Last Saturday I was "delivery babe."  I took some lunches to the Folk Art Center for their Heritage Day volunteers.  Turns out that Saturday's highlight there was the WORLD Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle" contest!!!

 

This little Appalachian folk toy is really a simple little notched stick that, when rubbed the right way, makes a little propellor on the end of the stick turn to the right (gee) or the left (haw.)

 

Our sweet potato salad dresses up nicely.  It can also be casual.

 

Me too.

 

I actually got to PERFORM this particular wedding last week.  The bride's mother is a friend and, having no particular religious affiliation, they asked me if I would consider becoming an officiant.  I looked into it and am, indeed, now able to perform weddings as a Universal Life Minister.

 

Dinners come with a freshly-made green salad, salad dressing of the day,

and made-right-here bread of the day. We take reservations until noon or so.

Please order by phone (252-1500), by fax (252-0200)

or stop in to speak to one of us in person.

 

Dinners are ready at 3:00 and can be picked up until we close at 8:00 pm.

 

Monday September 28 Chicken and Gorgonzola Fettuccine 10.25

Tuesday September 29 Shrimp and Avocado Tostada 12.25

Wednesday September 30 *Brendan’s Choucroute Garni (“Dressed Sauerkraut”) with Giacomo’s Sausage 12.75

Thursday October 1 Flank Steak Fajitas 10.25

Friday October 2 Crab Cakes with Remoulade and Spicy Slaw 13.75

* these items are Gluten Free

We make a special casserole each Wednesday.

Order by noon or so. Order a half if you have around 4 folks. If you have a bigger group, or you just like leftovers, order a full-sized one.

 

Then come pick up between 3:00 and 8:00. (Or bring a gang and enjoy your dinner right here. WE DO have beer and wine by the glass, you know.)

 

This week's special casserole is for Wednesday, September 30:

Elsie’s Beef Stroganoff

Half: 25

We often have meetings with folks who bring their children.  Up until now we have not had much to offer in the toy department.  Now we do!

 

We have a growing assortment of regional, artisanal cheeses to offer on parties.  Last night this was one of the starters: gorgeous cheeses from here and there garnished with the loveliest fresh figs (not local, but still sweetly delicious) and tiny champagne grapes.

 

September 26, 2009

 

Hiya hiya,

 

It’s a rainy day here. 90-100% chance of rain. And we have an outdoor wedding this afternoon. Ah, so it goes. I only need to think about the food. Everyone else has much more on their mind. To be truthful, I’m glad I’m not the wedding planner today. I mean, we WILL be affected, as the reception is under a tent and, um, we’re going to get wet (that is, my staff is going to.)

 

Last week’s wedding was supposed to be outside too, but it was a small one and everyone easily squeezed into the house. Tonight’s count is 175. Not so easily accommodated. Like I said, it will be a wet one.

 

I came in early last week to help with final cookingon Sunday’s wedding before I became “Reverend Masterton.” Kris was the party captain and, after she gathered all the food and took off, I came into my office to gather my thoughts. I had warned Kris that the rental items, stashed under a tent, might be tricky to reach, since the field was probably saturated with rain. Sure enough, about 20 minutes later the phone rang. The van, empty of the food (fortunately) was stuck.

 

“We’re fine,” she said. “We have the food and all the rental items. But the van is stuck.”

 

“Okay,” I said, “we’ll take care of it later.”

 

I returned to my wedding notes, printed them out, changed from cook to something more suitable for my new ministerial position, and drove to the wedding.

 

All was sweet. I realized that I needed to be the wedding director too, which was fine, since I used to do stage management. We got everyone in place, gathered in the living room, conducted a very nice little wedding, toasted the new couple and carried on. As the guests were enjoying the meal I slipped away and called AAA. No one noticed when the tow truck came. No one saw our van getting pulled out of the muck. No one suspected a thing.

 

I came back in, said my goodbyes, and went home to spend the afternoon dozing and reading the paper with my dog and cat, who were both delighted to have me to nap with.

 

It’s been a very full time lately. One of the best parts of these days is the stories that go along with the work. I welcome them, and guess that we’ll have some more after tonight’s rain fest.

 

I go to NY this week to speak to the students of the Culinary Institute of America about being a woman entrepreneur. Fun stuff. Having never attended culinary school, I am particularly honored to be asked to speak. I’ll tell you all about it, and about anything else that might happen in the meantime when I write again next Saturday.