Peeling Carrots

I still peel carrots the way that Layla - the housekeeper and chef-in-residence in our house in Morocco - taught us. Without a sleek, swift, clean tool to strip off in even curls the outer skins of root vegetables. With just a paring knife, dragging and pressing it at angles to shear off the dermis, leaving cleaner rough edges on the carrots and a layer of orangey-sweet beta-carotine mist on my face and arms.

Layla and lentils (addis) in the villa kitchen in Morocco

Tonight I'm pre-preparing for dinner tomorrow night - a slow-cooked venison roast to serve Jacob and the roommate I displaced, Matthew; and courtesy of the Squires family, who shared of their recent take. It makes me think of our time abroad when we were so alone, but bonded with those around us because of the simple fact of our common lives and locales.

Now, as we look toward home again, I'm thinking of all those we missed and still miss, but who we hopefully will see soon, who we will re-integrate into our schedules and hopefully be marked into theirs.

Layla used to spend one or two evenings a week hosting cooking classes with us at the villa in addition to her regular work days. She shared her talents, comfort cooking and recipes with us and I always remember how she seemed to have a certain joy in the process of preparation and sharing with others. That, I think, is hospitality. Joy in such mundane things that, at their sum, are so much more than mundane because they serve and host others.

And that's why I still think of Layla while I'm peeling carrots.

Kiss it or miss it

I know it seems odd for me to say this in a way, but there are definitely some things I'm going to miss from up here. It won't be a total kiss off.

I will miss: The large bird. A fan favorite among readers and residents of the NE and also the source of nearly all our shopping spoils, Giant Eagle always doubles my coupons with a smile and adds fuel perks at GetGo (which I still maintain should be named the Eaglet). Is there a place like this in SC? Please!

In no particular order, obvio: P&J. They are such sweet friends and Jacob's relationship with him and them has persisted through many years and many distances. I know it will be the same for the four of us - and now with baby, the five of us!

Kiss it: the rain. THE RAIN! OMG, the rain. Kiss. It. Peace out. I'll gladly take my moisture hanging heavy in the air instead of dumping on me every single day. Heat and humidity, here I come.

Back later with the story of love, loss and lost...a dead cricket. So sad. So very very sad.