Everyone has been complaining lately about the utterly deplorable suckfest that was 2010. I may have been too shell-shocked, too sleep-deprived and too baby-stoned to notice the surfeit of misery apparently all around me (oxytocin’s a helluva drug), but I really didn’t think last year was all that bad. Maybe I’ve been fortunate enough to have the new mom head-up-my-ass and was able to bypass that nonsense.
Regardless, I’ve seen fit to make a tiny resolution, being a new dawn, a new day (and I’m feeling good) and all that. I’ve decided that 2011 will be the year of More. Fuck Less. Less is so 2010. More is now, baby.
I say: More cheese. More baking. More gardening. More lipstick. More lard. More jazz. More storytelling. More “please, sir, I want some More.” Here you go, son, have at it.
This is tomato soup made from heirloom tomatoes that I grew and canned last summer, with a gossamer blob of tangy cream cheese floating atop. This is exactly what I mean – the world needs more of this. I don’t mean that the world needs more overambitious competimoms – those suck (and I also say “more compassion”), I mean the world needs more of “giving a shit,” of trying a little harder, just a little harder, to do things right. Right doesn’t come from a can or even an aseptic box with hospital corners (even though those are so tidy and easy). Sometimes Right comes from a big-ass glass jar on your overstacked pantry shelf because you took a little care a few months earlier, even as you cursed under your breath (or way over it) and nursed beeswax cream into the ulcers on your cuticles.
I know this isn’t for everyone, but as long as you’re doing more of your own amazing thing, I think you’ve got the right idea.
I love this and I’m with you. More of all the right things, please, and less of less for less’ sake!
2010 was fine. I’m thankful for the things we have and the things I’ve been able to do. 2011 will be better.
About DIY in the kitchen: the problem is that most people don’t know how or want to plan ahead, and if you do, they eye you with suspicion. I don’t do things myself because of some highbrow principle. I do it because it’s enjoyable, much like a stamp collector enjoys collecting stamps (an activity that sounds absolutely boring to me). My new favorite thing is baking bread. Got the Bread Bible for Christmas and have begun working my way through that.
Happy New Year!
My kitchen was a hot mess in September as I canned all things tomato and made epic amount of jelly. I did it all over again a month later for applesauce. A day of pain for a winter of pleasure is an equation I can get behind.
Also, 2009 sucked WAY worse than 2010.
YES! MORE MORE MORE! It is now or never! Happy New Year!
Well, I suppose with Congress 2010 sucked, but for me it was great. I went to national parks! I went to Paris! I did all kinds of fun stuff in 2010.
I admit I took on no real cooking challenges. Triyng to extend my skills with never-cooked-before-foods is so 2009!
I will take some more of that soup though.
Yeah, between Paul’s dad dying, a long period of unemployment and then getting work 6 hours north of here, 2010 sucked arse. I can even say it sucked dogs’ balls. Cheese, baking, gardening and lipstick do not suck at all and should be encouraged! This soup is awesome.
Bring on the “more-ness” I say. You always articulate things so well Heather! I’m glad to see your efforts of canning the heirlooms paid off months later. Wishing you and your family all the best for 2011!
Nishta – Less isn’t more. More is more.
Darlene – I have quick breads down pat, this is the year for yeast.
Jube – I was knocked up for the bulk of 2009. So again, a fog of hormones kept the suck off my radar.
Jenn – I wouldn’t say “it’s now or never,” I’d just say “sooner rather than later”
Rachel – 2011 is also about not needing to view every life moment through a foodie lens.
Alicia – Okay, you get a pass. 2010 definitely sucked hard, cold, dog balls for you. But 2011 is coming up roses, darling.
Petah – By my watch, you should be getting down to some canning of your own, right about now, yeah? Hugs and all that warm stuff to you, too.
Sweet. You have no idea how happy I am to have a new Voodoo post up for the New Year. More is definitely better. Cheers!
I’m with Eman, it’s great to see you posting again. I really missed the posts during your dry spell, but I understand you were a little busy. More is better and I’m trying very hard to cook good food while being much MORE healthly.
EXCELLENT new years outlook. This soup looks absolutely divine! There’s nothing better during the bleak chilly winter days than curling up with a big bowl of velvety tomato soup…especially with a side of warm, gooey grilled cheese!
Hell yeah! You know I can’t say that 2010 sucked for me, but it wasn’t that good either. I want MORE good for 2010! Love your blogs!
Charlene
I need more creative outlets, more time with friends and family and much more money in 2011. A year of more compassion and more love sounds good too of course:D
That beats Campbell’s Tomato Soup like a rented mule.
Eman – I don’t know who you are, but you’re beautiful.
Robert – Aw! Thanks, man. Na sdarovya.
Darcy – I did eat this with a grilled cheese, but I’ve already posted that combo and wanted to keep it “fresh.”
Charlene – Thanks for being the only one who has continued to read both of them.
Val – In the sage words of one Biggie Smalls, “mo’ money, mo’ problems.” Count your blessings.
Norm – It sure does.
Alright, Lady. It’s official. You can rule my universe. And I think it’s safe to say that you can start in 2011.
Looking forward to More.
I’m with you on more, especially more cheese. But I don’t have my shit together enough to can much. Maybe in 2011. But I doubt it. BTW, although I know homemade always beats storebought, I kinda like the tomato soup from the carton at Trader Joes. It reminds me of Spaghettios in a terrible, delicious way. Don’t judge me!
yep, gonna dip my toes into the canning/preserving world this year. i’ll start with pickling all kinds of shit, then see where it goes. more challenges, more fun, and more tomato soup!
Hello Heather, good to see you back. I just wanted to inform you of a delicious treat I recently tried that I thought you might like. It is Lucuma ice-cream. The Lucuma is a fruit from Peru that is usually unpalatable w/o sweetening, but when made into an ice-cream concoction it is magnificent and exotic. I discovered it a Latino market in the Southeast, so I don’t know if this applies to Oregon, but it would be worth a shot I believe to seek it out if you were so inclined. The flavor I would describe as a super-rich, milky butterscotch w/ hints of walnut and dates. It’s incredibly rich but also very crisp and refreshing at the same time, and is a wonderful option for dessert. Anyway, just wanted to throw that out, good luck w/ your cooking and your writing. Best wishes!
Love your writing and Attitude. Right On ! Bring on the good stuff, and lots more of it !
i grow great high-brix tomatoes, but haven’t delved into Canning Land…. care to share a favored approach ? many thanx cool mom….