Apparently blogging is NOT one of the three biggest things in my life, or I might have posted in the BUFBLOPOFO order. Sort of like reading the last page first, I guess.
After trying to succinctly put down a three item list, such as God, Family, Country or Me, Myself & I, or sex, drugs & rock n' roll, it became apparent that there are no individual things that I can separate into a list. Instead, I will tell you about my excellent day. We got up early to go to eight o'clock Mass. Neil met us there, somewhat unexpectedly. Today is his birthday. We came home and put some corned beefs on to slow braise, and made ratatouille. We opened a Veuve after Julia got back from the village, then I went outside. Shirt, no jacket, spectacular. We got a respectable Mr. Burns going, topped off the dumpster and rode around on the little tractor. Started the tomato seeds, heirlooms which taste great and look so cool. Had a Guinness with Smokey and bragged on the accomplishments of our children, boiled some fresh beets and greens, cabbage and potatoes (almost had a Dan Quayle moment there, but for spell check), carrots. Had another taste of champagne with Julia while we finished dinner. Enjoyed an great St. Patrick's dinner with Julia, GG, Neil, Matt & Theresa, Emma & GG. Smokey stayed for dinner, Sandy is in North Carolina. Julia made a very fine carrot cake for Neil's birthday, and we opened a couple of really nice cabernets with dinner. Just great. Sort of helped with the dishes, and now am writing to you.
I thought about and talked about all of the kids & grandchildren today, a lot. I especially want to mention Cecilia, riding to Kentucky on a school bus to do a week of mission work. You all make me proud and happy. I hope that:
1. you all had an excellent St. Patrick's day
2. you all have a safe, productive and satisfying week
3. you could cull out three big things from the above
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Chow Down, Hombre
We have a book, given to us by Dawn, which has about fifty answers to "What would you have for your last meal?". The answers are from primarily serious chefs, although there is a naked picture of Anthony Bourdain, and the common thread seems to be simple food cooked good, a phrase heard many times at our table.
So, when I think about ultimate dining it is usually not in the context of a last meal, and occasionally this leads to more extravagant ideas. However, simple food cooked good is always a good guide. Especially if the diners are winers, so food can show off the wine.
Some of the most memorable meals have been in restaurants. I do not mean to rank them in any way, but simply to remeber a few here. There was Per Se, with Julia, Cecilia, Louis & Dawn. It was eleven or twelve courses of totally astounding food with eight or ten bottles of unreal wine. We had an Alsatian reisling from the year of Louis' birth, and it drank so fine! Then there is the time we went to Babbo, unexpectedly because we were delayed getting into NY on the plane. Dawn, Louis, Julia and I started dinner at obout eleven, and rolled out about four hours later, thanking God for good food and that we were not driving. Julia and I have been so fortunate to have enjoyed great meals in Ireland, Italy (with Lenny & Reg), Toronto, California and so many places, Cecilia met Julia and me in San Francisco, we ate at Gary Danko, had breakfast at Beuna Vista the next morning (where Irish coffee was first served) and the went to Napa for dinner at La Toque. We also had other dinners on that trip, like lunch at Bouchon, that I will never forget, Terra, for instance. The Four Seasons, no need to say more. Except, maybe, New Orleans.
I guess the favorite dinner memory for me was at San Marco. Eminently successful friends were unexpectedly there, also with their families. These were grandchildren hankerin' people who told us about their new dog. I was able to subtly note that we only had an old dog, but I held baby Julia all the while. As always, the dinner there was tops. Being together was the real treat.
So. What would be my choice? I'll tell you about one more dinner. It was for Papa's fiftieth birthday. Julia & I cooked for days. I had gotten three magnums of 1923 Montrose to build the dinner around (venison grand venuer from house harvested deer). We had consomme Bellevue, clarified until it sparkled, and Crab Remick, in abalone shells and on & on, for about sixty people, here at the house. Guests came from miles away. It went on all night.
Where does that take us? Here. The best meals of my life have been at this table with people I love, simple food cooked good and plenty of wine.
So, when I think about ultimate dining it is usually not in the context of a last meal, and occasionally this leads to more extravagant ideas. However, simple food cooked good is always a good guide. Especially if the diners are winers, so food can show off the wine.
Some of the most memorable meals have been in restaurants. I do not mean to rank them in any way, but simply to remeber a few here. There was Per Se, with Julia, Cecilia, Louis & Dawn. It was eleven or twelve courses of totally astounding food with eight or ten bottles of unreal wine. We had an Alsatian reisling from the year of Louis' birth, and it drank so fine! Then there is the time we went to Babbo, unexpectedly because we were delayed getting into NY on the plane. Dawn, Louis, Julia and I started dinner at obout eleven, and rolled out about four hours later, thanking God for good food and that we were not driving. Julia and I have been so fortunate to have enjoyed great meals in Ireland, Italy (with Lenny & Reg), Toronto, California and so many places, Cecilia met Julia and me in San Francisco, we ate at Gary Danko, had breakfast at Beuna Vista the next morning (where Irish coffee was first served) and the went to Napa for dinner at La Toque. We also had other dinners on that trip, like lunch at Bouchon, that I will never forget, Terra, for instance. The Four Seasons, no need to say more. Except, maybe, New Orleans.
I guess the favorite dinner memory for me was at San Marco. Eminently successful friends were unexpectedly there, also with their families. These were grandchildren hankerin' people who told us about their new dog. I was able to subtly note that we only had an old dog, but I held baby Julia all the while. As always, the dinner there was tops. Being together was the real treat.
So. What would be my choice? I'll tell you about one more dinner. It was for Papa's fiftieth birthday. Julia & I cooked for days. I had gotten three magnums of 1923 Montrose to build the dinner around (venison grand venuer from house harvested deer). We had consomme Bellevue, clarified until it sparkled, and Crab Remick, in abalone shells and on & on, for about sixty people, here at the house. Guests came from miles away. It went on all night.
Where does that take us? Here. The best meals of my life have been at this table with people I love, simple food cooked good and plenty of wine.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Ancesteral Home Town
It has been a month since the last post. We were all so busy and the time flew by.We left the holidays with some mighty fine memories, a few extra pounds and a few plans for our trip to Ireland.
We will leave Buffalo and fly to Shannon. I think that the cross Atlantic portion is at night, so we arrive early Saturday morning. We have a bus that will just fit our group, with a driver, who will meet us at the airport. We will rent a minivan, said to seat seven, comes with car seats for the little ones, and a GPS. Our bus will take us to the cottages at Doolin, County Clare. We can either pick up the van when we arrive, or after a few days, and keep it for the duration.
After a week, we go to the east coast, to the cottages at Wicklow, County Wicklow. We return to Buffalo from Dublin at the end of the second week.
There are innumerable things to do and see. When Julia & I went previously, we had a list of things, and what wondrous trips we had! So there are only a few plans I would like to make, and most of these are pretty general. I want to have dinner together on my birthday, there are a couple of places in Doolin that look good, like the Roadford House, that have websites. I would also like a family picture in Sixmilebridge. Ireland is pretty with it concerning the internet, so look for information online for golf, fishing, ancient sites and historic places, restaurants and, of course, shopping. Also, get your passports now.
Sometime after Julia gets back from taking Mimi home, lets get together and compare notes, and see who would like to do things we may need to make arrangements to do. It will be the height of tourist season, so certain reservations will be helpful. But not to micromanage our plans, either.
We will leave Buffalo and fly to Shannon. I think that the cross Atlantic portion is at night, so we arrive early Saturday morning. We have a bus that will just fit our group, with a driver, who will meet us at the airport. We will rent a minivan, said to seat seven, comes with car seats for the little ones, and a GPS. Our bus will take us to the cottages at Doolin, County Clare. We can either pick up the van when we arrive, or after a few days, and keep it for the duration.
After a week, we go to the east coast, to the cottages at Wicklow, County Wicklow. We return to Buffalo from Dublin at the end of the second week.
There are innumerable things to do and see. When Julia & I went previously, we had a list of things, and what wondrous trips we had! So there are only a few plans I would like to make, and most of these are pretty general. I want to have dinner together on my birthday, there are a couple of places in Doolin that look good, like the Roadford House, that have websites. I would also like a family picture in Sixmilebridge. Ireland is pretty with it concerning the internet, so look for information online for golf, fishing, ancient sites and historic places, restaurants and, of course, shopping. Also, get your passports now.
Sometime after Julia gets back from taking Mimi home, lets get together and compare notes, and see who would like to do things we may need to make arrangements to do. It will be the height of tourist season, so certain reservations will be helpful. But not to micromanage our plans, either.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
the coldest day so far, but our hearts are warm
On Friday, we hosted about two hundred dentists & staff to hear John Jameson, kind of a dental motivational guru. It was a good show, but I was delighted to get home for some poached salmon, bay scallops just run under the broiler with some salad & grilled asparagus, and fizzy water. We did not have to get up early Saturday, either.
Saturday night we went to our friends Ray & Marsha's Christmas party. Their son Jason just got into UB dental Friday, so it was celebratory for that reason, also. Everyone gathered out front of their house, Santa was there, and if everyone yelled "Merry Christmas" loud enough, the house Christmas lights would come on. It took a couple of tries, but when they lit up, Clark W. Griswold would have been green (and red) with envy. They even had the elf who wanted to become a dentist in lights, appropriately enough. They also had an awesome spread, including the "Big Night" deep dish extravaganza. Julia & I stayed ok with the diet, except I had a shot of Midleton with Ray and a few other party goers. We had a good time.
This morning, Julia had the nursing home to eucharistic minister. We went to Mass at eight, together, which always makes my spirit soar. While Julia was giving communion to the elders, I picked up our poinsettia order from the school gym. I had to carry them a moderate distance outside, because I parked with poor strategery, and it was pretty cold. The coldest day so far. Not cool enough to bring John & Dan in from hunting, though. Admirable tenacity. The flowers are beautiful, they remind me of Papa. He & Julia found the largest, reddest ones.
Mike came out with the girls, then Julia came home. Dan came in from the fields, warmed up a little, then had to go. John came back an hour or so later. Neither saw anything but tracks. Cecilia phoned, we talked while she was heading into the library. God bless the students as they go through this last week. I am proud to see them do so well.
Once Julia got back, the day developed quite nicely. Julia & Mike went to the village, Louis & I went to Matt & Theresa's and processed his deer. There is a roast in the crockpot as I write.
Mary came home for dinner with Jess Rapone. We had one of Julia's excellent roast chickens, just perfect. She & I cannot have rice on the diet, but the apsaragus and little green beans, haricots vert, were great. Mike took the girls home, Mary & Jess returned to their place, GG went home and Louis is upstairs. A Christmas Story is on in the kitchen, I will help with the few remaining dishes, and go to bed with my love. Or shoot my eye out.
I hope you all had a fine weekend, and a good week coming up. Stay warm and stay in touch. I hope to do the Christmas Eve party and the 26th menu planned this weekend. Julia is eucharistic ministering at the 4:00 Mass on the 24th, so we will start carousing after that. I can't wait.
Saturday night we went to our friends Ray & Marsha's Christmas party. Their son Jason just got into UB dental Friday, so it was celebratory for that reason, also. Everyone gathered out front of their house, Santa was there, and if everyone yelled "Merry Christmas" loud enough, the house Christmas lights would come on. It took a couple of tries, but when they lit up, Clark W. Griswold would have been green (and red) with envy. They even had the elf who wanted to become a dentist in lights, appropriately enough. They also had an awesome spread, including the "Big Night" deep dish extravaganza. Julia & I stayed ok with the diet, except I had a shot of Midleton with Ray and a few other party goers. We had a good time.
This morning, Julia had the nursing home to eucharistic minister. We went to Mass at eight, together, which always makes my spirit soar. While Julia was giving communion to the elders, I picked up our poinsettia order from the school gym. I had to carry them a moderate distance outside, because I parked with poor strategery, and it was pretty cold. The coldest day so far. Not cool enough to bring John & Dan in from hunting, though. Admirable tenacity. The flowers are beautiful, they remind me of Papa. He & Julia found the largest, reddest ones.
Mike came out with the girls, then Julia came home. Dan came in from the fields, warmed up a little, then had to go. John came back an hour or so later. Neither saw anything but tracks. Cecilia phoned, we talked while she was heading into the library. God bless the students as they go through this last week. I am proud to see them do so well.
Once Julia got back, the day developed quite nicely. Julia & Mike went to the village, Louis & I went to Matt & Theresa's and processed his deer. There is a roast in the crockpot as I write.
Mary came home for dinner with Jess Rapone. We had one of Julia's excellent roast chickens, just perfect. She & I cannot have rice on the diet, but the apsaragus and little green beans, haricots vert, were great. Mike took the girls home, Mary & Jess returned to their place, GG went home and Louis is upstairs. A Christmas Story is on in the kitchen, I will help with the few remaining dishes, and go to bed with my love. Or shoot my eye out.
I hope you all had a fine weekend, and a good week coming up. Stay warm and stay in touch. I hope to do the Christmas Eve party and the 26th menu planned this weekend. Julia is eucharistic ministering at the 4:00 Mass on the 24th, so we will start carousing after that. I can't wait.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
By Definition, A Fine Holiday
Thanksgiving was everything I hoped for. Lots of visiting with the fam, wonderful traditional food, a few nice wines. Julia & I were alone in the kitchen well before the others arrived, and we had a bottle of Krug 1988 while we put some dishes together. Any champagne is a treat, especially to have with my love, but a really great one, on a happy day, the two of us in the kitchen....
We got some deer hunting in, Lou got a terrific doe on Friday. Along with the venison from Mike & John, we will eat well this winter. The girls went to see the Christmas show at Shea's, so John, Louis, Miles & I made some sausage from the venison and Louis made his best jerky yet. The sausages were prizewinners, grilled perfectly and fed to the hungry post show crowd. I did not think I could down even one, they are pretty big, but we demolished what was cooked.
The long weekend is also notable. I became acutely aware of how nice it was on returning to the office. This was made even a little less pleasant because Julia & I are south beach dieting. We both feel a little wierd, I think it is from not having wine. After the two week hazing period, limited consumption is OK, so we are hanging on. The dinners together have been pretty nice, though.
The diet is not at all good for stamina. I'm heading for bed. I hope you all sleep well tonight and have a fine day tomorrow. Julia has to report for jury duty tomorrow. We'll see what that brings.
We got some deer hunting in, Lou got a terrific doe on Friday. Along with the venison from Mike & John, we will eat well this winter. The girls went to see the Christmas show at Shea's, so John, Louis, Miles & I made some sausage from the venison and Louis made his best jerky yet. The sausages were prizewinners, grilled perfectly and fed to the hungry post show crowd. I did not think I could down even one, they are pretty big, but we demolished what was cooked.
The long weekend is also notable. I became acutely aware of how nice it was on returning to the office. This was made even a little less pleasant because Julia & I are south beach dieting. We both feel a little wierd, I think it is from not having wine. After the two week hazing period, limited consumption is OK, so we are hanging on. The dinners together have been pretty nice, though.
The diet is not at all good for stamina. I'm heading for bed. I hope you all sleep well tonight and have a fine day tomorrow. Julia has to report for jury duty tomorrow. We'll see what that brings.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Let the Wild Rumpus Begin
Thanksgiving is almost upon us. It is one of my favorite holidays, mostly because of all the things I have to be thankful for. ( I don't think you can end a sentence like that, it is something up with which I will not put.) Tonight, we will begin prepping for the dinner on Thursday. I plan to peel the creaming onions, and drink good red wine with Julia. The turkeys are on the back porch, the pecans for the pies are now gently roasted, they are jaw dropping good. We will have wagyu cheeseburgers first, however. Julia is on her way home, I am going to light the grill.
I can't wait until I see you all this awesome weekend. To those I will not have the pleasure of visiting with, have a great Thanksgiving.
I can't wait until I see you all this awesome weekend. To those I will not have the pleasure of visiting with, have a great Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Time of My Life
Julia & I have been loosely planning dinner together for a week or so, but have been put off by delightful occasions and,a couple of other interruptions. The best delightful occasion was last night, which was Kobe beef chili with Esther, Julia & Miles. GG was here, also. We heard about the train engineer who honked the train horn for them, and Miles told us "how the train goes". What an adventure! Julia was able to see Lisa, Maeve & Addie this afternoon, can't wait to see them myself.
Tonight, after a pretty heavy day in EA, demands comment. We opened a Veuve, and drank moderately, a good bit left in it, but it was so good. Then, we made chicken rice for GG, who has a bug. Next, salt & pepper on thick slices of Hudson valley FG (foie gras, amazingly almost pure calories from fat) browned up then put on spring mix with raspberry and late harvest Vidal from Widmer reduction. Remarkably excellent wine, making us proud to be from NY. The FG is from NY, also, come to think of it. Bursting with pride. You can't drink sweet wine much more than a small glass, so we opened a '99 Dominus, crappy California wine. We have been pretty moderate, but we won't wash the good glasses until morning.
We are listening to my Pandora mix, Great Big Sea presently, which leads to Ireland talk, which leads to reminiscences of past travel. Julia & I have been so fortunate to have taken trips while we are still young enough to remember them. That will probably change before too long. What were we talking about?
Well, tomorrow is Friday. We are all on the edge of our seats for Mike, who probably got the highest score in history on the bar. There must be a frontal lobotomy joke about the bar somewhere in here. I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, anyway, and hope to with Mike this weekend. Amy Winehouse is singing about rehab now, but the night is really young, so this must be a Pandora mistake.
Louis had a good meeting with a banker today. All it takes is good looks & a whole lotta money, you know. It will be incredible to go back into Garvey's all together, to eat Brendan's food (and Ian's) and drink at Lou's bar.
The students, Ceil & Mary, are being crushed, as often happens this time of year. I am proud of them and pray for their good grades, prayers of thanks, of course. Ann Marie's daughter is beginning to student teach, and the hamster in her classroom, Cupcake, expired in front of the third grade today. Not in the lesson plan.
Deer season opens in two days. Louis, John & I erected the world's most awesome hunting stand last Saturday. It was a miraculous series of events that took us from General Welding, to Bach's for a flatbed truck to carry it home, to the field, where nobody was seriously injured. There is still time, though.
Julia has just returned from getting GG into bed. We will hang out together for a while, then go to bed ourselves. The Five Blind Boys of Alabama are now singing LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Pandora does not make many mistakes.
Tonight, after a pretty heavy day in EA, demands comment. We opened a Veuve, and drank moderately, a good bit left in it, but it was so good. Then, we made chicken rice for GG, who has a bug. Next, salt & pepper on thick slices of Hudson valley FG (foie gras, amazingly almost pure calories from fat) browned up then put on spring mix with raspberry and late harvest Vidal from Widmer reduction. Remarkably excellent wine, making us proud to be from NY. The FG is from NY, also, come to think of it. Bursting with pride. You can't drink sweet wine much more than a small glass, so we opened a '99 Dominus, crappy California wine. We have been pretty moderate, but we won't wash the good glasses until morning.
We are listening to my Pandora mix, Great Big Sea presently, which leads to Ireland talk, which leads to reminiscences of past travel. Julia & I have been so fortunate to have taken trips while we are still young enough to remember them. That will probably change before too long. What were we talking about?
Well, tomorrow is Friday. We are all on the edge of our seats for Mike, who probably got the highest score in history on the bar. There must be a frontal lobotomy joke about the bar somewhere in here. I'd rather have a bottle in front of me, anyway, and hope to with Mike this weekend. Amy Winehouse is singing about rehab now, but the night is really young, so this must be a Pandora mistake.
Louis had a good meeting with a banker today. All it takes is good looks & a whole lotta money, you know. It will be incredible to go back into Garvey's all together, to eat Brendan's food (and Ian's) and drink at Lou's bar.
The students, Ceil & Mary, are being crushed, as often happens this time of year. I am proud of them and pray for their good grades, prayers of thanks, of course. Ann Marie's daughter is beginning to student teach, and the hamster in her classroom, Cupcake, expired in front of the third grade today. Not in the lesson plan.
Deer season opens in two days. Louis, John & I erected the world's most awesome hunting stand last Saturday. It was a miraculous series of events that took us from General Welding, to Bach's for a flatbed truck to carry it home, to the field, where nobody was seriously injured. There is still time, though.
Julia has just returned from getting GG into bed. We will hang out together for a while, then go to bed ourselves. The Five Blind Boys of Alabama are now singing LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Pandora does not make many mistakes.
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