luxury

I do not have a big-screen television. I do not have a Dutch oven. My knives are significantly overdue for a sharpening. The former two are deliberate choices warranting their own posts and therapy sessions, the latter is just laziness.

So when a friend with a big-screen tee vee, a brand new cherry red Dutch oven, and a brand new set of fancy Japanese knives had to travel for business recently, I graciously offered to pop over her house for a few hours each night she was gone, you know, to make the place look lived-in and such.

"That's so kind, but I think I'll be ok. I don't want to put you out." she responded to my gracious, generous, wholly un-self-serving offer.

"Well...if you want someone to watch your television and break in your Dutch oven and knives, I'm happy to do so."

She thought about that for a moment, then decided that, why, yes, there has been a rash of break-ins a few blocks away and better safe than sorry.

Thus far, I've made a loaf of sourdough with fresh thyme, French onion soup, and homemade noodles with chicken and vegetables in a garlic broth...and watched entirely too much "I'm Pregnant and..." and "Teen Mom."

ah, luxury.

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Usefulness of the day: The next time you make bread, cut a deep X in the dough, drizzle with evoo and fresh herbs, and bake in a Dutch oven. You will not regret it. Thank you.