At a recent SlowMama brunch, I snapped this picture of a charcuterie plate my contributors and I shared. None of us were crazy about the smoked venison (the purplish bit in the upper right corner), but the bacon jam was pretty neat, and the sugar-cured salmon was tasty — not to mention the accompanying cheeses.
Ten years ago, it was rare to see charcuterie on a restaurant menu — at least, not to the extent I see it now. It’s a common way of eating in places like Spain and Italy, of course, but here in North America the rise of the local food movement has inspired butchers, restaurateurs, hunters, and home cooks alike to use quality meats and game in creative ways, and to let those meaty morsels shine on their own.
Is charcuterie something you’d ever order? I realize if you’re a vegan or vegetarian, you’re probably out the door already, but I hope you’ll stick around for a drink I think you’ll love: a mixed berry and fig Old Fashioned.
I don’t like whiskey, but this drink by Naomi Robinson – a writer, photographer, and blogger at Bakers Royale – had me at “mixed berries and figs.” It would be just the kind of drink I’d want to try with a charcuterie plate — or no plate at all. So, with one of these in hand, here’s my high and low of the week:
High: Attending a 4-hour homeschooling workshop on Wednesday given by a panel of adoptive parents. Not only was it informative — since we’re beginning to think about what kind of schooling we want to do — it was my longest time away from the girls. Which felt weird, but also nice. They did well with our very competent and caring friend until B returned home from work, but…
Low: …it was clear a little later in the evening that having both B and me gone still triggers their attachment issues. While they’re attaching and adjusting very well, this stuff takes time. They’ve had many female caregivers come and go over the past 9 months, and it doesn’t take much to confuse them. It deflated me a bit, but sometimes you can’t gauge where things are until you experiment.
As for my bonus question, I’m still thinking about charcuterie… In that vein, I’m wondering if you’ve ever raised an animal for food. If so, what was the animal, and how was the experience?
I haven’t done it myself, but when I was growing up, my parents raised animals on and off for dairy (goats), eggs (chickens), and meat (cows, pigs, and turkeys). I remember sitting down to hamburgers one evening and someone said, “This is Barney.” We all went silent. After that, I don’t think we named the cows that would eventually land on our table.
Okay, your turn. What was your high this week? How about your low? And what about animal husbandry?
Image: Zoe Saint-Paul
Hello, I'm Zoe Saint-Paul. I'm a writer, life coach, and new mama to twins who's trying to live "slower" in a speed-obsessed world. Here we chat about life and love, food and design, and everything in between -- all at the right pace. So grab some tea, pull up a chair, and join the conversation. Feel free to 
So frustrating when highs and lows mash together like that! Hope everything’s settled back to normal with the girls…
My high: Having a 65-degree day this week, on which I got to visit with a litter of twelve eight-week-old puppies. I don’t think I need to explain this one.
Low: Having to say goodbye to my sister’s family after their visit last weekend. Those visits are always too short!
BQ: I’ve never raised animals for meat, but I’m intrigued… I’d have to start really, really small, tough — two or three chickens max for eggs, and then maybe work myself up to meat birds, etc. Not sure I see myself raising anything much bigger, though; I’m happy to leave that to the professionals.
Ooooh, forgot about that crazy warm day… definitely a nice reprise from typical January weather.
I’m not a big charcuterie fan, but our favorite local place, Clementine, is known for their house-made charcuterie. Someday when you’re up for a mama date, we could check it out!
That’s great that you were able to learn some more about homeschooling AND enjoy some child-free time this week. And that’s a big step to take, having someone else care for the girls for a large chunk of time. While there were some challenges after that, hopefully they will learn that it’s safe to have someone else watch them sometime, because you will always come back.
On that front, my high of the week was meeting with my boss and arranging a three-day work week for when I return to work in April. I think my low goes along with that, in realizing that I need to seriously work on finding a child care provider. It will be good in the end, but I’m sure it’s going to be tough on all of us at first!
I’ve never raised any animals for food, but I’ve always thought it would be cool to have some chickens for eggs!
How great to get your new work week scheduled! It will be a tough transition, no doubt, but just fine once everyone’s adjusted.
High: Took some awesome pictures to be made into my children’s Valentine cards. (Blog post on that soon.)
Low: Had to ground my daughter this morning because she didn’t do her homework this week. I hate doing this because grounding her is also punishing the rest of us who will have to put up with her mopey whining.
Bonus: My family raises cattle. Similar to you, I named one of the cows. My dad wanted to teach me a lesson, so he wrote the name on a package of frozen meat. Cruel? Yes. But it taught me not to get attached.
That is really funny about your dad labeling the package!
Ha! Your dad sounds a lot like my dad. Probably just as well that we didn’t raise any cows!
I’ll take the special!
Low: Finally starting to feel like I’m 37 weeks pregnant. Guess it’s time to start slowing down.
High: I brought dinner to some new parents, hosted my son’s godparents for dinner, had another friend over for dinner another night, attended two play dates, and visited my brother. Maybe that’s why I’m pooped.
BQ: I’ve never raised animals, but I like the idea of having a few goats and chickens.
I think you deserve to get those feet up before this baby comes. Well, as much as you can, anyway…
I’ve never tried charcuterie, but will be looking for it next time I see it offered!
Low: Not slowing down enough this week to stop and smell the roses. It’s just been a busy week, but hopefully some down time will come on Sunday.
High: Date night tonight with my hubs! We’re going to a craft beer tasting event, so he is like a kid waiting for Christmas. We get to taste all types & kinds of innovative brews – most of them are only available for this event. Fun event + time away with him = very excited. Even if we probably won’t get above zero today in Mpls!
BQ: I’ve never raised animals — no thanks!
That sounds like a fun date night, Kari, even though I don’t like beer!
Zoe-
I do not come and check this space often and was so glad I did today to see that your adoption is complete! (Yes, it has been that long since I checked). I am so happy for you both! As Pete (you know my husband, Peter Murphy) and I are just beginning the process of an international adoption and I just went to Created for Care, an adoption retreat, I have learned so much about attachment and what can happen, etc in that first year. And, I am glad to hear that that homeschooling even went well! I almost went BECAUSE it was run by families who have adopted. We homeschool now, but I would have loved to have met homeschooling families who have adopted and to hear how it all works together.
How neat to hear you’re adopting! Learning about attachment issues can be overwhelming, but my main motto throughout was “Prepare for the worst; hope for the best.” I learned it from other adoptive parents and it served us well. Happy to be a resource for you if you need it!
The drink looks great — and reminds me of some fig chutney I saw a recipe for and wanted to try…
Lows (2, sadly): #1 — a trip home from visiting family that started spectacularly well and ended…spectacularly badly. The only thing that could have made that one-dang-thing-after-another trip any worse is if the (overcrowded, smelly, noisy) taxi we rode home from the airport in at 2am had spontaneously burst into flames.
Low #2 — taking my sweet, smiley 5-month-old to get his blood drawn this afternoon. He cried and struggled, but he didn’t scream and mommy didn’t faint. I had had fears about both. Still, I couldn’t *believe* how much I hated the whole thing!
High: Said 5-month-old has entered a new developmental stage and is becoming affectionate with daddy and mommy! Just this week he started hugging me around the neck and pressing his open mouth against my face. I die.
No experience with raising animals for meat. There are some things I like about city life!
Oh, I can feel your pain over that blood draw visit… I have to take our girls for blood work soon and have been putting it off because I’m so nervous.
And yay for affectionate, cuddly stages!
The Low: Hospital trip and minor surgery, but that led to the …
The High: People cooking delicious soups, salads, breads and desserts for my family this week, while I park it on the couch. I feel like I may need to come up with another emergency situation just to keep the goodies coming. Kidding, kidding.
Bonus Question: I used to be a vegetarian so while I do enjoy meat now, I am so far from slaughtering my own meat. I do hope to have some chicken some day for the eggs. Farm fresh eggs are the best! I’ve got a couple of cool ideas for a chicken coop, I’m filing away for that someday!
1. http://www.thefancyfarmgirl.com/heres-the-coop/
2. http://inthralld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/100000-Heritage-Hen-Mini-Farm-for-Neiman-Marcus-3.jpg
Boo to surgery! (I mean, the actual surgery part, not the making-you-better part.) So glad you’ve got plenty of friends to shower you with food — which is, of course, the best expression of friendship. Feel better soon!
Isn’t it the best to have homemade food delivered to your doorstep? Sorry it was because of surgery, though!
High: A student presentation in which she talked about the way that our (bachelor of science) program changed her perception of herself. I cried listening, I cried later telling the Dean about it, and I am tearing up now thinking of it. It reminded me how deeply grateful I am to be part of this program where I get to work with and learn from such amazing, awesome people.
Low: A rotten Shakespeare teacher who gave awesome lines and then took too many of them away for no reason two days later, demonstrating and emphasizing her devastating lack of confidence in my Shakespeare-loving seven year old. Angry mama bear week. Getting the lines back didn’t help; I wonder whether I need to pull her now to preserve her self-confidence or let her learn resilience from unfairness. Yucky decision.
BQ: Been a vegetarian for 25 years and am raising two more non meat eaters; ’nuff said!
It does continually sound like you have the greatest job ever.
And tough decision about what to do with your budding thespian. What did you decide?
Hey Zoe,
I know a fella here in Tata who SWEARS by the tasty goodness of bacon jam. He was trying to sell me on it…but I haven’t tried it…yet. He uses a recipe from Chef Michael Smith, who is a P.E.I. chef and who also has a food network show and a couple of cookbooks. Just thought I’d send that tidbit along for any of your readers who may be curious.
You need to try bacon jam, sis!
I’ve tried it and it was yummy! It goes well with pan seared jumbo scallops….