Tay's Chicken Noodle Soup

This is an extremely adaptable and forgiving recipe. I improvised it based on what I had at hand, but you could adapt it. For example, by using dark meat or a whole chicken rather than white meat. And using Turkey stock was totally a product of necessity--we had some leftover in the fridge. So think of it more as a guideline...

Tay's Chicken Noodle Soup

Serves 4
Ingredients
2 Quarts Turkey stock
1 Quart Chicken stock
Bouquet Garni
Garlic Clove
2 Medium skinless bone-in chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
3 Medium carrots
3 Celery stalks
1 Small to medium onion
3 Tbs. Butter (in three slices)
1 Tbs. All purpose flour
12 Oz. package of egg noodles

Method
Put you meat out on the counter so that it is room temperature before you get to the stage of prepping it.

Get the stocks simmering in a large pot on the stove over medium low heat. Add the Bouquet garni and garlic. If the stock is thin, allow a long time to reduce, otherwise, reduce to taste, adding salt and other seasonings to taste as it develops over the course of the following steps.

Preheat over to 400 degrees F. Liberally salt and pepper both sides of the chicken breasts and place them breast-side-down in a 10" to 12" stainless steel (oven-proof) skillet. Put in oven.

Slice carrots, celery, and onion into relatively small (1/8") slices.

After about 15 minutes, beginning checking the chicken frequently. If you are uncertain, use a kitchen thermometer to check doneness--you want to take them out of the oven just this side of 175 degrees F at the thickest point. It's easy to over cook a chicken breast, so beware. When it's finished, remove and set aside for a few minutes (at least 5-10) before carving meat off the bone. Cut the meat into bite-size pieces and set aside. Put leftover carcasses and any pan juices in the simmering stock.

Put 1 Tbsp. butter into the skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter begins to bubble, add the carrots and saute until the carrots begin to brown slightly on edges. Pour them (and whatever liquid is left in the skillet) into the pot.

Put the next Tbsp. pat of butter into the skillet over medium-high heat to saute the celery and onion. When they become translucent, toss them and their juice into the pot.

Put the final Tbsp pat of butter in the skillet and turn heat down to medium-low. As the bubbling of the butter subsides and the color just begins to change, sprinkle flour onto the flour and begin to whisk. Cook this roux for about a minute, whisking continuously. Before it burns, laddle in a bit of the boiling broth and whisk it in. Incorporate another laddle-full of broth. You should see something like gravy in your skillet. Try to scrape off any of the charred bits from the pan.

Remove the two carcasses and the bouquet garni from the stock pot. The garlic clove can remain as a bonus for a guest. Pour the contents of the skillet into the stock pot. Add chicken pieces and egg noodles, too. Simmer for about 10 minutes until noodles are done. Correct spice balance of the soup as necessary.

Laddle into bowls and garnish with parsley.

Notes
Simmering your stocks long enough results in a ridiculously rich and delicious broth. Just be careful about ending up with something too salty. Salt should be added in increments throughout the development of the dish, not just all at once at the beginning or end.

Using turkey stock left over from Thanksgiving added an interest complexity to the dish, but was totally optional.

The roux added a little more thinkness and richness to the broth, but is also completely optional.

This was a good dish to serve on a blustering Toronto winter night with a sick kid in the house and a 24-hour fire in the living room!

-t

Ode to Pseudophedrine

O Pseudophedrine, for a thousand dry mouths to praise your excellent character, your superb effectiveness, your quick action. Thou clever diastereomer of ephedrine, you indirectly affect the adrenergic receptor system to make my nose dry and snot-free. Indeed, thy elixir-of-dryness powers prevent fluid from leaving all my nasal blood vessels to fill inflamed tissue.

My heart doth quicken in response to thee, O Pseudophedrine, whether thou commest under the name of Sudafed, Actifed, Contac, or partnered with other muses of cold relief such as your coy friends guaifenesin, dextromethorphan and acetaminophen.

But thou art a fickle mistress of the drippy nose, and art known to inhabit dens of ill repute to be transformed into thy wicked cousin, Methamphetamine. Be true to me, O greatest phenethylamine, my nose doth drip without thee.

-t

A Rainy Friday

Got up Thursday morning to kind of blustery day here in Toronto. I started my day off with a trip to the Doctor. He doesn't want to give me anything for my cough until it's been around for a week or two.

I knew I had an appointment in the afternoon, but nothing else to do at the office, so I decided to spend the morning working from home. Techie that I am, I can do most of my office tasks using just my old laptop at home. We do our liturgical planning, for example, using a Google Docs spread sheet. Each Sunday (or major feast) gets a row. The columns contain notes about what the readings are, hymn selections, who is preaching, what we are doing with the kids that Sunday, and other details. All the COTM staff can log in with a username and password from any computer on the Internet and make notes and changes. No more passing around xeroxed planning documents or e-mail attachments back and forth. It makes coordinating multiple staff assignments on Sunday mornings MUCH easier. I also use Google Calendar to track my personal appointments and task lists, which I can also access from anywhere.

So I got a fire going in the fireplace and went to work answering e-mails and reading. The cats kept me company. Betsy worked upstairs. After lunch I went into the office to do some meetings and take care of other tasks. One of these meetings was with a student from Wycliffe Seminary that wants to be a Theological Intern with us this year. I'm very pleased to have him on board. I don't want to announce his name and so forth until I introduce him to the congregation a week for Sunday.

After meeting with him I spent some time with Eric talking music and plans. He continues to impress me with his knowledge and ideas about church music. When I was at Holy Cross I picked a book called The Emergent Psalter by Isaac Everett. The book's blurb will give you a sense what that's about:

Many alternative and emerging church communities have begun exploring ancient music and liturgical traditions despite a lack of high-quality, published liturgical music which does not require (or even desire) an organ and a four-part choir. The Emergent Psalter serves to provide that resource. Featuring music written for two emerging communities (Transmission in New York and Church of the Apostles in Seattle), this book is an excellent resource for anyone producing an alternative worship service or thinking of starting one. (source)

Not surprisingly, Isaac is friends with Emily Scott--who does the Paperless Singing stuff in NYC. Emily and I overlapped at Yale a few years ago. Anyway, Isaac does some really interesting things with these Psalms. On the one hand he is deeply invested in the tradition--Gregorian Chant and also the Hebrew approach to the Psalms. But then he let's the Word manifest in an new way in its new context. You can get a sense of what I mean by listening to his podcast. Every week he takes the Psalm appointed in the Lectionary and shows how to do it in his style.

So Eric and I had a nice talk about music and some of our ideas about how to develop liturgy at Messiah. Lots of good stuff in the works!

Today it was rainy and cold. I slept in hoping it would help the cough go away (it didn't) and read some of my childbirth/parenting books. Then I went on a pastoral visit. Now I'm home with Betsy with a nice fire and cats-on-laps. Life is good.

-t

Girl from the North Country

Betsy and I have been lying low and alternating between "chillaxing" and being sick. First she was sick. Then I was sick. Now she is sick again. Nor are we alone--it seems like there are more colds going around this season than last. No idea why--hard to blame the economy.

Right now I'm wrapping up church and looking forward to the NFL Playoffs. Today when I preached I used a call-and-response refrain: "Love is the answer" with the congregation. It seemed to work pretty well. I'd like to integrate some other new techniques into my preaching skill set, as well. It's important to keep developing as a preacher.

Ever heard the song "Girl from the North Country"? It was originally written by Bob Dylan and was inspired by the folk songs he explored while visiting England in the 1960's. The version I've been listening to is by Sam Bush. My brother-in-law, Bob, put in on my iPod. It's one of those songs that stay in your head for a long time. When I've been walking in the driving snow it seems to fit very well. Nostalgia for the "North Country." I doubt some of my friends who actually live North of Toronto are so thrilled with the storming snow flakes!

When I listen to this song I think of one of two places: the fields around our house in Kansas and Virginia. Kansas because of the way the winter winds would blow the snow across the flat, flat fields. You could see, literally, for miles. Vastness only matched by the oceans. Virginia because of ex-girlfriends, which this song is also about. 'Nough on that subject!



The above video has a version of the song with some really amazing Mandolin work. Sam Bush really is an amazingly talented musician.

Girl From The North Country

Well, if you're travelin' in the north country fair,
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline,
Remember me to one who lives there.
She once was a true love of mine.

Well, if you go when the snowflakes storm,
When the rivers freeze and summer ends,
Please see if she's wearing a coat so warm,
To keep her from the howlin' winds.

Please see for me if her hair hangs long,
If it rolls and flows all down her breast.
Please see for me if her hair hangs long,
That's the way I remember her best.

I'm a-wonderin' if she remembers me at all.
Many times I've often prayed
In the darkness of my night,
In the brightness of my day.

So if you're travelin' in the north country fair,
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline,
Remember me to one who lives there.
She once was a true love of mine. (Bob Dylan)

-t

Feeling Better

I'm definitely feeling better today. All that's left of my flu is the stuffy nose and congestion that has been with me for weeks now. The worst of it passed by Monday morning, so in the afternoon I made a run to Home Depot to buy some supplies for small carpentry project Betsy wanted me to do. Working with the wood, getting into the right shapes and fit together, was very satisfying. I do like creating things with my hands. My next project is going to repairing some dining room chairs that have gone wobbly.

I came to work today with plenty of energy. Good thing, too, as there was lots happening. For one thing, our electrician and his assistant were here and managed to complete the entire list of little projects I had assigned them. They fixed things like the exterior sign lights (which hadn't worked in almost a year) and the exterior lights themselves. They also fixed a number of other little problems here and there. In the process they found a few safety problems. I really like this electrician, he knows exactly what he's doing!

Then there is our new photocopier. Photocopiers are an essential piece of equipment for churches--no doubt. Our old lease ran out and so Canon has set up with a new lease and a new machine (an ImageRunner 3225). Not only will it cost us slightly less, but we have a brand new machine with lots of bells and whistles. The new machine even has scan-to-email functionality that allows us to instantly e-mail (or fax) material to an entire list of recipients. I'm enough of a geek to get really excited by stuff like that. I know, I know, that seems weird. But when the old copier would die you can't imagine the headaches around here!

Lots of e-mails and phone calls. Then a solid staff meeting in which we came up with several good new ideas for things like fundraising and evangelism. I know it's a good meeting when I have nearly half page of notes of things to do.

Now I've got the Annual General Meeting of the Daycare Board. Luckily I'm just the Vice President of the Board, so like Palin I can just look pretty and say things that appeal to the Base....

-t

A Real Flu

The Flu Virus
Uhhg. Woke up from fitful sleep. Threw up. Took shower. Fever: 99.9. Feeling terrible. Have to do church. Won't touch bread--use extra communion ministers. A real flu.

-t

Quick Update

Still sick. Stayed at work Friday until about noon to accept delivery of a new copy machine (the old lease ran out, the new one is actually cheaper AND we get a new machine, wohoo!). went home, had a second herbal tea and went to sleep for a few hours. Woke up around dinner time. Now I'm just getting ready to go back to bed. -t

Under the Weather

Yesterday after Celebrating the Contemplative Eucharist I felt like something that Denise might cough-up, so I went home and took a nap. I had a Deanery Meeting at lunch time and thought I'd get up that, but when the time came my body had other ideas and I kept sleeping until shortly before Betsy came home. Whatever it is seems to like living in my Respiratory Track: a nagging cough and sore throat are part of it. I got up for dinner, watched some TV, then back to bed. Slept fitfully. Strange dreams (including one that took me back to our old house in Kansas!).

Got up this morning feeling only somewhat better--but I had an important morning meeting and another at noon to attend. Right now I'm feeling achey and tired, but my Administrator brought me various herbal teas that seem to be offering some (perhaps temporary) relief.

So it goes.

-t

A Desert Fathers Morning

A brother collected palm-leaves in his cell. And as soon as he sat down to plait them, his mind suggested he should go visit one of the old men. He meditated on it, and said: "I will go in a few days." And then his mind suggested: "Suppose he dies during the next few days, what will you do?" "I will go now and talk with him, because it is summer time." And again he thought: "No, it is not the proper time yet." Then he said: "It will be time when you have cut the reeds for the mats." And he said: "I will spread out these palm-leaves and then go." Then he said: "But today it is fine weather."

So he rose, left his pile of palms, took his cloak, and went out. But nearby was another old man, a man of prophetic vision. When he saw the brother hurrying out, he called to him: "Prisoner, prisoner, where are you running to? Come here to me." He came: and the old man said to him: "Go back to your cell." The brother described to him the ups and downs and indecisions of his his mind, and then went back to his cell. And as soon as he entered it, he fell down and did penance. And suddenly the demons shrieked aloud: "You have conquered us, monk, you have conquered us." And the mat on which he lay was singed as though by fire, and the demons vanished away like smoke; and the brother learnt their wiles. (source: The Desert Fathers XI.51)

This passage came up at the Contemplative Eucharist this morning. I can relate.

I woke up this morning feeling a bit ill. I've been fighting a low-grade respiratory something for a few days now. Not pleasant. Cough and aches. No fun. And yet I have several things I want to do today.

My spiritual teachers would tell me that these kinds of bugs are not accidental. No doubt it is trying to "tell me" something. The Desert Fathers would no doubt say that such a demon is caused by grief, or some such thing.

Is it a coincidence that I interred the ashes of a parishioner on Monday or that 3 brothers have died in the span of five months in the Order of the Holy Cross? Death seems to be lurking around right now. Even the plants are affected: last night I picked the last of the peppers ahead of the first freeze in the back yard.

That's weird: even as I was writing this blog entry I got an e-mail from the diocese notifying me that a Deaconess whom I never met died. The funeral is on Friday.

Hmmm.
-t

Ataturk's Revenge

Friday evening before dinner I was starting to feel unwell--by the morning I had a full-blown case of "Atatürk's Revenge." I was a sick puppy. Nonetheless, I attempted to push through a grueling day of sight seeing that included a 3 km trek through a river valley and exploring a huge underground city with many steps and low ceilings. By the time we got back to town I was really struggling and in no shape to take an 8 hour over night bus trip. So we called our travel agent who arranged this part of the trip and changed our plans to add a night here in Goreme. I went to the pharmacy and they said it sounded like a classic case of an intestinal bug. Even without seeing a doctor (which was an option) they could give me antibiotics (Cipro) and something for the symptoms, etc. I took the drugs.

Back at the hotel I had a rough night. I'm glad I didn't try to do the night bus in my condition! Today we are taking it easy and will attempt the bus again tonight. It shifts everything back by a day, except that we are going to make up the time by taking a plane from Ephesus back to Istanbul rather than the bus (1 hour flight vs. over-night bus).

So... tonight we take the bus to Pamukkale. We'll have time to take a shower and relax a bit and then see some sights. That evening a short bus ride to a town near Ephesus--go to bed. In the morning a full day of seeing Ephesus and then taking a flight back to Istanbul. There we will settle into a flat where we will spend the rest of our days in Turkey. I'm looking forward to that!

I think I'm over the worst of my illness. Now I'm just going to take a nap (or at least lie down)...

-t

Sick

I've been sick the last few days. Spent most of Monday in bed. sore throat, runny nose, general ickiness, and exhaustion. This is a persistent little bug. I feel better at the moment, but that could change quickly. In the mean time, I'm all about the fluids. Could this be the flu that has been going around Toronto?

Snowing outide. Looks nice. Cat sleeping in a little cat-bed by the window. Betsy has Christmas music playing on the stereo.

-t

RIP Father Belway

Father Belway, a grand old retired priest in the Diocese and a member of SMM died this morning. I first got to know him at the 7.15 AM Masses on Tuesdays and Thursdays. While I was preparing to say just such a Mass, he passed away peacefully at his retirement home. Fr. Brinton, Vicar of the Cathedral, was taking the lead on pastoral care to Fr. Belway as his health declined. He called me this morning to tell me of Donald's passing and to ask that I attend to the body with appropriate prayers--he himself was traveling to Ottawa for the day and wouldn't back until the evening. Fr. Harold had just arrived back from vacation (though he's not back "officially" until Saturday), but I figured correctly that he would want to come with me as we paid respects to the kind priest.

I was aware that Fr. Brinton had already given Donald "last rites" (actually, Anointing of the Sick and Ministration at the Time of Death), so the purpose of our ministry this morning was to mark the passing with prayer, to commend Donald's soul to God, and to comfort the caregivers and friends who joined us in the small room. As we were going about the retirement home preparing to do this, a number of people on seeing me in my collar spoke of Fr. Belway's kindness and good humor. He was a charming man and well liked for his gentle sense of humor and sharp wit.

I'll never forget the time over breakfast some months ago when Fr. Belway was commenting on our new music director of the time, Kevin K. "We're so lucky to have him; he's a fantastic musician. (pause) But I wish someone could explain why he dresses the way he does."

"Father, have you ever heard of 'Metrosexuals'?" He laughed over his soft-boiled egg (Professor Blisset's specialty) while I explained the fashion movement reflected in Kevin's Sunday best. He always found these kinds of surprises delightful and was ready to laugh.

In his room this morning, looking over his pale body, Harold and I lead a little service with some of the nurses and nurses' aids that looked over him in his last days. I brought a BAS with me, but I took two more off of Donald's desk and handed them around to the group.

A big portion of the mini-liturgy we did was the Litany at the Time of Death. Interestingly, this is precisely what I had prayed over Donald a few days earlier when he was still alive, but barely arousable. I was sitting alone with him as he slept and decided that I should pray for him. I didn't have a BAS, but borrowed one from the desk next to his bed as I did again after his death. First I read some Psalms picked randomly. Then I prayed the litany. It's a patient prayer that mysteriously combines a sense of progression with timelessness. You can pray a litany forever, marching through the lists of heavenly beings and spiritual virtues and every manner of distress from which one ought to be delivered. It's a holy thing to sit in a chair next to the dying and quietly bid in turn all manner of grace to comfort them.

Donald was extremely happy for as long as I knew him. He liked to say that he was "blessed." Indeed he was.

Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord,
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul, and the soul of all the departed ever rest in peace. Amen.

-t

weird day

Today was an odd day--lots of ups and downs for some reason. Started off on a great note. I had an inspirational meeting with a committee I'm working with. But by mid-morning I was feeling kind of ill. Not sick enough to go home, but definitely a little off. The rest of the day was similar, good news, and then something jarring, and then good news again.

An example of uplifting news: Brin, our Administrative Assistant (and the Church Seamstress), finished a private commission I hired her to do. She created a new burse and veil to match an existing chasuble and stole that my mother commissioned for my ordinations. She did a fabulous, fabulous job. She really did her homework not only to match the fabrics but to develop and learn new techniques to work with them. The result is a completely hand-stitched masterpiece that I am very much looking forward to using at our next green Mass. I would put up some pictures but Betsy still has our camera.

She comes Sunday PM....

More tomorrow.
-t