Thursday, September 9, 2010

En Route



About a year ago, in the midst of last year's high holy days, I published a list of what I want in old age.

1. A husband
2. Eat-in kitchen
3. Two dogs
4. A porch with rockers
5. Stars

I still like this list.

And I'm making headway towards these goals. I now have an eat-in kitchen. I have two rockers, though no porch yet. The other night, sitting out in the front yard here at the chateau, I distinctly saw the little dipper overhead. The stars were rather dim, of course - all the ambient light of a big city blocks out most starlight. So the dipper wasn't clear and sparkly, but the stars were there. How exciting!

Not only do I now have an eat-in kitchen, but I'm generating some serious kitchen mojo of late. I love cooking here at the chateau - it's a perfect space. But just because I love it is no guarantee of anything. Cooking is an art - and yeah it's science, too, but the unpredictable aspect of cooking is what interests me most these days. Whatever kind of magic it takes to produce really delicious food is with me right now. Very cool!

A little bit later this morning, I will meet my music teacher and begin playing bass guitar. I am so jazzed. Playing the bass will give me something to do when I'm old, after dinner in the eat-in kitchen with my husband. I'll sit in a rocker on the porch under the stars, my two dogs at my feet, playing the bass.

Can you see it? I really can, clear as a bell. Onwards and upwards, oh yeah!!

32 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy bass guitar playing! So happy for you.

Reya Mellicker said...

THanks John! Coming from you it means a lot!!

Tess Kincaid said...

Your new kitchen is so pleasant and welcoming, the perfect spot to do some culinary wizardry. I feel it beckoning a husband. Oh yeah.

Reya Mellicker said...

Willow, may it be true! A year ago, the idea of my own eat-in kitchen seemed so remote, but look, here it is, fully manifested.

Cheryl Cato said...

Good for you in taking up the bass guitar. I definitely can see a husband sitting on a stool in the kitchen chopping veggies & watching the lovely Reya concoct something special. I love your kitchen; it is soooo inviting!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

A perfect list I think. What have you been cooking up in your fabulous and chef friendly kitchen Reya?

jeanette from everton terrace said...

A perfect list I think. What have you been cooking up in your fabulous and chef friendly kitchen Reya?

ellen abbott said...

I see it clearly. upwards and onwards!

Reya Mellicker said...

Last night I made organic pork chops baked in a smoky chipotle sauce, served with green poblano rice and a nice salad. Thank you Rick Bayliss!

Dessert was a little corn flour, fruit covered, almond paste enriched little cake, a la Deborah Madison.

Thank god for the chefs!! What would I do without their cookbooks??

Reya Mellicker said...

Please - all of you - come for dinner or coffee in the morning or a drink. Come ring the doorbell. Seriously, you are all invited.

NanU said...

That kitchen does look inviting. Love the birdy clock!
I can see you both there, rocking, large dog on the porch floor, smallish dog on your lap & trying to play bass around it. Or does one have to stand up to play bass? It's true there are not many chairs on stage...

C.M. Jackson said...

love your new kitchen and your list--sounds like your new year is off to a great start!! enjoy the bass playing!!

Angela said...

I`m coming for some tea, Reya. I`ll bring my home-made yeast snails! Does your kitchen always look so neat and tidy, or was it just for the photo?

Linda Sue said...

Bass, yes, rockers, yes a porch Understandable but a HUSBAND??? Your kitchen looks inviting and relaxed, charming- You have put yourself into it, I see.

Kerry said...

You have a good start on your list and with your new year. Plus you are playing the bass! The bass is a collaborative instrument, and much in demand; who knows what paths it will lead you down?

Reya Mellicker said...

Just finished my first bass lesson. I am intimidated, but determined. I am a RANK beginner, whoa. More to say on that but not here.

There are times when my kitchen is slightly more of a mess, also times when it's a lot cleaner than today. There are still remnants of last night's feast lurking in corners I haven't gotten to yet.

Most of the time I'm very clean. Clean house, clean mind. Maybe!

Sherry O'Keefe said...

your post reminded me that i've always wanted that front porch, too. and the rockers. your post reminds me, i've always had the stars.

but wow, that kitchen of yours! and what you are cooking!

bass - oh yeah boy! you'll be hearing bass lines now for years to come.


encouraged,

sherry

Jo said...
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Tom said...

glad the new place is everything you hoped for!

Jo said...

Great list, great photos, great kitchen, great post!

I love that you set your intentions as a list. That makes it so tangible.

Here's to cooking up some great meals, great music, great times, and every other great wish on your list...L'Chaim! xoxo

Reya Mellicker said...

It's more of a wish list, or even less than that, my vision of what would make me happy.

But what do I know? I will say the eat-in kitchen is working for me right now. Oh yeah.

Reya Mellicker said...

The bass IS a collaborative instrument. Oh yeah.

ShirleyAnn said...

Great list and I love your kitchen.

Cyndy said...

If you have a chance to eat in Reya's lovely kitchen, I highly recommend it!

Yes, bass is definitely a collaborative instrument. I know you'll be making sweet music with somebody or other, one of these days. And if you serve him something with that rice accompanying it you'll be all set!

Reya Mellicker said...

Glad you enjoyed lunch today, Cyndy. The poblano infused green rice is very special. Yum!! xx

steven said...

reya the blue glass windows - they are blue glass aren't they? oh i couldn't breathe for wonder. i love blue glass so much. i went inside the cathedral in berlin - it's a tower made of blue glass. even the air turns blue. your home is so easy to see. so easy . . . it has that great quality i rarely feel of home entirely infused with the youness of the occupant(s). i remember your list. i remember thinking how very brave to wish for so much but that's how things manifest: slowly, carefully, rightly, and lovingly. i played bass for two years in a band. i've not thought about that for some time. it was so very good fun. steven

Reya Mellicker said...

You did, Steven? Wow.

I too love blue glass. My windows are clear but compared to the warm inside light, they appear blue.

Would love to see you seated at my table, drinking tea. Wow. That would be something!

Reya Mellicker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
California Girl said...

you do have a nice space in which to create. it's cozy and efficient and i like the way you have your essential oils and spices and herbs at hand.

Gary said...

Yes, I can see it! How wonderful.

Lisa Ursu said...

I LOVE the bass Reya, in fact I own one myself, though I haven't played it in a long time. My hubby is a musician, so we have a keyboard, and a few guitars around too. We jam and have a great time even though I am such an amateur! We bought a handy recorder yesterday, so our sessions can now be recorded to giggle at.
I am happy for you Reya, and golly you are a gorgeous woman!

Reya Mellicker said...

Liza thanks! I can't imagine playing with other people, but I'm told that this is definitely a part of being a bass player. It is not a solo instrument. Hmmm