FOOD ON THE TABLE #1

(Food on the Table – Alabama)

(Catfish Song – Townes Van Zandt)

I’ve decided a goal for this trip will be to make one southern recipe a week. I’ve been google searching and looking through magazines and have begun compiling a list. If any of y’all 😉 have recipe suggestions I’m all ears. But more on this later.

Today was a bit cooler, 15 degrees but stronger winds. No sitting on the deck for me. I like it warmer. The first stop this morning was the post office. Richard went in to send some mail and I checked for mail. What? We got mail? Yup. Junk mail. While there I received my first (and I’m sure not my last) Evangelical conversation if you call a mostly one way dialogue a conversation. She explained to me how God had rewarded her. She had given up her place in the line to an older woman. Then when she was waiting back in the line a postal worker approached her and took her out of the line to go and get her pkg for her. Thus her reward. She then continued to recount testaments she’d read about people being saved by having hands laid on them. She was so passionate and even had tears in her eyes. It was captivating. I listened intently, nodding and smiling. But not once did she try to sway me to go to her church. That was impressive. I think she was just so filled with joy she had to share and I am a good listener.

Off to the library and then we headed to the gym. Yes indeed, I overdid it yesterday. I’ve also learned, after yesterday, not to do two classes back to back. My vinyasa yoga class today was not an easy go. I struggled and I got pretty down on myself. I know yoga is all about listening to your own body and doing what’s right for your body but I wasn’t happy with my body today. 😩 I need to get over that. Maybe someday.

Off to our grocery store and then Walmart where I bought a bicycle (hmm what was I saying about not overdoing it?) at a really good price $79. I enjoy biking and we have such a lovely flat road that also has a bike lane so why not. I’ll get exercise, enjoyment, and sun. Lovely while I’m here and then hopefully sell it before we leave. 🤞Oh. And a Richard had sushi for lunch. His first ever. He said, “It’s not bad.” That’s a good start.

Southern Meal #1

So now for my first southern meal:

Blackened Catfish with a Cilantro-Lime Butter on a bed of Sautéed Turnip Greens and Cornbread.

I have to admit I was a little leery about the greens but we bought the turnip greens anyways. Also bought Old Bay Blackened seasoning, 1lb fresh catfish fillets (on sale $6.99 a lb. super), and, shame on me, a pkg. of cornbread mix. The mix was a mistake. Worst cornbread I ever made. I just didn’t want to buy all the ingredients and have them leftover. So that’s a good reinforcement for me. Making from scratch is always best. When I started cooking dinner I realized that what they had in the store’s turnip greens section was labeled kale on the twist tie. Oh well. Onward and upward. Other than the cornbread the meal tasted very good. Richard had thought I’d chosen quite a difficult one for our first home cooked southern meal but agreed that it turned out ok. I’d definitely cook catfish again.I’d definitely cook catfish again and sauté the greens as well.

Nite y’all 😴