Rainy fall days, slowly turning crispy leaves into slippery platforms to avoid along the pathway. The air is cool, and my nose and fingers go numb as I hike up the stairs to our second floor apartment. Avoiding burnout by keeping an evening or two free from plans allows me time to spend with my new husband. I get to the front door and walk inside. The warmth begins to comfort me, as I think of a meal to make for this evening of togetherness. I come up with an idea, search for a recipe, and call Troy to get a few ingredients not to be found in our cupboards. I plop down on the couch to begin mentally preparing for the meal I am about to make and I glance to the floor. There it sits. The bag, the gift bag overspilling it’s contents almost onto the oak floor beneath it. Cards. Wedding Cards. These crisped and folded pieces of fancy paper symbolize the love and support we have been graciously given from our parents, family, and friends. It is difficult for me to wrap my head around the idea that we have been married for almost three weeks already, it barely feels like three days.
I know that soon we have to open these cards again, reading again the messages for a long lasting love, faithful marriage, and happy home. I wanted to send out “thank you’ cards within a few days of the wedding,even considered bringing them along on our honeymoon in case we had the notion to begin them there. It is not that I do not want to write them, or that it will take up too much time, I simply can not find the words to thank these people. These people have loved, supported, and cheered for us our entire lives and we are supposed to thank them for their gifts, words, and encouragement with a note card? It hardly seems fitting. I close my eyes for a moment and decide tomorrow is another day, the day I hope the words to come to my mind, just in time to flow from pen to paper. These words that in the end, say “Thank you, thank you for being our rocks, our cheerleaders, and our support systems for the past 20-something years. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”
Bolognese Sauce is something that I have always loved, but seldom made at home. I found this recipe from Ree, and used it as a guide for my sauce. I wanted my sauce to be loaded with veggies, so I upped the amount of onions and carrots. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did, snuggled under a blanket watching our favorite TV shows.
- ½ Cup Olive Oil
- 1 Red Onion
- 1 White Onion
- 2 # Ground Beef
- 3 Carrots
- 2 Celery Stalks
- 2 TB Dried Oregano
- 2 TB Dried Basil
- 1 Tsp. Dried Thyme
- 2 TB Minced Garlic
- (1) 28oz Can Crushed Tomatoes
- (1) 6 oz. Can Tomato Paste
- 1 Cup Red Wine
- 1 Cup Milk
- Gently heat ¼ C. olive oil in large skillet or dutch oven.
- Finely chop both onions, add to oil.
- Allow onions to cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add finely chopped carrots and celery, cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and herbs.
- Make well in middle of pan, add other ¼ C oil.
- Add beef, and brown completely, stiring to break up any chunks.
- Add tomato paste, and crushed tomatoes.
- Cook until well combined.
- Add wine and milk.
- Allow to cook for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve over pasta of your choice.
