#73: And Unexpected Getaway and an April Fool
It’s important to nourish ourselves with self-care, plus recipes for Lentil Soup and a very easy to make dessert.
A dear friend writes that she has been gifted a six-month around the world journey on a freighter and is leaving the next day! I know she would absolutely adore doing this, and it would be like her to leave at the drop of a hat. I totally fall for it and text back, You are traveling on a freighter tomorrow?? She replies, Joyeux poisson d'avril! (Happy April Fool’s Day!)
A bit later another friend texts. Want to spend the weekend at the cabin? OMGosh, YES!, I say. I haven’t been out to her cabin since November of 2019 and am just beginning to exercise my out of shape and rather flabby travel muscles. This will be a weekend of reading, visiting, baking and cooking, and walking with our dogs who are besties.
I pull out my day-pack and fill it with basics (toiletries, change of clothes, slippers, water-bottle, book) and still have room inside to stuff my pillow. Then I dress myself in layers—a thermal tee, fleece, down vest, wool scarf, rain jacket and hat—lace up my boots, and am ready to go.
The journey takes about two hours and although GP hasn’t been to the cabin in over two years, she gives little squeals as we get close. We see some of the resident Roosevelt Elk herd on our way and I let out a few squeals, too. By the time we make the last turn, GP is dancing in the back seat with joyous vocalizations to match. We park, let the girls out to run, and unload. Then I head straight into the kitchen to make a lentil soup that simmers while we take our first walk and see that spring is showing up everywhere!
Here’s a beautiful pink Salmonberry blossom.
Seeing a first Trillium of the season is always a special gift. Did you know that it can take up to fourteen years for a Trillium to offer a first blossom?
Yellow wood violets are showing their bright faces right now.
And moss covered trees are everywhere!
The soup is ready when we get back to the cabin, and a quick salad made with arugula and the tiny leaves of home grown mache dressed with a lemon vinaigrette goes perfectly with it.
My friend is well-known by her neighbors for dropping by with desserts and tomorrow will be the night for sharing treats at the cabins nearby. After a little dreaming of what we might create, we cook up what we will need to make some layered treats and decide to call them April Fools.
I ate half of one last night, it was so rich and delicious, and the rest this morning after a final forest walk with the girls. Then we loaded back up and headed back through the rain to my cozy cottage.
I am grateful to my friend for providing such a sweet and unexpected getaway and helping me to remember that in order to nourish others, it’s important to nourish ourselves with self-care, too.
Have a wonderful week!
Kate
Recipes
Lentil Soup
April Fools