Rummy-O & Rummy-O!

A good Monday at bingo (both of us winning twice!) was followed by a busy week of assorted small projects, one of which, the installation of the grommets in the laundry-zone curtain, was nearly thwarted for the lack of a tiny tool. You know you're living at the beach when not only is your internet connection a tad unreliable but there's not a serious fabric store within 100 miles.... We were pleased, however, that once again all tools were cleared from the living spaces before Tom and Jess arrived for the weekend.

On the eve of their visit, we went to a class on Indian Cooking at Kitchenique in Sandestin. This involved sitting around a counter on very hard and slippery stools for 2 hours while an Indian chef prepared Whole Bengali Fish (our first taste of Scamp--"the king of the groupers"), Curried Apples, Carrot Pilaf and a far-eastern version of funnel cakes. Wine was available for purchase during the show (thank goodness! sez S). After the food is cooked, each guest receives a modest portion of each item: too modest of a portion if you ask us! While this was an odd experience, we both agreed that it was something we will try again when the cuisine in question is alluring. We did learn a few things, found the store amazingly well stocked in some key areas (spices, for example--and bizzaro gadgetry, including a blue plastic bubble in which an egg can theoretically be microwaved until hardboiled), and were exposed to some new tastes (nigella seeds--yuk! says S).

Friday brought hourly email updates from Jess as she and Tom first got up, then went back to bed, then got up again and finally got Astro to the Hot Diggity Dog Camp. They arrived just in time for drinks, bearing gifts, including a set of original Pepper-stitched cocktail napkins embroidered with poker-table talk and a pink pumpkin full of treats. The candy, etc. was great and all, but the napkins are mind-blowingly beautiful.

E served snazzy Cucumber Martinis, and for dinner roasted up some shrimp. On Saturday morning, S delivered a breakfast pizza (now, no kidding, we've GOT to clean that oven). Actually, it might have been more like a brunch pizza by the time we got around to it--this weekend was laid back and then some.

In other words, if it wasn't Rummy-O, it didn't really happen (Jess's personal copy of the game has already shipped). Saturday night's cocktail was the historic Moscow Mule, a lovely breezy thing featuring ginger beer, and S slayed one of those gigantic squash for a hearty curried soup.



Sunday, more Rummy-O (and donuts!), and dinner out at Stinky's Fish Camp.

That evening's game unfolded to the tune of Tom's "Three Dog Night" Pandora radio station and we Rocked It Out. (Now of course, S is building us a radio station too.) Tom also spent the weekend practicing with his new (and Very Fancy) camera: most of the pix accompanying this week's posting were taken by him: richer, artier, cooler than S could ever muster. A super sweet visit: come back soon!

E has been receiving her Ten Days Of Elizabeth birthday presents, including a box of Harry & David Royal Riviera Pears, a pie-crust edge protector, Without Reservation (a book about Foxwoods), a tai chi ball, and several other items not yet delivered. The BIG DAY (E turns 65!) is this coming Thursday--and a special surprise outing is in the wings. Stay tuned.