The fridge breathes deep, mostly emptied of odds and ends ready for renewal in a whirl of call and response with the cook. An oversized Dutch Oven dozes on the right front burner, still-winter sun sliding behind the trees.     

For hours, the pot’s been transforming scraps of beef, onions sautéed in virgin olive oil, chopped garlic, carrots, peas, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes and herbs, and sweet potatoes into a fragrant stew. A thick flour and butter roux, browned and nourished with beef broth, further enhanced by a secret family ingredient that is not wine and that I will not share here (I’d have to kill you), is stirred into the sleepy pot.

My friends tell me I write food porn.

The cat adjusts the bib of his fur tuxedo, stretching long, each toe articulated with claws extended, before rising to stroll and curl into the next patch of sunlight. The heat helps his arthritis; on cloudy days he hunkers down in a thick wad of wool blanket, when my lap is not available.

Laptops and lap cats are not always compatible.

Twilight cools the street-side windows, and I pull heavy curtains to protect against the January chill. The stew keeps on stewing, and I taste and discover a moderate scoop of cream cheese is needed for a more velvety smoothness. Small wedges of sourdough focaccia sit, tender and demure, in a brown bowl, rescued from the loneliness of the 1970’s-era freezer in the basement. Usually reserved for soup, they’ll be happy to sop up the stew, which now tweaks my nose and rattles my belly, telling me it’s time for the jubilee.

It’s time to celebrate new beginnings from old ingredients. Not an anniversary per se, but a recommitment to what’s most important, especially in the face of so much upsetting adversity.

I know you know, friends.

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2025)

Just Jot January Day 26– Prompt: JUBILEE from Liz H-H. Hey! Itsa me: Liz!!
Be sure to visit Linda’s blog to see what other folks have done with the prompt, or add your own!
https://lindaghill.com/2025/01/26/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-26th-2025/