Oh gosh. Could one person be capable of this degree of happiness? Today. It is so. I received a long-awaited parcel. Truthfully, the wait hasn't been long considering its journey. Shipped from Australia 14th December 2021. Arrived central Minnesota USA 1st January 2022. Yenara, who is the potter at YenCeramics, carefully wrapped each item to assure safe arrival, tying each parcel so prettily with string, and kindly included a postcard photo of herself...and her hands. Lovingly encircling tiny bowls. One of which I purchased to hold my used teabag, after steeping tea to drink from the black and white "dimple cup," which is the third item in my shipment. Its style invites one to encircle the cup with both hands to feel the beverage's warmth inside. Yen's listing describes it as a "hug mug."
On her Etsy shop, Yen explained that "a pit fire of timber shavings, bark, leaves, coffee grounds and other organic materials from the property where which the studio is situated creates stunning markings across pieces." My bowl's beautiful random patterns, rugged edges, and warm earthy tones begged to be a vessel for hearty porridge. I decided upon Pompanoosuc Porridge, which I first tasted for breakfast at the beautifully rustic cafe at King Arthur Flour Headquarters in Norwich, Vermont the morning after taking a bread baking class there with my granddaughter. It is a blend of steel cut oats (or Scottish oats which are quite finely ground versus cut), whole wheat bulgur, and flax seeds. But. My porridge morphed. Into a mix of steel cut oats, red bulgur wheat, millet, pearled farro, amaranth, and wild rice...1/2 dry cup each. And lots of water for cooking to softness. Leftovers for many breakfasts. Hulled buckwheat, quinoa, and teff would be perfect additions, too.
Then there are the toppings, which I selected for their earthy tones. Dried white mulberries, figs, Montmorency cherries and pistachios for their hand-painted colors. A diced apple, Milk. A drizzle of maple syrup. In my bowl, created far away in Australia. Because of the hands that gently formed it, I may nourish my body and soul. Be it porridge or soup.