Dinner on the Block

On Monday, my (usual) day off, during which I always hike to the garden for my dinner, I did the same ritual, filling my basket to the brim, making it cumbersome to get home. Winter vegetables are really gratifying to me, their wholesomeness and flavor, as satisfying as meat. I loaded my basket with Savoy spinach, kale, a head of romanesco and one of cauliflower, some spring onions and a few daffodils and a single rose (the day before pruning) for my bedside vase.

Daniel moved his chickens, new laying pullets, I should say, down to the sheep pen. They are so excited to roam and graze, plucking through the dung-laden hay, for grubs. This summer they should make a great dent in the fly population, and in turn return us the favor of flavorful, fertile eggs. Old Man Red, the short-tempered and very territorial rooster who regularly pokes at Daniel's boots (and his hens), jabbing with his razor sharp daggered feet, is still a viril male and looks after his new pullets with great affection and zeal.

Daniel brought me a little basket full of eggs the other night. The eggs are small and brown. I was excited to try them, as we awaited their arrival for many months.

So, to the point of my story. The beauty of simplicity. The unique and fully satisfying experience of a meal completely sourced from within your immediate surroundings. You couldn't get it anywhere-but right here.

I sauteed some kale with ample shallot. Two farm fresh eggs went into the pan to be returned, perfectly basted. The flavor of the eggs was incredible. I doubt I've ever tasted such an egg, and I eat them from the pen, fresh-laid, regularly. Both were lubed up with Sevillano olive oil from Daniel's trees at Nickel & Nickel. I popped open a bottle brought to me during a recent visit from Alexandra, the perpetual wanderer-currently residing in Spain. Her 2004 Pinot Noir shiner was perfect for the occasion. Alone, by candlelight, I savored the simplicity of the concoction. I wondered if anyone would ever understand how intensly flavorful and satisfying my simple meal of sauteed garden greens and two basted fresh laid eggs with Dago red could be. I still wonder.

How lucky we are. Cheers to the new pullets, having arrived at the Maiden stage, and thanks to the Red Rooster for granting them more fertile flavor. Thanks to the sheep for attracting the bugs that make the eggs so flavorful. Most of all, thanks to the man who lets the birds out and puts them safely in at night, so as not to let the sneaky, hungry cats in to feast as they did earlier this year. Thanks to Alex for her raw, uninhibited and unpretentious style, exemplified in her life and her wine. And thanks to Pat for building Casa Paloma and letting me live in the safety of her womb. I have enjoyed many a dinner of this sort alone here, by the light of the wood stove glow.

Blissful Romance

Daniel never ceases to amaze me. He keeps me smiling, loving, and always challenges me to look at things in different ways. I am greatful to have such an amazing partner. Our relationship is one that is timeless and well traveled, as I imagine we have been united throughout our souls' journeys. Today, after a weekend of bliss, I can only revel in the sea of selfless love my partner bestowes upon me.

After the aforementioned trying week, I began a Saturday with a surprising shift of perspective and inertia that propelled me through to today. I cleaned out 4 1/2 years worth of computer dis-organization at work! I accomplished so much in record time that I would have never believed it possible! I had a rescheduled massage appointment from the day mentioned below. When I arrived, my therapist informed me of two lovely things: in regret for her having missed our Thursday appointment, she had a gift certificate for a half session waiting for me, and, Daniel had been there the previous day and had treated me to my appointment! Wow! I proceeded to enjoy yet another transcendental, 2 1/2 hour massage. Fabulous.

When I left, I stumbled upon a message left on my cell phone. My sweet love had informed me that no matter how I felt, how I looked, or what I had planned, I should drop it all and meet him at Auberge, our regular "neighborhood bar and grill," Relais~Chateau style. And so I did. With a pleasantly radiant greasy face and body, and in my jumpsuit, I applied a little MAC liner and lips and sauntered through the bar to meet him at the deck. A beautiful night it was, stars out, twinkling in the oddly warm January splendor. Always reading my mind, a half bottle of bubbly was being cradled in the bucket alongside the table. Nicolas Feiullatte, a special selection of which I cannot reiterate, was poured into my glass. Its noble and yeasty bouquet met with the pre-orderd oysters on the half shell and tuna tartare with a splendid affinity. Sneaky, sneaky, man!

He toted with him a bottle procured on our recent trip to Oregon; a 2006 Archery Summit Premier Cuvee. To show it in its best light, we ordered our favorite gnocchi with wild mushrooms and parmesan nage. Next was delivered a new york steak with more mushrooms and thinly chiffonaded brussels sprouts. Perfect.

Off we went. It was still early. Any thought of going home to collect my "necessities" rolled away with the previous week's tribulations, and we entered his house to continue enjoying one another's company. We opened a fun, unassuming standby, Graham's Six Grapes, and he played for me some old Enigma while we took a hot tub. I'll allow you to surmise your own conclusions for the rest of the evening!

The morning greeted us with equal enthusiasm, and we headed right back to the Auberge to enjoy an unseasonable warm Sunday morning on the very same deck. With another bottle of Feuillatte, a glass of Billicart-Salmon, the day was already off to an amazing start. He read the paper,and my mind traveled in its usual, deeply inquisitive ways.

We opted for a four wheeler ride, and I continued drinking champagne as I read The Mists of Avalon on his sun filled deck.

Later, I made braised Chicken with mushrooms and homemade fettucini. We enjoyed a bottle of Dave's wine, a 2004 Craven Lattin Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Yum.

Tonight I made a good ol' standby with left over braised pork shoulder...split pea soup with generous chunks of full moon butchered estate pork.

This morning I came home to a magnificent holiday of spring welcome. And, in a decision to start a blog to which Daniel does not have to feel responsible, I created a new blog. For those who enjoy my crazy rantings, you may access it at the link provided...

Bon Soir!