Happy Birthday John!

OK, it's a couple of days early, but I won't be able to blog on the actual big day so... Consider this post a free pass to eat a disgusting amount of chocolate, and oh! Perhaps some prepared foods if we can put our hands on something worthy (that's his thing, prepared foods; as he describes it, it comes from growing up "with a deli tradition." I...don't have a response.) And def some kill frites with a glass of red wine (we share a love for that combo, ha). Good Things! For a Good Man. He deserves every single one of them and more.

(He's laughing with his brother Tom, above, while snarfing Blue Sky Creamery ice cream - not an unusual sight when these two get together. Hey, Happy Birthday Tom - April 20th - as well! And Happy Birthday to my aunt Marge, sandwiched between the Levy brothers on April 19th - hope you loved Jersey Boys!)

Such a pretty, gray day. I just love snow, ice, freezing rain, slush, and gusting winds in April. Refreshing! Plus, it's so great for the hair, shoes, and spirit. Yeah.

Actually, it is good for the spirit...to get the giggles. Which is exactly what happened last night, after another amazing performance of Jersey Boys, when Mom and I had to make our way across the street to the parking ramp. The icy-slushy sidewalks made for excruciatingly slow, dangerous going (in heels no less, ack). The wind was too strong for an umbrella. So we just had to take it, 40 mph gusts driving heavy, wet snow into our hair, faces, and coats. We thankfully made it inside, took one look at each other, and burst out laughing. What else can you do? We looked like two drowned rats! At least it was the end of the night, sheesh.

Despite the nightmare weather, it was a pretty fantastic night. As I said, Jersey Boys completely rocked (again), I loved seeing it a second time. We preceded the performance with a lovely dinner at Palomino - garlicky shrimp scampi for Mom, a bowl of the best minestrone I have ever had for me. That soup, I craved it today. Rich broth, chewy pasta, tender beans and vegetables, topped with a crouton and a generous grating of cheese.

I couldn't have eaten it today, though, too full from the coconut rice pudding I had at Suz's this morning (Friday Morning Coffee with Suz)! OMG, delicious, creamy, decadent, the perfect comfort food. Who the hell needs lunch when you have coconut rice pudding? We did our usual gab and shriek and evil gossip and I'm now fortified with good cheer for the weekend. Hey, we all know our fair share of unhappy, crazy people - they're everywhere, unforch - but nothing balances it all out better than other amazing women - girlfriends, sisters, step/mothers, aunts. I am disgustingly lucky to have them all and oh, am I grateful, very, very grateful. Thanks - yet again - ladies!

So! Every-other Friday I have dinner a la moi, and this happens to be one of those Fridays. As I've mentioned before (bit repetitive today, sorry), I take the opportunity to make and eat things that no one else in the fam much digs: kale, okra, tofu, polenta, brown rice, squash, brussels sprouts, beans, miso, beets, veggie burgers, cabbage. Good things. Healthy-yummy things. Things that some men and children have decided to not like (long sigh). Tonight I'm planning tabbouleh (heavy on the parsley, tomatoes, and cukes), a garbanzo salad I bought at Whole Foods (with mint and red onions, tasty), and braised kale. Rarrr...

With lots of HOT tea! In front of a WARM fire! Baby, it's cold outside - stay warm out there!

Oh man, I almost missed a terrific night last night. I was soooo tired, and not feeling all that great, but John and I had tickets to the musical Jersey Boys, playing at the Orpheum, so I had to motivate. I spiffed up a bit, but I admit - I bitched and moaned all the way there. (I'm not a big fan of the whole Broadway musical thing, plus I was feeling lousy, plus I tend to bitch and moan in general...) But once the music started up - wowzers! I was completely blown away. By the end my tired ass was dancing in my seat and my face hurt from smiling (they dropped enough f-bombs for even me to crack a smile, wink). Fabulous, I can't recommend it highly enough. "Oh, What a Night!"

Today? Fish Soup Friday, yep. No kids tonight, always a good chance for fish (since neither are fans, to say the least). And I'm wanting something simple, light, and nutritious. A slice of grilled bread, rubbed with fresh garlic, gives the soup a substantial feel. Roasted broccoli alongside rounds things out nicely.

Happy Weekend!