually pile the onions in one bowl, the other vegies in another, and put the roast on a platter for carving. Some folks might make a gravy or use the pan drippings/liquid for au jus.  

Leftovers are designated this week for cuban sandwiches.  

 

This is one of my favorite recipes.  It requires little prep and results in a very nice meal in an hour or so that is great for family and company.

Savory scents at home

A pork roast with onions, potatoes, garlic, and a few carrots to support the meat is cooking with a bit of fino (dry sherry) in my oven and making the house smell delicious.  This week I've begun to catch up on blogs, make a bit of a dent in the laundry pile, worked, and haven't yet touched the clothes that came back with me from DC.  

I know I have to clean out the closet and also make some selections from the DC clothes for contributions to St. Vinnie's.  I have to because I just don't have the ever-expanding magic closet--I have a decent amount of space and just too darn many clothes.  Fat clothes, not-so-fat clothes, play clothes, lots of work clothes, gardening clothes, hunting clothes, even a few dresses!  I think know I'm putting it off because 1) time is limited and work does come first and 2) the selections are part of what I'll be for this next part of my life.  You know..." the clothes make the woman" concept.  I have a feeling I'll be working on the contents of my closet constantly for the next year.  I want to peel off the skin I've worn and try on a new one.......or three.  

Time for me to serve up that pork roast.  It is nice to be home.

Road trip EOD 3

Home!!!!

I enjoyed spending the morning in Peoria with my friend, Peg, who happened to be on her way home yesterday when I took a chance and called when I was driving in Indiana. Peg & Mike offered me a spare bedroom and how could I pass that up?! Right, I didn't! Peg and I worked together in Houston about 25 years ago and became the kind of friends who seem to be able to pick up were we last left off, no matter when that was.

Day 2's driving was very pleasant -- by the time I arrived in Kentucky, the sky had blued-up and the mountains didn't embrace the road so closely. The West Virginia mountains really love their roads, I'm just sayin'. WV is a ruggedly beautiful country. KY is lovely as well, 'though more open and just a bit easier on my Wisconsin-native eyes.

I found Indiana had little for me to remark on outside of it being an easy drive. Illinois is a relatively familiar place and finding my friends there was an easy task --- especially since the lady in the GPS box told me how to get within a quarter mile of their home.

Today's drive was not too long or difficult outside of the heavy truck traffic between Rockford and Madison, not an unusual environment on that stretch of road.

So, I've had dinner with my love, the boat, err, car is unpacked, and I'm ready to start sleeping in my now one and only bed location. It was a bittersweet week that, besides finding my emotions so very close to the surface, will be one I hope will mark the beginning of a new life chapter that is even better than the last.

G'night!

Road trip EOD 2

Just a short post---

I ended the day in Peoria and am staying with friends that happened to be home. Yay for calling on the spur of the moment!

We spent most of the night chatting so I will have to catch you up later but it was a great day for driving.

G'night!

Road trip EOD #1

All the key parts of the move happened in the best possible way. With the advice and assistance of the Hertz lady, I was able to upgrade to a boat of a vehicle----a Suburban. I successfully navigated back to the apartment without running over anything (or anyone).

After a few trips around the block, a parking spot opened up at the far end of the block--not optimal but no streets to cross when loading the car.

However....the goddess of parking was happy with me and as I brought out my first load, the car in front of the apartment pulled out! I scurried and voila! fewer steps for loading. Never mind the ticket I got for not having a sticker on my car....in a public parking spot?! Oh well, a small price to pay.

I packed that car to capacity and got it ALL in! Whew. Without the extra room in the big car I would have been SOL.

The drive started out lovely - sunny and beautiful country to see. But I must admit that several hours of mountain driving tired me out. Up, down, curve, curve, lots of semis and five or seven percent grades made for very active driving.

I made it to Huntington, West Virginia and decided to call a halt to playing road warrior for the day. Min has been a great companion and as you can see is tuckered out.

Now to rest up for tomorrow! G'night!

Road trip - post

Hai from DC!

The road trip is about to begin as I am on my way via the Blue Line to rent the car and take my first stab at DC traffic in over a year. Once i find a Good Parking Spot I will stuff the car with the stuff (is that why we use that term?) remaining in the apt, clean, then head west. I guessing I will sleep in West Virginia tonight.....I'll let you know. ;D