stay attentive {silent sunday}

‘My style of cooking and writing has changed over the years and things that seemed to make sense then don’t make sense now. But more generally, every time you approach a dish, it feels slightly different. It seems to be asking for a little alteration, for this addition of this or the removal of that. I try to stay attentive to this. I guess this is what makes real food.’ – Yotam Ottolenghi, Plenty

*****

We took a day trip to Winona, a favorite spot to refresh the soul, remember the past. We gazed at the bluffs, poked around the old library, had lunch and dinner with friends. We spent time at the Blue Heron: walking around their recently added garden, catching up, eating well, laughing. I was sent home with Plenty, such a wonderful gift. My heart always aches on going, calling out to the pieces that I’ve left there, pieces that feel removed. But so much has been added, and these parts comfort me; they mingle with the old for sweet, brief, moments, and we recognize life; real life.