Women Are Like That

It may not be an exact translation…but it will likely increase the number of google hits on this issue of the blog.

Friday night we travelled to Cambridge to meet up with the Morris and Manz adults (I guess we are all getting to be adults...so the senior adults)—along with Laura Nassau (also a senior adult)—to see Thomas Morris (a less senior adult) perform in the Commonwealth Opera Companies' production of Mozart’s  Cosi Fan Tutte.  During the show the super-titles—opposite of sub-titles—showed ‘Women Are Like That’ as a loose translation of the title. Robert Morris (ibid on the whole less senior adult thing) also met us at the theater.

The basic premise of the opera is that Thomas (in the blue shirt) and his friend—to his right in this photo—are convinced that their fiancées will remain faithful to them should they be tempted.  The actor to Thomas’ furthest right bets that the women will not last a day.

Obviously a farcical comedy,there were twists and turns with many sexual innuendos, all brought to a more modern setting.  It was fun to watch and having the super-titles made it easy to follow the plot and just enjoy the music.  Thomas was, as usual, great.

Following the performance we all piled into our vehicles and headed for the Morris Estate in Standish, ME.  It was fairly late when we arrive, but that didn’t stop us from standing around the kitchen visiting.  Also, since James has a milestone  birthday in the offing, Dan and I—his partners in crime—went together to bring him an 18 year old scotch.

Since we had the bottle and some glasses in the cupboard, we did try a wee dram each to make sure it was passable as a birthday gift.  We guys commented on the smokiness, the buttery smell and the caramel finish…our wives made comments about the odor, but no where near as complimentary.

Below you can see James explaining the fineries of the scotch and Liz’s reaction to him; Dan’s studious and contemplative pose as he enjoyed a pre-scotch ale; Laura’s bemusement with the goings-on; and Stephanie having nothing to do with it.  Our normal type of get-together.

Although we didn’t arise as early as usual the next morning—James surprisingly beat us all and had a nice fire going as well as outdoor gear laid out for the morning—it was still a reasonable hour.  Our plans included the men heading out for some snow-shoeing while Cheri and Liz  did a nice run around the neighborhood.

There were no pictures of the ladies in their running attire, but suffice it to say they did get in a 2 mile run while we were out playing with Angus, the dog, in the snow.  We did arrive back at the house to find fresh brewed coffee and Stephanie had prepared a huge waffle and maple bacon breakfast for us. 

Following breakfast the ladies positioned themselves between the fire and the fireplace screen.  Effectively absorbing all of the excess heat before it leaked into the room and overwhelmed the rest of us.  Cheri also took the time to show off the sweater she just finished for Jess’ Christmas present (Jess did see it in major pieces on Christmas).

Too soon the Vermont contingency needed to pack up and get on the road back to the Northwest Shore of New England. Dan was scheduled to work Rescue Service Saturday evening, so they needed to be back in time for him to head to the station.

Cheri and I had already decided to maximize our time spent with friends Down East so we ran some errands and then met James and Stephanie at a local movie theater to see Avatar in 3D—if you have not done this, you should...a little over the top with the portrayal of the Marine Colonel, but a good story and amazing effects.

We made it back to the Morris Estate in time to have some of Stephanie’s home-made pizza and watch a little football.  If we didn’t have commitments to do the flowers in church and greet—Cheri in both cases—or sing in the choir—guess who—then we would probably have stayed another evening.  Even still it was only a 2 hour 45 minute jaunt back to Woodstock, CT (don’t bother doing the math; suffice it to say I was over the speed limit on some portions of the Interstate).

Cheri and I agreed several times on the trip home that this was an outstanding weekend and another great Adventure.

Some Celebrated New Year’s While Some of Us Labored in the Past

The picture above could go next to my profile…Swedish Fish, coffee, sailing and connecting with the kids, here and in Australia…kinda says it all.

Following the Swenson Family get-together on Sunday we headed back to Connecticut arriving late in the evening.  It was early to bed and late to rise (somewhat) for the three of us.  Then time to prepare for the next round of guests.

James and Stephanie Morris arrived at our house in the late afternoon on Monday along with James' brother Harold and his wife Nancy.  Once again the house was full…and it was wonderful. 

Harold and Nancy are both very gracious and enjoyable, and it was a pleasure to have the extended Morris family in our home.  As is usual when James and I get together we decided to open some good red wine—actually a separate white zinfandel for Harold…he’s a cheap date—but not before we tried some 21 year old Bushmill’s single malt Irish Whiskey to whet the palate.  Nancy, Cheri and Jess were first provided with Lemon Drop Martinis—which Liz Manz will tell you is her ‘new favorite drink’…and we commented on that observation—while we men-folk also tried a little tangueray and tonic…also to whet the palate.


The evening also called for some more red meat—NY strips and filets in this case—a simple salad of sliced tomatoes, onions, mozzarella and basil in a balsamic vinegar and water bath—an adapted Stephanie Morris method—and the remainder of the sour-cream hash brown potatoes.  Combined with the great red wine (except for the great white zin that Harold enjoyed) it was another great holiday meal.


Suffice it to say that with the food, the wine and some after-dinner experimenting with single malt Scotch—it was an international comparison to counter the earlier Irish offering and a separate request to prove that Remy Martin is actually made with twice distilled VSOP champagne—there were no pictures taken.  However, we, the guys, did watch some football and the distaff part of the crowd planted themselves in front of a nice fire to visit and relax after the meal.


The next morning was a leisurely start with coffee and omelets before sending the Morris family off to the home of Yankee Candle.  Separately, I had been having some issues with the Saab’s battery and decided that this was a good day to make the replacement—that plus the car would neither start nor hold a charge. 


Typically, this would be a simple take out the old, go to a auto parts store, buy a new one, replace and voila…done.  The problem in this case—the combination of battery location, rusted bolts holding the battery frame in place (it hasn’t been moved in six years), and a lack of the proper metric tools—made me decide to take it to a local shop and let them deal with it.  Fortunately, it was pretty much an in-and-out event that took care of the issue and we are back fully on the road.


Wednesday I was back in the office while Cheri made sure that Jessica made it to the airport in time for her return flight to Phoenix.  The office time was light and I was able to clear up some end-of-year items.  Jess was a little delayed in her flight, but she did arrive safely late that evening.


Thursday both Cheri and I headed off to spend some time at work. Around 9 am (Eastern Time) Sarah sent me an Instant Message wishing me an early Happy New Year—she was already an hour into 2010 while the rest of us were still at work on New Year’s Eve.   By 11 am I was ready to head home, and I wanted to watch first the Air Force Bowl Game and then the Navy Bowl Game.  Both Service Academies won, which was a great close out to the year!


I took advantage of the time at home to use up some of the leftovers from our holiday dinners.  The ribs from Christmas Dinner went into a pot with vegetables and herbs to simmer for ten hours and make a great beef stock.  Since there were a few football games on it was easy to get the stock started, watch some games, and then check occasionally to make sure nothing was sticking or burning.


We didn’t stay up late on New Year’s Eve.  Cheri was in bed before midnight and I did watch a game and then some of the festivities until just after midnight and then off to bed myself.


I did get up early and took the next step in using leftovers—and some new items.  Onions were sliced and added to my chef’s pan with a few tablespoons of butter and placed over a low heat to start carmelizing the onions.  Over the next few hours the onions went from being firm and white to flimsy and mahogany—the natural sugars in the onion browning up nicely.

As the onions started to stick…and before burning…it was time to add about a half cup of white wine and scrape up any of the sticky parts—the good stuff—from the pan.
 
After simmering for another thirty minutes it was time to add about four cups of the beef stock made over the last day.  A slice of toast, some mozzarella cheese and voila…our New Year’s Day dinner!

It’s a new year and tomorrow we will be up and off to spinning class once again (it is after all a Saturday).  Then errands and the Christmas decorations start to come down.  The trees will wait a bit…after all it isn’t St. Knute’s Day yet.

The Holiday Season was great and we loved having our house full so many times.  If you didn’t make it here this year remember you are always invited.

Happy New Year to all…and on to more Adventures.