A Special Dinner for Two
Ein gluckliches Neues Jahr!
Laimingu Nauju metu!
Happy New Year!
And may we wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2007.
Yesterday (January 1, 2007) was a laid back sort of day. Saturday we drove home from southern California where we had been for three weeks, combining a little business with some relaxation and pleasure. (The pleasure included a visit from a few of our children and two grandchildren during the Christmas holiday.)
Our day began with a continuum of putting things back to normal, followed by an afternoon of some good football: Patrick White’s performance in West Virginia’s win over Georgia Tech was impressive. We were thrilled with the PAC 10 showing, wins by USC, CAL and Oregon State, and pleased with the Boise State upset of Oklahoma. Quarterback Jared Zabransky has been quite the shining star.
It seems somewhat amazing to us as we listen to the announcers during some of the games that the enthusiasm invariably seems to surround the big eastern teams (and always Notre Dame, although Oregon State has beat them several times in bowl games, but I digress). Following the win by USC, the announcers were so subdued by comparison to our excitement. It was like attending a wake rather than a victory. But who cares about football anyway!
Our evening was an event. My husband wanted to take me out for dinner, but I decided that since it WAS my birthday, I got to choose. Cooking is something I love to do, and if I have to say so, I’m pretty good at it. Thus, we generally seem to have a better meal at home than if we go to a restaurant. One of our sons called with well wishes and asked what our plans were for the evening, and my husband told him he was ‘… being so good to your Mom, that I’m going to let her cook dinner for her birthday’. What a sense of humor! we both have.
It was a simple meal: fresh Ahi encrusted with macadamia nuts and freshly ground pepper and quickly seared in olive oil; a cold crisp wedge of iceberg lettuce with a creamy Caesar dressing; and a wonderful 2001 King Estate Pinot Noir from the Pfeiffer Vineyards. There is a spice about this wine that when combined with the black pepper taste of the tuna, makes you say, “Hmmm. WOW! It doesn’t get much better than that.”
It was indeed a special dinner for two.
