The Weekly Newsletter for October 15-19, 2012

Jenna is coming - THIS THURSDAY the 18th
Jenna "sparkle babe" Lindbo is on the East Coast and more specifically, in Asheville for the next couple of weeks. And - tra la! - she's going to come do a house concert here on Thursday, October 18th at 7 pm.
 
She has a new CD and, since she had her first CD release party here, it seems fitting that her second will be here too.
 
If you have not heard her voice, visit her website (follow the link right below these words) and DO plan to change whatever plans you may have for that night to come here for this very special evening.
 
There is no cover charge for this house concert, but her CDs will be on sale and a tip jar will await your contributions (hint, hint.)


Thanksgiving Menu - as promised
Here's Henry, who spent Columbus day with us last week.  He made apple pies with Kris - this one was for him.  CUTE!!!!
 
Okay doke, folks.  Yes, we are doing Thanksgiving dinner to go this year.  We make dinners on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving.  Here is this year's menu.  (yes, we give you warming instructions...fear not!)
 
Turkey with Fresh Herbs and White Wine
Mushroom Gravy
Red Skin Mashed Potatoes with Chives
Green Bean Casserole with Mushrooms and Crispy Onions
Butternut Squash with Kale
Jubilee Cranberry Chutney
Marty's Rolls
Pumpkin Pie or Pecan Pie or Apple Pie (choose a slice or get whole pies).
 
The entire dinner will be 25.95 (+tax)
Yes, you can buy just parts if you like. And you can get whole turkeys or just slices - depending on your preference.  Call us at 252-1500 to place your order.


Dinners to go for the week
Monday, October 15
Chicken Parmesan 8.25
 
Tuesday, October 16
Spanikopita with Greek Chickpea Salad 8.25
 
Wednesday, October 17
Braised Spareribs and Collard Greens 8.50 (GF)
 
Thursday, October 18
Chicken Croquettes with Local Applesauce 7.95
 
Friday, October 19
Pan-fried Shrimp with Parmesan-roasted Broccoli 9.50 (GF)
 
Call by noon and we'll have your dinner ready at 3. You can stop by to pick yours up until we close at 7. Add Salad (3.25) or bread (1.25) if you like.

Laurey's


Casserole and Lasagnas to go
Casserole to go:
 
Wednesday, October 17
Local Beef and Vegetable Tamale Pie
Whole: 65 Half: 32.50
 
Lasagna to go:
 
Friday, October 19
Chicken and Herbed Ricotta Lasagna
Whole: 60.50 Half: 30.25
 
Call by noon and then come pick up between 3 and 7


Charlotte styles a Stewed Apples
We had another photo shoot this past weekend.  One more to go!  Here is a snap of Charlottte, the food stylist (yes, I need her!) as she coaxes an errant apple slice into position.  Her most used tools are tweezers, tiny scissors, and eye droppers. Amazing.  I just lie down on the bench and wait.  She and Johnny do the rest - until it is time for the next recipe.


Preparing
It's a funny thing - letting Charlotte and Johnny do their work.  They've been a team for a long time (even though they are very young) and they quietly go about their work, speaking quietly to each other.  I wait and then, when I get the signal, I pull the next shot from the oven or slice some fruit or try to be useful.
 
They could do the whole thing without me, I suspect, but they humor me by telling me how helpful I am being.


Johnny primps the pears
I make the food and they arrange it, wiping away tiny spots, fingerprints, dust motes.  We end up with lovely pictures.  Tra la.


The big board
This is how they keep track of the shots, the flow, the whole project.  There is a progression, darker backgrounds in the colder months and lighter ones as the temperatures heat up.
 
I find this very exciting.  As the duo tweaks the shots, I find myself sitting, watching the incremental changes they make and musing on the big board.  This book project is a very big one.  I really had no idea what it took, even though I've been around books and writing and such all my life.  My mother's books never had photographs, so this element is completely new.  And very fun!


A word or two from Laurey
October 15, 2012
Hiya. Sorry to be a bit late this week. I spent Saturday asleep and Sunday working on my book. And though I had all the best intentions for getting to this newsletter, my sleepy body prevailed and now, here it is Monday afternoon. Ah well.
 
This is a very big week for me. On Friday I fly to Austin, Texas for a very special weekend in the presence of my mentors and heroes at Livestrong, Lance Armstrong’s foundation for cancer survivors. You know that I raised a lot of money for Livestrong (thanks to so many of you) and so I have been invited to attend three big days of events, bike rides, dinners, gala events, and casual gatherings with folks I was supposed to ride with this summer.
 
It is hard to read all the negative press that is circulating these days about Lance. I read the stories and return to my personal feelings about how much good he has done, and continues to do for folks like me. Up until a couple of weeks ago I had the gift of talking to a Livestrong counselor, sharing with her my darkest moments. She always helped me to re-emerge from those places, and has supported me in innumerable ways – even though we have not met – yet. I’ll get to give her a hug this weekend.
 
And my ride mentor from the Iowa ride will be there. He advised me as I grappled with the decision about riding. Ultimately he said that I needed to take care of myself and that might not include riding across Iowa this summer. In the same note he told me I’d qualified for an invitation to Austin for a “very inspirational weekend.” That note lifted me way up on a dark day. I am very much looking forward to meeting him in person, thanking him for his boosts, and telling him how much of a difference he made to me this summer.
 
I now have just four treatments left. In the hard weeks, that seems to be an overwhelming number, but today, heading into an easy week, I talk to myself and try to listen to my pep talks. I can do this. I am doing this. It is hard, but I am almost done. And I get to meet my inspiration this week.
 
On Saturday we top fundraisers get to do a short ride with Lance and then get a brief session with him. I’m very much looking forward to telling him how much he means to me. My nurse said, the other day, “He should not have made it. He IS a medical miracle.” His example, of getting through unimaginably hard times, shines for me. I want to tell him that. I know he’s heard it from a lot of other people, but I want to tell him myself.
 
And in the meantime – well, for me, right now, that’s my big story. I will tell you stories and will show you pictures when I get back. Thank you all for supporting me and for giving to Livestrong. There are lots of angles to any story. For me, the most important part is that somebody is devoting his life to helping people like me. He is boosting me up. No matter what.


Henry and Adam cooking
Have you ever seen anything cuter?  Adam is our Monday chef and, since Henry's school was closed for Columbus Day, we got the two Thome men in the kitchen.  Henry graced us with his presence for about 5 hours - stunning to me that his concentration was so steady. 
 
Stay tuned for more culinary delights as young Henry follows the lead of his sweet Dad.

Laurey's Catering and gourmet to go • 67 Biltmore Avenue • Asheville • NC • 28801