The last double take. At least for now.It feels as if there are million things I could or should be doing this evening but I can't seem to focus on any of them. I thought I'd choose some simple diversions — create mini moo.com cards for the blog, start a Blurb book of images, dive into a new book — but I can't muster up the enthusiasm to get started on any of them. Perhaps these endeavors are too much like my day job to seem fun on the weekend, and maybe I'm just burnt out from a fast-paced, meeting-heavy week and feeling physically under the weather.
Last night, however, J and I celebrated a little bit of early Thanksgiving with friends by attending the first annual (hopefully annual) Grateful Harvest Dinner at nearby Elmer's, the local general-store-turned-homey-restaurant that we love. Everything on the night's set menu was grown, raised, or produced within a 100-mile radius and consisted of:
• Savory Brined Turkey
• Roasted Fall Vegetables: Parsnips, Carrots, Brussel sprouts, Acorn Squash
• Gorgonzola and Bacon Mashed Potatoes
• “Old School” Pan Gravy
• Roasted Mushrooms, Green Beans and Caramelized Onions
• Chestnut Dressing
• AnnaBread (made locally)
• Dessert - pumpkin pie or Berkshire ice cream
Also featured were a variety of local hard ciders from West County Cider and local Meade. That the meal was utterly delicious probably goes without saying. How could one go wrong with a menu like that? I don't know specifically what kind of local mushrooms were served but they were dark and meaty and utterly delicious (turns out I like to eat mushrooms as much as I like to photograph them). There was also a tart-yet-sweet berry compote on the plate that didn't appear on the official menu. Post-feast we headed for our friend's house to sip tequila and play dominos until the wee hours. It didn't occur to me until just now that the last time I played dominos was on Thanksgiving proper, a couple of years ago. J and I would always play along with my family on Thanksgiving evening, huddled around our tiny kitchen table sipping cider and snacking, candles flickering in the windows, a fire crackling in the woodstove. I have great memories of those games.
Maybe there will be new traditions. How does the saying go? Friends are family you choose yourself. I always thought that quote implied a dissatisfaction with or rejection of one's actual family and viewed it with suspicion — but latley I see it simply as an acknowledgement of the wider circle one can create.
"Cheers" to life's widening circles.
13 comments:
Yes, cheers to that.
I'm feeling similarly tonight.
Though I didn't have a week like yours.
I want to live where you live. That dinner sounds amazing. Wow.
And the dominos after, perfect.
Don't love to play, but love the chunky white, clicking rectangles.
i've really wanted to start playing the old school games like dominos and crazy 8's. your meal sounds delish.
What a delicious dinner - it sounds like it would make a wonderful tradition, and a very special thing to do with good friends.
just came here via magpie.
Lovely blog! I really enjoy the pics!
Greetings from Northern Germany- LaWendula
love those double shots. meal sounds fab.
Melanie--(lots to say here) I did a Blurb book of images I drew and a story I wrote for my Granddaughter and I was disappointed in some respects. It was a small book so the cover was flimsy (my fault I guess) and they keep a certain portion of the profit unless you sell so many copies. Oh well. I have it now.--Love the meal and I have visions of owning a small kind of place like that but too much hard work. Wish I had that kind of place in my town. Oh...the mashed potatoes! My mouth is drooling! And the Moo.com cards? What are they? And how do you get your photos to post side-by-side? And dominoes and tequilla? Great combo!! I will need to email you next time. So much to say...so little space.
m, that sounds like a perfect evening. and i know that you can create your own family. i have done it at times when i've lived far from my own fam. it is quite cozy feeling and warm and worth it. i will miss the double takes. :-)
Bethany, I think you'd love it here I wish you were closer!
I often feel like I should be doing things... then realise that all of life is like that - those things that should be done. It's important to leave time for idle imagination and contemplation though I think! I am having a weekend like you. Next week I'm sure to do what I should've done this weekend but with more energy!
Cheers to your widening circle then! ;-) PS what is Berkshire Ice Cream?
That dinner sounds amazing, and I love that it was all local too.
There's a domino game called "42" that I used to play sometimes in college. It's a Texas thang. I don't think too many kids learn how to play it these days.
dinner sounds delish...
those shots are so calming.
xo
Hi Ange, Berkshire ice cream is all-natural ice cream produced locally from Golden Guernsey cream. Very yummy.
Your early Thanksgiving sounds delicious...hope it does turn out to be annual!...I had to smile at the dominoes game mentioned...maybe it is a RI thing as we play dominoes frequently with family and friends lately..and always after Thanksgiving dinner if we aren't playing Scattagories:)
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