6.25.2014

June 24, 2014

White Dog followed Steve into the living area early this morning. I heard the two of them opening cabinets, rattling pots and running water. So did the rest of the White Dog Army and one-by-one they left the cool comfort of the bedroom and headed out to see what was going on.

It has been hot these past few days and we have switched to "summer mode" in meal prep...lots of cold meals, things cooked on the grill, things cooked overnight in the crockpot, or foods that we can prepare in the early morning and have ready at night. It keeps the house more comfortable and reduces the strain on our swamp cooler.

Steve used the crockpot overnight to prepare a split pea soup for our dinner when he gets home after class tonight. Now he and White Dog were making the White Dog Army's mackerel, rice and veggie meals for the week. None of the WDA seemed to mind the smell of fish and rice cooking at 6am; in fact they were kind of excited about the prospect of a change-of-pace breakfast.

With all of the windows and doors open to let in the beautiful barely daylight breezes, the WDA settled around the kitchen doorway to wait for the steaming to be done...and to supervise as Steve chopped spinach, added herbs and turmeric, stirred in food processed carrots.

Bella, my Constant Companion, trotted into the bedroom to check on me but looked longingly back down the hallway. "Go on," I told her. "Join the cooking club. I will be fine." Gratefully she headed back to the kitchen. It was kind of fun, lying alone in the still filtered light under the rotating fans as I listened to the bustle going on elsewhere in the house.

I heard the timer chirp and knew that the next step was the Army's favorite...where Steve strips the meat from the fish bones and adds it to the rice and veggies. Somehow the White Ones always end up get little bits and samples "for quality control."

The WDA was also fairly confident that their morning kibble would be enhanced with bits of fish skin and a drizzle of fish broth from the steaming. To them this was the biggest advantage to summer mode cooking, everything happens BEFORE breakfast is served.

A while later Steve came into the bedroom and asked what I wanted for breakfast, I kissed his hand and, tasting the faint fishiness, shrugged, "Certainly not what THEY are having." Strangely none of the smiling faces that surrounded us tried to talk me into demanding my share of the bounty.

5 comments:

TimberLove said...

I suggest fresh salmon, good anytime!

RA

Bunk The Pug said...

Oh my! Morning cooking of fish and vegetables. How many kibbles do I need to pay to have me a share of this bounty?

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

such a lovely post, I could just envision the "army" swarming around your husband

meowmeowmans said...

We love that so many have a say in the WDA. :)

Hugs to you all!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I have a feeling everything smelled sooo good cooking!
love
tweedles