this is a difficult post to write. Originally, it was all about how often we dream of a life and like to pretend we live one different to our own. I've got this whole English countryside thing going, since I do live in the middle of nowhere. I have this little ideal that I throw fabulous dinner parties, tromp about the countryside with my dog, wear full-length dresses like some character in an Evelyn Waugh novel. My home has turned into some personal variation on the club room at some pretend, Americanized version of the English upper-class country home. Actually, my personal tastes run to stacks of books and Art Deco racing posters, dark wood, leather and photographs. It's all pretty cohesive, real life and pretend. The clothes and menu in post was originally inspired by my home style and an editorial spread and interview with actress Rosamund Pike in the November Town & Country.
Then the other love of my personal life struck. I greatly enjoy motorsport and write a race report for each Formula 1 race at Formula1Blog, and covered the 2011 World Superbike season at Asphalt & Rubber. I also try to watch MotoGP and IndyCar racing as well. Alas, Sunday's season finale at Las Vegas brought forth one of the great tragedies of recent racing history.
Dan Wheldon, this year's Indianapolis 500 winner, who also won that race and the IndyCar championship in 2005, passed away Sunday. He sustained horrible injuries in a massive accident just twelve laps into the season finale at Las Vegas, an accident that also involved fourteen other cars. The incredibly sad thing is, Wheldon didn't have a full season contract with a team. He was racing for the five million dollar prize offered for a win to a non-series regular, which he had offered to share with a fan, should he have won the race. He was only thirty-three. It sort of put lots of things into perspective for many people.
Though I never met Wheldon, his passing touched many and the sadness and shock of those who did was palpable even through a television screen. He passed while doing what he loved, and it serves as a reminder that a life spent wasted thinking of dreams is still a life wasted. I've been thinking for a while about how my life is really rather fun. I've got all the standard great friends, great family, a job I love, a few hobbies that keep me busy, and use just a wee bit of that pretend in my clothes.
It's time to stop pretending and begin realizing that my life might be a fantasy to some who are considerably less fortunate. Despite recently (and not really because of Wheldon's death, it simply provides a touchstone to talk about it) deciding that life is far more about living than dreaming, I do believe that a bit of dreaming in some aspect of one's life is necessary to live it to the fullest.
For me, comfort food is easy, simple, and often requires a bit of time in the oven. One of the classics, despite often appearing difficult, is a roast chicken. It perfectly combines the sort of comfort so many are looking for now, along with being of an elegant variety. Once you add the mashed potatoes, homemade noodles, cranberry sauce, peas, and any other favorite side, it's a meal fit for a large number but easy as the proverbial pie.
Roast Chicken
1 roasting chicken
3-5 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons kosher salt
cracked pepper
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 stalk celery
1 carrot
1/2 medium onion
2 cloves garlic
Remove any innards from the chicken, filling the inner cavity with the cleaned carrot, celery, onion, and peeled garlic. You many need to cut the former three into pieces to fit into the bird. Then, slather the butter on the top (breast side) of the bird. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and rosemary on top of the butter, then place the bird in a large cast iron dutch oven (an enameled cast iron baking dish, high-sided cast iron skillet, or any other roasting pan that will fit the bird, that has a lid, will also work). Roast the chicken for one hour at 425 degrees, then turn the oven down to 375 for the final hour, or until the bird is done (the proper internal temperature, and the juices running clear). A chicken over six pounds will require a longer cooking time. That is it. Simple.
"Be well. Do good work. Keep in touch." - Garrison Keillor
Dan Wheldon, this year's Indianapolis 500 winner, who also won that race and the IndyCar championship in 2005, passed away Sunday. He sustained horrible injuries in a massive accident just twelve laps into the season finale at Las Vegas, an accident that also involved fourteen other cars. The incredibly sad thing is, Wheldon didn't have a full season contract with a team. He was racing for the five million dollar prize offered for a win to a non-series regular, which he had offered to share with a fan, should he have won the race. He was only thirty-three. It sort of put lots of things into perspective for many people.
Though I never met Wheldon, his passing touched many and the sadness and shock of those who did was palpable even through a television screen. He passed while doing what he loved, and it serves as a reminder that a life spent wasted thinking of dreams is still a life wasted. I've been thinking for a while about how my life is really rather fun. I've got all the standard great friends, great family, a job I love, a few hobbies that keep me busy, and use just a wee bit of that pretend in my clothes.
It's time to stop pretending and begin realizing that my life might be a fantasy to some who are considerably less fortunate. Despite recently (and not really because of Wheldon's death, it simply provides a touchstone to talk about it) deciding that life is far more about living than dreaming, I do believe that a bit of dreaming in some aspect of one's life is necessary to live it to the fullest.
For me, comfort food is easy, simple, and often requires a bit of time in the oven. One of the classics, despite often appearing difficult, is a roast chicken. It perfectly combines the sort of comfort so many are looking for now, along with being of an elegant variety. Once you add the mashed potatoes, homemade noodles, cranberry sauce, peas, and any other favorite side, it's a meal fit for a large number but easy as the proverbial pie.
1 roasting chicken
3-5 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons kosher salt
cracked pepper
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 stalk celery
1 carrot
1/2 medium onion
2 cloves garlic
Remove any innards from the chicken, filling the inner cavity with the cleaned carrot, celery, onion, and peeled garlic. You many need to cut the former three into pieces to fit into the bird. Then, slather the butter on the top (breast side) of the bird. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and rosemary on top of the butter, then place the bird in a large cast iron dutch oven (an enameled cast iron baking dish, high-sided cast iron skillet, or any other roasting pan that will fit the bird, that has a lid, will also work). Roast the chicken for one hour at 425 degrees, then turn the oven down to 375 for the final hour, or until the bird is done (the proper internal temperature, and the juices running clear). A chicken over six pounds will require a longer cooking time. That is it. Simple.
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