Or eat comfort food. Or go to the coast. You deserve both!

There’s a recipe at the bottom for Pollo Picante, a favorite comfort food.

I don’t really know what to say but it’s weighing heavy on my mind that a friend of mine is suffering and another friend has suffered greatly too, this past year. Both of these old friends have lost their husbands much, much too young. One lost her husband unexpectedly and the other watched a long, slow illness that went on for almost five years. The bottom line is that they suffered a great loss before they should have experienced the death of a spouse. Both are in their early 60s and I consider this the prime of our lives. I feel their losses and yearn to hug them, but both live far away from me. Ladies, if you find and read this blog, know this: I wish I could make you a casserole, a huge bowl of soup, a drink or any dessert that you desire!

But maybe that’s not at all what you want – food. It’s what I always want. Perhaps you just want silence. Or noise. Or to run and hide. Maybe you want to be found by your friends. Well, this friend is thinking of you both. But I cannot know what you want or need because I don’t know how it is to go through this type of sorrow. But I love you. I will do what I can from a distance. I am a call away or even a plane ride or long drive. Just tell me when you’re ready, what it is that you need from your friend. I’ll do my very best to make it happen. Visit me or I’ll visit you. Say the word. Just take care of yourself and I’ll be here with the light on, when you need a shoulder. Or soup. Or a drink. Maybe you just need an ear to listen. I have at least one good ear at this writing! In the meantime, know that I made comfort food today in your honor. I will give the food to a few other good friends who could use comfort, prayer and a visit. I will also wish that I lived close enough to do this for you as well. Here’s a dish I made today, from a throwback recipe I learned to make in Oklahoma. The title on my hand written recipe is Pollo Picante. I think Tammy made this for me once. Here’s my rendition of it:

1-2 pounds of chicken breast, slow cooked in a crock pot. Salt, pepper and garlic powder that.

Next, sautee a chopped medium onion and a cup of sliced mushrooms in olive oil and butter. Add this to the chicken.

Mix cream of mushroom or chicken soup, a can of rotel tomatoes and a jar of salsa to this crockpot. Cook rice, at least one cup, and add the cooked rice.

To taste, add parsley, chervil and thyme. Also possibly add chili powder and cumin. You may need to add more chicken broth, but you can decide if you need more liquid.

Before serving, top with cheddar or monterey jack cheese. Dish this up with a good green salad or green beans.

Consider yourself comforted. If you have friends in need, share with them. Meanwhile, my two dear friends and our group – meet me at the beach this spring. We need it!

Love,

Marci