The Waiting Place: Lentil Mushroom Spinach Stew

Christmas and New Years' have been put away, the baby clothes and toys washed, the baby gear set up, and a few weeks' worth of meals frozen (chicken soup, lasagna, dal, african peanut stew, 10 bean soup, and a cornmeal-crusted pot pie); so now I'm back at work, in the Waiting Place.

(Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.  Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.  Thank you, Dr. Seuss.)

So far no one has said to me "what? you're still here?" which is refreshing; honestly, I don't know what I'd do right now if I were home all day.  Read some non-required reading, I guess.  Eat chocolate (I do plenty of that anyway).  Gain weight (check: doing that, too, courtesy of Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years' goodies).  Maybe get my hair cut?  But I still have a month or so to go until my EDD, and so I figured I could keep myself occupied by having somewhere to be each day.

They're throwing me a work shower on January 20.  I'm not sure if I'll still be at work then (babies have a knack for arriving when they feel like arriving, and while I. came late, it's anyone's guess what this one will do), but I appreciate the intention, nonetheless.  I told them we didn't need anything (really, we have more clothes for the 3-6 month size than this baby could ever wear out, and we've re-borrowed baby gear), and I feel awkward about accepting gifts when we've already had one child, but the truth is, it's sort of nice to celebrate the tail end of this pregnancy, and doing so is helping me to get ready mentally for the arrival of this baby.  They threw me a small work shower before I gave birth to my son, but ironically, I never had a shower to celebrate with friends; my mother didn't throw one (she didn't throw me a wedding shower, either--claimed she "didn't know how"), and I guess I just never had anyone else "take charge"; my friends are scattered all over the state, the country, the world.  This pregnancy has felt so long, partially because it's been so emotionally complicated for me, that a little hoopla might not be so bad.  As long as no one comments on the size of my abdomen.

Tomorrow I go to my ob/gyn, and from here on in I have weekly appointments.  Do you think they'll believe me if I tell them that this is what I've been eating, when I weigh in five pounds heavier than last time?  Yeah, I didn't think so, either.  Hey, pregnant women are entitled to the December Holidays weight gain, aren't we?

Lentil Mushroom Spinach Stew

1 T. olive oil
1 small yellow onion, large dice
2 medium carrots, large dice
1 medium celery stalk, large dice
1½ c. sliced mushrooms
1 c. flat brown lentils, rinsed
7-8 c. low-sodium vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
½ t. dried rosemary, crushed
½ t. dried oregano
½ t. dried basil
¼ t. crushed red pepper flakes
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
4 c. (packed) baby spinach
Sherry or sherry vinegar (optional)

In a medium soup pot, heat olive oil and sauté onion, carrots, celery, and mushrooms until onions are just tender, 3-5 minutes. Stir in lentils.  Add 7 cups broth, bay leaf, rosemary, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and garlic. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook on medium, covered, for about 20 minutes, until lentils are tender.

Remove bay leaf. Purée half of the mixture and return to pot. If desired, add remaining 1 cup stock to reach desired consistency. Stir in baby spinach leaves and cook for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Top each serving with a spoonful of sherry or sherry vinegar, if desired.