John and Luke made the initial store run in the morning - but had no luck finding steaks to a quality of their liking. Since I wasn't going to budge on the planned soup to be prepared (reference "The Daily Soup" cookbook), John and Livi, Luke and Brock all made the afternoon grocery run. Steaks, Gorgonzola and green beans were found on this run - thank goodness.
As I scrambled to get myself and the house cleaned up prior to Brook's arrival, the kids tore through the house doing anything to undo whatever I had done. What are you gonna do? I decided on some ill-fitting Lands End jeans and a dark gray Eddie Bauer turtle neck for the big event, and went sans make-up. John, well he never managed to change out of his Rehoboth Beach t-shirt. Sorry, Brook.
Brook's much anticipated arrival came right on time, at 4 p.m. With a crackling fire in the living room, we welcomed her into our humble home. Brock played coy and hid under a pillow on the sofa. Livi and Luke continued to do their own thing in the family room. Eventually all the kids were comfortable enough to scream in Brook's presence, and Brock proud enough to parade around the house in his usual attire of Sponge Bob underwear - yes, that's it.
Brook came with a load of presents for the Dyer Family, and we couldn't be more thrilled w/ a cookbook from America's Test Kitchen w/ one pot meals and a phenomenally bright orange 5.5 qt. Le Creuset dutch oven. To boot, their was a package of Curry spices from Penzey's, that will come in oh so handy for future soup batches (think Mulligatawny)!! Thank you Joan and Brook!
While the John and the kids made pizza with a green crust and purple sauce for a special Sunday kids meal (thanks for the kit, Gramma), Dona started the soup and talked to Brook. Today's choice: Chickpea, Penne and Gorgonzola soup. Ingredients: leeks, white onion, garlic, bay leaf, rosemary stems, vegetable broth (prepared earlier), chick peas, whole wheat penne, Gorgonzola cheese, spinach, and balsamic vinegar. After the soup simmered for about an 30 minutes, John fired up the grill and took care of the NY strips. In no time it was "Soup's On" for everyone. See the pictures below (photography by Brook Zitek and Livi Dyer). The meal ended w/ some Whoopie Pies - most w/ pink filling in honor of Natalie Beth. What fun!!!
