GOSHEN —
A long time ago, when my daughters were young and I was young too, our lives revolved around The Old Bag Factory. It all started when Larion, the former owner, invited us as artists to an open house. Jim had his guitar making bench and I had my weaving loom.
We spent a weekend demonstrating our crafts and talking with many people. As a result, Jim opened a studio/shop there for a number of years and later, I made my bread business official by starting Rachel’s Bread down in the basement.
When we remember those years, we mostly talk about the people we met and the relationships we formed with other shop owners and workers. Mark was one of those. He was just starting out as a potter assistant with Dick Lehman.
Barely out of college, new in town and trying to figure out what life might bring his way, we somehow connected. Soon, we were spending a lot of time together.
Mark babysat our daughters from time to time. He took them to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. We ate many meals together, stayed up late staring at burning candles, listened to music, flew kites.
Every now and then, Mark would appear at our house with little pots he had made stuffed in the large pockets of his jacket. He would pull them out and show us his latest creations. When he would leave later that night, the pots were left behind to find homes in the built-in cabinets that Jim had made. And Mark’s pockets were filled with bread...
There were ethnic meals cooked and eaten together, a rotating art project that would travel between Mark’s apartment and our house, children’s games, cat knowledge shared, and discussions about life, vocation, music, religion, art... Through it all, Mark worked steadily at his potter’s craft, Jim honed his guitar making skills, and I continually baked bread.
The girls grew up and moved away. Mark married Suzanne and bought a house. Jim and I left The Old Bag Factory and moved our work downtown. Our paths crossed only now and again. After many years of working with Dick Lehman, Mark now owns the business and continues making and selling beautiful pots. He has built his own woodfired kiln on his property and his eye for beauty is as good as ever. Most days, you’ll find him working at Goertzen Pottery.
We finally got together again for a Mexican inspired supper. Jim fired up the wood oven, we sat around and ate and caught up a little bit on each other’s lives. Yes, another friendship renewed. And since Mark knows a thing or two about fish, he gave his advice when it was time for the fish tacos. Suzanne suggested I share my guacamole recipe in this column and so here goes.
Roasted Garlic Guacamole
1/2 red onion, peeled and sliced
3 garlic cloves, peeled and cut in half
1 jalapeno, cut in strips
1 small tomato, cubed
1 orange, peeled and sliced horizontally
1/4 c. loosely packed cilantro, chopped
2 t. lime juice
3 avocados, pitted and peeled
About one hour before serving, put the onion, garlic and jalapeno in a pan. Toss with a little olive oil.
Roast in the oven at 425 degrees stirring every now and then until they start to soften and turn brown, 15 or so minutes. Remove from oven and mash up with a pestle.
In a bowl, add the other ingredients, separating the orange slices into pieces. Mash into a paste.
Then add the roasted veggies. Mix well. Cover with Saran wrap until it is served.
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A guacamole dip was featured in a very special dinner for Goshen News food columnist Rachel Shenk recently. RACHEL Shenk | THE GOSHEN NEWS
Another great friendship renewed over dinner
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