Bean soup, cornbread, and BBC mysteries

The outside world continues to be cold and cloudy but there is a pot of ham and bean soup simmering on the back burner of my stove.   I simply poured some pinto beans in my smaller stockpot and covered them with water after finishing the dinner dishes last night... left the pot on the kitchen counter overnight... and drained them this morning before adding fresh water and half an onion.

The aroma is lovely and it will be nice to have dinner already prepared.  The evening meal was inspired by a ham bone with a nice chunk of leftover ham and reading An Everlasting Meal.  I plan a Recent Reading post soon but I can say that the book, if it doesn't change your life... will challenge your cooking.

Along with the bean soup, I plan to stir together a batch of cornbread and bake it in the iron skillet.  My mother would say you cannot have one without the other.

Such a dinner always reminds me of my mother (who was a widow with seven children when she met my father) and had survived for awhile on bean soup.   Bean soup and cornbread were comfort foods to my siblings even as adults.

The winter is now in that stage where one stands at the French door to the deck and watches the snow on the raised beds, longing for spring and new life.  I've been enjoying a lot of reading and bread making and soup stirring and hot beverages... but cabin fever is setting in.  It always does by February.

At least last night I could look forward to watching Downton Abbey.  I usually watch it on Sunday night but unfortunately the Super Bowl got exciting just about the time Downton was on, and since I knew it is rebroadcast Monday night... I turned the TV over to Hubby and retired to my bed to read.

Victoria was already there, curled up next to the pillows.  She opened one eye and looked at me as if I was welcome as long as I didn't disturb her.

Speaking of British programs, I've been watching DCI Banks on Masterpiece Mystery.  I wasn't sure if I would like it but it has been growing on me (reminds me a lot of the broody feeling of Wallander).

Anyway, I was watching it Saturday evening when the new character was introduced and I kept thinking she looked familiar.  Then I realized she was Louisa on Doc Martin.  Now, that is a good actress when you know she looks the same and sounds the same but one still can't wrap their thinking around her in a different role.

I have that happen quite often with British TV and movies.  Like... the dad from Larkrise seems so different as Mr. Bates on Downton Abbey.  However, my most difficult transition was watching Tom (in MI-5) as Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice.  Although he made a fabulous Mr. Darcy, it was a totally different role from that of spymaster.

In case you wonder... yes, I do love BBC mysteries, comedies, and dramas on PBS.  They are my favorite form of relaxation on Saturday and Sunday evenings.  ;)

I read that there will be one more season produced this year of Doc Martin (probably in the USA early 2014) and only one more season produced of my favorite Inspector Lewis shows.  I'm still hoping they produce another season of Foyle's War, rumor has it that they are.

Okay, it is time to stop chatting about food and film to stir the soup... can't have the beans sticking to the bottom of the stock pot.