joy and pain

First, Monster got an EXCELLENT diagnosis on his recent physical last week and his checkup at the Neurologist yesterday. His cholesterol levels are half of what mine are. This man probably could drink bacon fat daily with no ill effect. He also does not have to take Plavix anymore. No medications necessary at all, other than a single daily aspirin.

Last night, we went shopping and got Halloween costume materials together. Then went to RuSans, where I had sushi with great company. Monstermustdie found a dish that he enjoyed a lot, which might mean he'll join us there more often in the future.
We came home, dyed some fabric, gathered up more monster-making stuff from the basement before checking emails and going to bed.

Then a bad thing happened.

I managed to injure my left foot last night by stumbling and landing toes first. It's quite an ugly sight this morning. Takes talent to injure myself that way, I think. Can't believe I'm such a klutz.

No dancing or running or waiting in long lines for me this weekend.

A Very Good Weekend

The past three days this week were a flurry of activity at Rancho de WereMonster.

Friday, I was the host of the Vinophiles October meeting with a theme this month of Red Zinfandel.

Saturday was the big Birthday Party with friends and family. My mother, brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, uncle, and aunt all made it here from The West (Cobb County) early in the evening. They left before things got too interesting so the old people could sleep and the young people could go out to play. MonsterMustDie made a very sweet toast before we cut the birthday cake. Lots of food, my favorite people and very generous gifts. I am extremely grateful to all who made it to our place for the party and I had a fabulous time. The fridge here is still loaded with leftover cake and food. Even with the large number of people who were here this weekend, there is a ton of wine in coolers here from Vinophiles and my mother, who apparently decided to clean out her cabinets and bring all of her vino here (If you want to come over for a low-key evening of DVDs here with leftover snacks and wine during this week or next, just let me know. I am the Queen of crackers and salad, cake and cookies).

Sunday was the Pumpkin Carving. There were some GREAT Jack o' Lanterns made. Some photos are posted on my Flickr page.

I had coffee and cake and Rose Delight for breakfast this morning.

Tonight, I combined what was in the fridge with several ingredients from the wonderful herb basket my friend Joe brought and made what turned out to be an incredibly tastey soup. Three kinds of mushrooms, lime zest, lemon grass, hot peppers, garlic, onion, various herbs, chard... Yum!

Now watching Anthony Bourdain on the Travel Channel with Monster John, who is exhausted from making my birthday so good.

Ciao, Elisa

Published by The Blissful Glutton on October 7, 2009 at 11:46 PM



It's been a sad week. First, Gourmet Magazine announces it will cease publication. And now Elisa Gambino has decided to close her pasta shop, Via Elisa.

Here is what she announced (via John Kessler's piece for the AJC) in her latest newsletter:


Via Elisa’s store – but not our sauces — will end what has been a glorious seven-year run in Atlanta at the close of business on Saturday, October 17, the latest victim of an unforgiving economy.

Though that will mark the last day we will make our award-winning pasta and the last day our store will be open, I want you to know that we will continue to make our sauces, whose sales have grown despite the economic climate.

Since the line of Via Elisa sauces sold at Whole Foods Markets throughout six states in the South does very well, I will focus on developing Via Elisa as a sauce company. All three of our sauces – Passionately Perfect Tomato, Diavoletta and Sofia’s Sicilian Caper – are available in 16-oz. and 32-oz. jars.

Elisa's saucesBetween the flooding and the economy, there has been much sad news here in Atlanta, and when I think of the loss that so many people have suffered, this bit of news seems trivial in comparison. I am thankful to all of you who have supported Via Elisa since we opened our doors in 2002. I have been overwhelmed by your kindness and dedication to the success of Via Elisa and I hope you will continue to support the sauces as I streamline our business. I have always enjoyed delivering pasta to the people in the neighborhoods, markets and our store. I am confident I will enjoy promoting and selling our sauces as well.

A supply of Via Elisa pasta and ravioli is available at Whole Foods Markets here in Atlanta (as we have just shipped out a fresh batch). You know where to find it! We will also continue to accept your orders until October 16 and I hope you will stock up. Everything we make freezes well.

On a closing note I want to thank the incredible and dedicated staff of professionals who work here at Via Elisa. Without Dave, Tina, Bess, Noe, Maryland, Darnell and Dahlia, Via Elisa would not have been possible. Their dedication to Via Elisa has inspired me daily and has kept me going over the years. Their contribution to the business has been immeasurable. Please thank them when you come to the shop.

And please do come by, say hello and pick up your pasta, ravioli, sauces, meats, cheeses, vinegars and oils at least one last time. The store will be open and we will be here making pasta through Saturday, October 17, and we would love to see you.

As I have always said, a two-pasta day is a good day! And if you are looking for sauce, all of our 16-oz. sizes are still on sale at Whole Foods Markets in the South for only $3.49 until October 13th.


I am heartbroken.

good reading

Check out the Infinite Summer blog about Dracula.

Feeling defeated today but I'll get over it. Eventually.

A couple of weeks ago, I was freelancing at two printers located within 10 minutes drive from home. After either job, I'd go for in the required 1-2 hours a day at my old employer, who is still shutting down his business, to keep on the group insurance plan.
A couple of months ago, when I told him my mornings were going to be busy making ends meet at other places, he didn't bat an eye - and why should he? He's not busy enough to occupy me at his place and he shoos me out, when he's at work, if I am idle at my desk.
Then, about two weeks ago, he wanted a single job out in the morning (15 minutes work from process to plate) and called me all morning long trying to figure out how to pull up files, change type, and print. I eventually turned off my phone to stop answering questions at work and when I came in for that day it was no big deal. He left the job sitting on the table when he left to run the next day rather than that afternoon.

Neither of the companies I was working at have called me in or answered my calls and email since that day. It looks like both of those connections are dead now.

None of the places I've interviewed at have called again or responded to my follow-up emails and letters but those are separate matters. One was a very good interview at a place I'd like to be at but they did not have anything open at that time. I just need to stay in touch as best I can with them. The other is so far away that I would dread the commute nor do I think they would pay enough to make that commute justified.

At this point, I'd be happy to do anything just to keep myself occupied and my mind engaged.

timing

Yesterday was pretty nice despite being a bit off-time all day. We went to the Oakland Cemetary Day at the Park festival and met up with Fez, who was there with the unicycle. Saw several of our favorite people there. There were Confederate history displays and people in antebellum costumes. Eats from 6 Ft Under, The Varsity, Tin Lizzy's. Music everywhere. Steampunks and Goths. Open crypts. Very nice to see the restoration work goin on for the marble damaged by the storms and vandals and the new plantings and landscaping. They lost a lot of very interesting plants and ancient trees. Graves are still being restored. I hope they rebuild in the same materials and methods used in the park was originally. There was a lot of beautiful old stone work that I would hate to see replaced with brick or cement.

The sky clouded up and a light sprinkle started coming down, so I ran to the car to put my camera in a safe, dry place and grab a couple of umbrellas. Just as I'm walking back to the memorial park, sans camera, Atlanta Zombie Walk arrives.

After seeing Atlanta Zombie Walk stumble, creep, and drag themselves through the park, we left to make it to see ZombieLand but got tied up in construction traffic just long enough to be late for the movie so we skipped that and went home to the couch instead. I now wish we'd just stayed at Oakland a bit longer and enjoyed more of the musical performances and cheerful ambiance of the day but hindsight is 20-20, always. We still plan to see ZombieLand another night - so if anyone is interested in joining us, please let us know. It's always much more fun with friends.