With that being said I did feel like quite the Susie Homemaker yesterday. I had to run errands, prepare a birthday gift, walk the neighbor's puppy, tidy up the guest room, put together a couple personalized thank you gifts, bake a pie and cook dinner, clean the house, and finally prepare myself as well to get out the door for a meeting at 7 p.m.. I'll share my personalized thank you gifts in another post, but want to skip to 6:00 p.m. last night... While I'm pulling my pie out of the oven and waiting for it to cool I throw some butternut squash into the oven to roast so I can eat something before I run out the door. This is another recipe from Real Simple. (I'm slightly obsessed). Their version is called Tortellini with Butternut Squash, Mushrooms and Fontina. I adapted it based on ingredients in my fridge as well as my distaste for mushrooms.
Tortellini with Butternut Squash & Parmesan
Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 10m | Total Time: 40m
Ingredients
- 1 small butternut squash (2 pounds), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons cup dried sage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 pound fresh or frozen multi-colored cheese tortellini
- 2 ounces Parmesan, grated (1/2 cup), plus more for serving
Directions
- Heat oven to 450° F. On 2 rimmed baking sheets, toss the squash with the sage, oil, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Roast, tossing once and rotating pans halfway through, until the vegetables are tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the tortellini according to the package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water; drain the tortellini and return to the pot. Add the squash, parmesan, ¼ cup of the cooking water, and ½ teaspoon salt and toss gently to coat (add more cooking water if the pasta seems dry). Sprinkle with additional parmesan.
This recipe was surprisingly easy. I foresee butternut squash in my future this fall quite a bit. My favorite
thing is when a recipe turns out to be even easier than I originally thought and it uses new ingredients. Okay, now back to last night....
So I throw some of this delicious dish into a bowl and run out the door. I'm running late for my 7 p.m. meeting. I'm eating pasta at red lights (not a brilliant idea considering it requires a fork, but I am starving at this point because I hadn't eaten anything since the Taco Bell drive thru at 2 p.m. - also not a brilliant idea).
I pull up to church with about a minute to spare. I'm there to join the Women's Guild group and this is my first meeting. I'm not sure where to go or what to expect. As I walk in the door I'm greeted by two woman who ask if I want to join.
I quickly glance behind them and see a couple of round tables filled with women in their 50's, 60's and potentially even 70's. At that point I did not know what to say other than yes. In my head I'm wondering if this was such a great idea. My original thought in attending was that maybe I would be able to meet some more young people. That thought has gone out the window.
I write a check for the $10 yearly membership fee, correct the woman on how to pronounce my last name and write my name in all caps on a name tag sticker. The smell and deep green hue of the sharpie is my favorite thing about the experience so far.
As I walk away from the table it's already past 7 p.m. and the meeting hasn't started yet. I feel slightly panicked by social anxiety since everyone is already seated. I take a quick detour to check out the table of name tags that haven't been picked up and spot a photo album. As I leaf through the first few pages the president calls the meeting to order. I skirt over to the closest table and ask the the woman if the seat next to her is taken.
One of the deacons is present to talk for a couple minutes about the changes to mass that will be happening. He gives us a pamphlet with more information. It also has a reference card that you can tear off that includes all of the new language that will be used. This is where not being Catholic can be an advantage to me. I haven't had the old language etched into my brain just yet so it should be a cinch to pick up the changes. It'll probably take Alex longer to get used to this.
After a few other announcements the night's speaker takes center stage. He is a 5th generation nursery
They hold a raffle for a couple of potted flowers, It must be my lucky night. I call the first number and then a second woman draws a ticket and announces the number on it. It happens to be mine! The presentation is followed by refreshments and chatting. I meet quite a few of the ladies and am actually enjoying myself. Although the group might not hold many young women in my age bracket it's still nice to get out of the house, meet some people and have a conversation with someone other than Alex. After 45 minutes I pack up to leave. I'm surprised that everyone is still there and they all seem pretty comfortable. I have no idea how much longer they'll stay, but I bid my goodbyes and head out the door.
The meetings are held once a month which I think I can handle. I'm excited to take part in some of their volunteer activities which might be a better way to meet other people in the church. My first volunteer event is next week and the following week Alex and I are volunteering together to help with Oktoberfest.
Some moments might not always turn out like you expect, but there's always a reason for everything. It was quite comical to re-tell the story to Alex, but all in all I was excited by the time I got home. The next meeting will be all about Mary which should be super interesting considering she's not a featured component of the Methodist faith.
Who knows... I might just make some unexpected friends out of the deal.
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