The View From Mrs. Sundberg's Window

Take a Few Risks Along the Way

November 18, 2008

Listened to the show Saturday and it was not bad. It was, once again, a little stretch of calm on the wild way. With the election and winter's arrival and the deer hunting opener all in the last week or so, it's tempting to say to heck with it all and hole up in the kitchen and bake all night and sleep all day and leave the world behind until spring returns and people aren't all bundled up and you don't have to stare at a deer carcass while you wait for the light to turn green. It would be easy to retreat for these dark months and hunker down and just get through it. Lord knows there's enough food in the pantry and wood in the shed to get to January at least.

The temptation is there, alright. But. When you've grown up in a place where frostbite and the flu are realities just weeks after you've been warned about heatstroke, you've had to learn to take a few risks along the way. Thing is, you take enough little risks, they start to feel commonplace and you forget what it feels like to be daring and put yourself out there or try something new.

I'm here to suggest we all avoid the temptation this time around. Instead of hiding out with this week's forecast for snow and biting winds, I say get on out there and be in it. Lord knows there's something for everyone. I know of at least seven lutefisk dinners this week alone. There's the Turkey Bingo fundraiser over at the Community Center. There are a few craft fairs and the Advent fairs are starting up next week. It's not too early to find a Christmas tree. Sidewalks are going to need shoveling, and some of them could use a good sweeping. Deliver some Meals on Wheels. Find someone who needs firewood and help them get it. Rake up the last leaves for your busy neighbor. Spend money you don't have on someone you don't know. Bake the best thing you bake and give it to the person who changes your oil or manages the grocery store where you shop or waits on tables where you eat lunch. The next time you think a good thing about a person, tell them that good thing. Go skiing, and if you don't know how, learn. At least taste the lutefisk, for God's sake. Do something today. Because you're alive, and it's today, and if you believe you're an adventure waiting to happen, then you are. But you'll never know, now, will you, if you just stay there in your house, all warm and cozy, wrapped in blankets, half-asleep, with one candle lit and not knowing for sure what time it is. Come on now. Get a move on.

Sweet Potato Bake
I'm making this one for Thanksgiving. Yes, I am. And you would, too, if you could have a taste of it right now. It's something else.

3 cans (15 oz each) sweet potatoes, drained

1/4 cup melted butter

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Dash nutmeg

3 cups mini marshmallows

Mash potatoes, butter and spices in large bowl until blended.

Scoop into greased 1 1/2 qt casserole dish; top with marshmallows.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes

until potatoes are heated through and marshmallows are lightly browned.

Mmm!

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