If I Lived a Little Bit Closer
Written by Rachel, Posted in Thoughts
In my head right now I’m singing, “On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese, I lost my poor wheatball, when somebody sneezed.” The word “wheatball” is said in Mrs. Kim’s voice (Mrs. Kim is a character on Gilmore Girls), which is why it’s saying “wheatball” instead of “meatball”. Are you still here? Or did you stop reading? If you’ve already left, I get it. Might be a little bit weird. If you’re still here, I’m glad.
Sunday night I had a dream that my brother’s partner had the baby that was due today. I woke up quite anxious and worried about them and wondered if it had happened. I didn’t heard anything until Tuesday while I was editing my episode, when I got THE call… He told me that I am Auntie Rachel!
The above paragraphs don’t relate to each other. I just think wheatball is funny and want to share it with you. Actually (you could say that in Oscar’s voice, from The Office), I can relate the two. I included it because my family is silly and I think they’d think it’s funny. So there. Here’s some photographic proof.
I love that only a few of us are looking at the camera. Apparently there was a joke happening.
Brother Jake and I talking during my post wedding brunch.
The photo at the top of the post includes our littlest brother, Josh.
Jake and Mom practicing their walk down the aisle at my wedding rehearsal.
My family is really great. I mean, I know you kinda have to (or at least are supposed to) like your family. But, I actually do. I love spending time with them. Not just my parents and brothers and sister-in-law, but the extended family too. I got to thinking about this today, because I’d been waiting for that call that would make me an Auntie. And I started thinking about my aunts and uncles and the amazing people that they are, and how I hope to be even a fraction as cool as they were/are.
I’m overjoyed. I can’t wait to see my parents as Oma and Opa (Grandma and Grandpa). I can’t wait to see my littlest brother as an uncle. And, oh my gosh, I can’t wait to see my other little brother as a daddy (wasn’t it just yesterday that we were home for lunch during Elementary school telling terrible knock knock jokes at the kitchen table?!), and his wonderful partner as a mommy. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.
I’ve mentioned before that we live really far away from my immediate family. So, I won’t be bringing a casserole or some soup to the new parents. But, if I were going to, I would bring them something like this Tempeh and Lentil Stew.
Tempeh and Lentil Stew
Last modified on 2013-01-11 18:42:36 GMT. 2 comments. Top.
| Tempeh and Lentil Stew |
- 2 T olive oil
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 3 small turnips, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, diced
- 2 t salt (or to taste)
- 2 t smoked paprika
- pinch ground ginger
- 1/2 t chili powder
- 1/2 t pepper
- 1/2 t red pepper flakes
- pinch all spice
- 6-8 C vegetable stock
- 1 C lentils
- 4-8 oz. tempeh
- 1 C puréed pumpkin (I roasted fresh pumpkin, then puréed it)
- 1 C finely diced fresh (or canned) tomatoes
- 1 C rotini rice pasta
- 1 T apple cider vinegar
- Heat soup pot. Add olive oil. Add carrot, turnip, onion and seasonings, cook 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and tempeh, cook 2 minutes. Add all remaining ingredients except pasta and vinegar.
- Bring to a boil, cook 30-60 minutes (or until lentils are soft).
- Add pasta. Cook until al dente.
- Add vinegar.
- Taste and add more seasonings if desired.
Lentils are high in iron and are a good source of protein.
Additional veggies that could be included: spinach, chard, kale, cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli.
P.S. To my tiny niece: You are so loved! I can’t wait to hold you.
P.S.S. In case anyone wonders, Husband’s family is pretty awesome as well. And, same as mine, not just the parents and sibling (and future sibling to be), but extended family too. We are very blessed.
