Flying By
I woke up this morning and thought to myself that the weekend is going by too fast. That can't be the case however as it's only Saturday morning, so I think it's the fact that Thursday and Friday felt like a weekend....
Thursday after work we went out to Prairie Fruits Farm for the sunset wine tasting. Of course the rain and clouds precluded watching the sunset....but it was delightful inside the barn. I enjoyed the wine tasting of course....loved the first one which is unusual because normally I'm a straight up Chardonnay kind of girl. The food was marvelous. Of course their cheeses are incredible, it goes without saying, and paired with some blackberries, some pecans and good bread it was pretty great. Toss up for best appetizer would be either the pork belly on a corn/polenta kind of cake with jalopeno jelly on top. I might have that a little wrong but you get the idea. The other one I adored was some kind of basil/walnut pesto and eggplant on a crostini or a bruschetta (what is the difference anyway?). It was one of those things that was WAY more than the sum of its parts.
the goats seemed quite taken with Ernie...
After that we trotted over to Krannert Center for the Ellnora opening night. I felt terrible for the restaurants set up outside as I think the rain pretty much killed their business but inside was amazing. Damn but they do that well. Wandering through a room full of our beloved Mark Rubel's guitars is nothing but pleasure. Ran into lots of people we knew and had a great time. One of the nicest moments was hanging out for a bit with Stephanie and Joe...thought back to Mabel's a million years ago and the fact that I never could have imagined that we'd be standing together all these years later, still listening to loud music and drinking wine...but talking about our kids and the Romantics. Life is funny but I like it pretty well....
We admired the banner that listed all the local bands....took a picture of the Milktoast entry and giggled a lot.... Heard Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely, Vieux Farka Touré (great) and then Lanois' Black Dub. Towards the end of Black Dub we decided to head out. As we neared downtown we began to worry that the boys wouldn't be asleep yet so we stopped at Fries and Peanuts for a nightcap and a couple of peanuts.
When we eventually made our way home we found Owen sound asleep smack dab in the middle of the bed. His accompanying note said:
Dear Mom and Daddy, I thought it would be fine if I slept in your bed because 1. It's been raining and stopping, raining and stopping. 2. Because you're out late, really! late. 3. Just because I really want to and I know you guys will understand and if you really don't want me t sleep with you then you can get me out. Sincerley, Owen Bl.
Whaddya gonna do?
Friday was a half day for everybody. Ernie and I did our Friday lunch and headed home and met with a contractor to talk about our bathroom. I REALLY liked him so cross your fingers and we'll see what numbers he comes up with. Then Ernie and I trundled off to WEFT and had a really good time talking about house concerts on Smile Politely's radio show.
OH yes, and while we were at Fries and Peanuts in the afternoon another regular came over (there are perks to being a regular) and just plain GAVE us two tickets for Taj Mahal and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. I KNOW! It was SO kind of her. Even though I really wanted to go---particularly to see the Chocolate Drops----I thought it would be a nice treat for Owen. So he and Ernie went. Before they left I made him promise to have someone take a picture of the two of them at the show. Did he remember? NO. But they reportedly had a fabulous time and they were both very happy so I forgave them.... Owen chatted and chatted when they got home and I just sleepily nodded at him... What a wonderful bit of serendipity.
Today? We hit the farmers' market and bought a huge amount of vegetables. Lord but September is my favorite month at the market. It was so FRAGRANT today.....as soon as you walked in you could smell the melons and when we got the corn there was that wonderfully grassy scent....walked by the last of the peaches....it was just scents and smells everywhere. Nothing better.
Now we're home listening to the boys playing. Ernie's reading the paper, I'm here and need to start making some to do/to buy lists for the Tommy Womack party next Friday. Don't forget people.....potluck at 6 next Friday....I'm making a big batch of ratatouille with some grilled sausages on the side....bring whatever you like and you will be treated to a GREAT night of music. $20 ahead or $25 day of the show (kids are free, as are women with infants)....we greatly appreciate it if you can pay ahead of time (paypal link at top right of this page) but don't NOT come because you haven't paid ahead of time, o.k? Please COME....we want a good crowd for him. He'll have bass player Dan Seymour with him----should be great.
And later tonight we'll see Richard Thompson. Man....I don't think I could do this every weekend...but I LIKE it.....
our bounty from the farmers' market....much of it meant for ratatouille....
of course Bob always shows up when there are fresh vegetables.... here is Owen trying to lure him away with a green bean....
and off he goes....