Potluck with Judy

Sundays were always when I posted Potluck with Judy, my now defunct food blog. But today I thought it just might be a good time to post about food (rather than rant about our new Congress, which I probably won't be able to restrain myself from doing for long). I bribed Jordan, Christian, and Jacob to come put Christmas back in the attic if I fixed brunch/lunch. Jacob, being old enough now to be allowed in the attic, loves to help his dad get things down and put them back up. I, being old enough that I am not allowed in the attic, am grateful.
I fixed croissant sandwiches--but only Christian and I ate croissants. They're not on Jordan's diet, and Jacob prefers what I call Jacob bread--Pepperidge Farm extra thin sandwich slices. At least I get them in whole wheat. Jacob has recently discovered that bacon/tomato/mayonnaise sandwiches are his very favorite. But the for 'dults, I followed a recipe I found online.
Spread mayonnaise on the bottom of a croissant; top with greens lightly dressed with raspberry/chipotle dressing; then thin slices of Pink Lady apples (so good!), followed by thin slices of brie, and finally bacon.  Wonderful combination--the flavors just go together.
I had raspberry chipotle sauce but not dressing, so I made a bit into dressing by mixing it with oil and vinegar--decided I'd made something good to keep in mind for future salads.
I was being cagey, I thought, when I bought six mini-croissant for$3.00--instead of three large for $4.00. I reasoned Christian would eat two, Jordan and I would each eat one, and Jacob could try one if he wanted. Problem was that there was simply too much filling for such a small roll. I ordered a croissant chicken salad sandwich when we stopped at the High Cotton Restaurant in Marlin a couple of weeks ago and it was huge, so big I took half home. The mini left me half hungry. I'd advise the full-size for this sandwich. I do have chicken salad in the fridge and that's probably what I'll have for supper.
The recipe said marinated vegetables were a perfect accompaniment, and I just happened to have those. Both recipes came from High-Made Food (http://highmadefood.com/) the Web site for a café in the Texas Hill Country. The site features basic foods with easy to follow instructions--minestrone, vanilla bean crème brulee, hoppin' John, chicken stew--you get the idea. Check it out. Sometimes I think, "No, I already make that my way and I like it," but other times I print and save.
The BLAB, as they call it (bacon, lettuce, brie, and apple), is definitely one I'll keep and try again. 

The Chronicles of Sophie....continued

I have a new name for Sophie: 'Stroyer, short for Destroyer. Yesterday was a particularly outstanding day for her. She snatched a handwoven coaster off my desk, didn't chew much but that one corner is probably enough to start it unraveling. Next she got one of my bras--no, it was not on the floor but hanging on a doorknob where I often put it. I thought she couldn't hurt it much. After all she wasn't going to tear great holes in fabric. But when I put it on I couldn't fasten it--she had destroyed the plastic hook--just hope it's not in her stomach.
 But the final insult was that she stole the last bite of my lunch sandwich--just reached up to the plate next to me on the desk and took it. I wasn't looking but when I turned back to the plate, I thought, "Wait a minte. I didn't eat it all." I'd been savoring that last bite in my mind. Then I saw her licking at something on the floor. This was no ordinary sandwich--I had combined mayonnaise, the last of a roast chicken, and crumbled blue cheese on rye bread. My all-time favorite sandwich.
I first ate this combination in the basement cafeteria of a department store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, way back when I was in college. Brought the idea home to my mom, and she loved it as much as I did. We were--and I still am--big fans of Maytag blue cheese. One day Mom fixed me a sandwich to take to the hospital where I worked and also fixed one for the older single woman who was manning the gift shop that day. The other woman ate my sandwich, raved about it, and left me salami and cheese. A big enough disappointment that it stands out in memory even today.
Back to Sophie: last night I had dinner guests, he an Episcopalian priest who had done a blessing of the animals service that day on a ranch. Since Sophie is still too excitable to take to a blessing ceremony, I asked him to bless her. She is now blessed though it was quite informal--she was trying to jump in his lap and he said something quckly about blessing her and then named the whole family. Katie and Gayland were, however, lovely about welcoming Sophie, raved about her beauty (well, I think so), and loved on her. She behaved medium well, did sit when told to but quivered with excitement.
Today there was no school, so Jacob spent the night and was here until after lunch when he went to play with a friend. He went outside to play with Sophie and I took the picture above. He tells me she is his best friend, and today he said, "Sophie is a lover." When I agreed, he said, "I am a lover too. She gets it from me." Then he hastily added, "And from you too!"