Saturday, May 16, 2009

Dinner alfresco with my favorite guy

Today, after an appointment for my husband, we stopped at one of my favorite sushi places in Middletown to get a meal to go. For me. My husband does not like sushi. At all.

When we got home, I thought it might be nice to dine alfresco under the trees that are in a circle in the backyard. I call them The Seven Sisters because there’s seven of them. Some are still whole and two are almost gone, but the circle is still there.

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It was a nice place to dine. And my best buddy George came outside with me.

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I ordered roll sushi: An order of spicy tuna and one called Maryland. And I’m serving it with a light pinot grigio from Italy.

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For the life of me, I cannot use chopsticks. I have tried. And tried. I have been patient. I am adept at many things, but the chopsticks . . . no. And it saddens me immensely.

And then I remember the scene in Kill Bill where Pai Mei tells the Bride (Uma Thurman):

“If you want to eat like a dog, you can live and sleep outside like a dog. If you want to live and sleep like a human, pick up those sticks!”

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And then I get scared because I can’t pick up the sticks.

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Thankfully, I don’t live in a movie and I can use a friggen fork.

But I really do want to learn. I do.

 

And now, I’d like to present a guest photo. 

This was taken by my friend, Tracey [she’s the one on the left]. She sent it to me in an e-mail last night, telling me that she climbed a tree to get this shot! She had to be very careful and was worried that the momma bird would come swooping down at any moment and try to peck out her eyes like in The Birds.

I think we both watch too many movies, don’t you?

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Anyway, it’s a beautiful shot. Thanks, my friend!

Tracey’s son, Nick, is graduating this year from our school. Her daughter, Lauren, is my son’s best friend. I love her kids.

I loved reading your comments on the fill in the blanks from yesterday. It’s always fun getting to know you all! And Blackie thanks you. She says that she knows she is beautiful, but thanks for noticing.

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George, on the other hand, is my best boy ever. He’s sitting at my feet as I write this and I am so glad he’s mine. Ours. You know what I mean.

I’m planning on watching Farrah tonight. Are you? I know it’s going to be sad but I’ve always liked her. Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

29 comments:

Sue said...

your little Sushi picnic on the lawn looked lovely although I'll agrre with the husband...I hate sushi...can't stand the smell of the seaweed....the nest picture is amazing...your friend has nerve climbing a tree to get the shot...and thanks for including the shot of George...Have a great weekend...

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Loved the little naked birds in the nest. So Sweet. No, can't watch Farrah until my chemicals are back to normal in the old brain. I have been crying over the most silly things. I will DVR it and watch it when I am better. Enjoy your weekend in spite of the fact that you cannot master the chopsticks. I am a fork girl, too.

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

I am like your husband..not a shushi lover but your picture sure makes it look mighty appetizing! The bird photo is so cool...surprised the mama bird didn't swoop down!

Char said...

I wish I liked sushi....I really do. but I'm glad you like it. great shots as always.

Anonymous said...

Yummy sushi!!!! i really love sushi that's why i oblige my self to learn how to do one.
about your second picture, it scares me a little because the birdies have red thin skin and they look like a tiny baby mouse..
have a great weekend!!!

Mary said...

I'm with your husband -- definitely not a sushi eater!!! But your photos of it are still beautiful. :) Love the wisteria also. Have a nice weekend, and don't forget Mosaic Monday on Sunday night. ;)
xoxo,
Mary

Unknown said...

I will send you some teaching chop sticks...you will be a pro in no time.

Woman in a Window said...

"Thankfully, I don’t live in a movie and I can use a friggen fork." Sometimes your funny sneaks up with sticks and pokes me in the arse!

Flea said...

Hi George!

Chopsticks are brutal. That's why God gave us forks, right?

Skogkjerring said...

Loved the idea of eating your dinner in the company of the "seven sisters." There is actually a waterfall here in Norway called the Seven sisters and it's seven different waterfalls next to each other coming out of a tall mountain- really astonishing to see...we took a boat ride from Geiranger (famous for the fjord photos of Norway) and past the seven sisters...recommended if you ever get this way.
I am afraid I don't like sushi either, even though it looks beautiful and you captured it very nicely.
George has been and always will be a beautiful dog and I'm glad he makes you so happy- didn't get time to comment about Blackie yesterday but she's gorgeous also...but as you said, cats already know these things, it's the dogs who need continuous confirmation that they are loved...the cats could care less if you loved them but know you probably do and they're cool with that!!!

The Pink Geranium or Jan's Place said...

wonderful shots. .the house looks like a postcard.. I am really eying that camera of yours.. as you get some great shots...

happy weekend!

Jan

BB said...

You know what? I adore chopsticks... I know, you want to throw something at me!! That's OK. I didn't learn til I was in my mid-20s. And Mr I taught me. The show off. And I KNOW it's hard, but here is why it worth persisting...

It makes you take MORSELS instead of MOUTHFULs.
It makes you SAVOUR instead of INHALE.
It's FUN, and you feel kinda DAINTY when you do it (I know that's a bit stretch for me!).

Hang in there... get someone who really knows what they are doing to show you. Love the baby birds too.
:-)
BB

noble pig said...

Just get the kids chopsticks that are connected at the top and go with that. The shots are all beautiful and the birds...OMG.

Mrs. E said...

I am not a naked bird lover, BUT I want to sit under your trees and eat Sushi & drink a bit (or a lot) of wine in that beautiful spot! Have a great weekend!
PS. First visit to your blog. Pretty sure I'll be back!

Hilary said...

Your sushi looks delicious. You sure to have a way with that camera, and your friend's photo is wonderful.

Mental P Mama said...

Beautiful shots! And I don't like sushi either. I completely forgot about Farrah. Was it sad?

Anonymous said...

oh Katie! You are sooooo sweet. I am honored to have a photo on your blog! Thank you so much. It really does mean so much to me!

Anonymous said...

oh, duh, that was obviously me!

ts ;)

Daryl said...

I will teach you to use chop stix, if this awkward lefty can do it, you can too .. My remedial class will be next Sat at a sushi place here ... and I love those baby birds ...

Deb said...

I love sushi. And picnics under the Seven Sisters. I love reading your blog.
that's it...:)

tj said...

...Hi Kate!*waving* That looks like a lovely setting to eat dinner by... The sushi thing kinda creeps me out tho', if I'da been there I would've asked, "so Kate, you got any mac 'n' cheese?"... ;o)

...Love the baby bird shot too! That photo speaks volumes without saying a word doesn't it?...

...Have a nice weekend!

...Blessings... :o)

imom said...

Lovely picnic area! I use chop sticks very well, but I'm with your husband on the sushi!

Anonymous said...

You always have so many comments that I hesitate to add one to make your reading longer. But I did want to pass on an award to you the Butterfly award - I know you can't possible follow all the blogs that follow you but it would be nice if you could pop over and pick up the award from my blog. I have two blogs and it is on my "projects" blog.

ELK said...

what a delightful picnic Kate...not much on the sushi but the wine gets a big thumbs up~i felt like I was right there with you~

Unknown said...

Sounds like a wonderful place to have a picnic. I love eating outside!

I just love the picture of the baby birds they look so delicate

Sadao said...

Being an Asian, using chopsticks is like a second nature, but I use a fork when I eat noodles. It's just easier to pick up noodle with a fork. It's called leverage. I usually choose practicality over silent disdain at restaurants.

Anonymous said...

I was wondering if your best guy was George or your dh...

Ellen said...

I'm with the infamous "husband viewed from the back" - sushi - GAH - sorry.

Your ring of trees is a beautiful venue.

Flat Creek Farm said...

What a perfect evening! Your photos are among the very very best I've seen. Beautiful, thought-provoking. I love sushi also, hate chopsticks. Yes, I did watch Farrah, and cried like a baby several times. So sad, but her never-give-up attitude is certainly inspiring. -tammy