Rejuvenate: Charms #17

Fill ‘er up, please. Me, that is; fill ME up. 

That’s what I’m thinking after the huge push to create our shows over the weekend. All the effort – mental, physical and emotional – that went into the cool pre-show, the beautiful concert and the post-show reception, were well worth it.

But what I feel now almost desperately is the deep need to refill, replenish, rejuvenate. I’m empty, or nearly so.

I don’t know what you do to put some pep back in your step, but if I’m going to do anything more than crawl around and bottom-feed indefinitely, I need to snag some … Inspiration! Tasty food! Beauty! Dancing for its own (or my own) sake!  Music! Joy! Here goes:

1) Heroic story of ”Yes, Chef”: I knew a bit about celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s memoir to be released at the end of June. What I didn’t know until I was reading a book review (at the sparkling Sugar salon here in West Hartford) is that his is a tale of epic heroism. 

Born in Ethiopia, he, his sister and mother contracted tuberculosis when he was only 3 years old.  At which point, Samuelsson’s mother WALKED 75 MILES with her two children to the nearest hospital. Incredible.

Although, tragically, his mother died soon after reaching the hospital, she managed to save her children, who were subsequently adopted by a Swedish couple. Samuelsson’s life unfolds playing out the themes of heroism and inspiration from the first years of his life.  

Can’t wait for the book, including the story of Samuelsson’s development from a boy who loved to cook with his Swedish gran into a world-class chef living and making waves in NYC. So uplifting – thank you!

2) 60-Minute Gourmet’s Chicken Scarpariello: This dish oozes flavor–and comfort.  My husband kindly made it for us again tonight, something he first did for me decades ago when I was clawing my way through law school.

The recipe illustrates how simple, good ingredients can be made into a luscious feast. If you don’t own Pierre Franey’s classic 60-Minute Gourmet cookbook, go get it! Or you can google this recipe-only half a dozen food ingredients, plus, of course, LOVE. 

3) Vietnamese Food Extravaganza: There’s a 50-way tie among foods that are guaranteed to bring me comfort and joy. But Pan Asian cuisine is always a front-runner with Vietnamese usually leading the pack. The clean, pungent flavors finessed by the elegant French influence always deliver.

Sooooo, Sunday night we made our favorite Grilled Lemongrass Pork with Ginger Lime Sauce, throwing cellophane noodles in for good measure. But today after two meetings I still needed to run by Viet Nam Restaurant (New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT) for delicious Grilled Chicken and Egg Rolls on Salad and Rice Vermicelli for lunch.  Yum!     

4) ”What the World Needs Now Is Love:” If you missed “In Performance at The White House” on PBS on Monday, May 21, you didn’t get to witness an outpouring of emotion and genrosity by the array of gifted musicians honoring Burt Bacharach and Hal David. That prolific songwriting duo were awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Music, this country’s highest musical honor, by the Library of Congress and President Obama.  

I don’t know what was the most thrilling: The gorgeous musical tributes, especially the virtuosity of Stevie Wonder, Diana Krall and Arturo Sandoval; the sweep of the songwriting duo’s creativity, or the 85ish Bacharach taking the stage and affirming musically ”What the World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love.”  Let’s just say I had the tissues handy for the tears.

Followed this up with Aretha and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young on Pandora and I was good to go.

5) Tomorrow, Nature and Anthropologie: My planters outside feature flourishing 8-inch weeds, which I will be replacing with flowers tomorrow. My offering to the garden. Finally.

And then, la piece de resistance, heading off to Anthropologie for an infusion of color, scent, texture, beauty and creativity. Definitely feeling better now:). Cheers and

enjoy ...