blue artichoke

Unlike the movie The Ice Storm, we don't go to "key parties" or cheat on each other or drink to distract ourselves from our unhappy lives. No, we're a happy family and we live on the couch. Our own ice storm started yesterday afternoon. Caught unawares, I was at the mall, eating Sbarro and buying hot rollers with Christmas gift cards. I kept hearing people talk about the weather, how schools were letting out early in anticipation of ice and snow, and how Kansas City had already taken a beating and, look out!, it's heading our way! I'm not one to get overly concerned or worried about weather forecasts. Meteorologists are often wrong and I suspect they blow things out of proportion, just to keep themselves amused and to trick their bosses into thinking they are vital members of the weather team. Anyway, I paid little heed. But when I got out to my car and found it under a thin layer of ice already, I started to believe all the nervous nellies. I finished my errands and came home just before the sleet began. GC's boss closed down the office early, and the streets were iced over by about 4pm. We got more ice and snow last night, so GC, Larry and I have been a happy family, living on the couches. We watched movies (The Libertine and Idlewild); I tried out my new hot rollers, then curled up under a blanket and read back issues of cooking magazines while GC played video games. Cozy.

I'm perfectly contented to stay inside all day, but GC started getting cabin fever in the late afternoon, so we went out to dinner at a nearby Japanese restaurant. I had read about their honey duck breast, so that's what I ordered. GC had a chef's choice sushi plate. This is a really trendy restaurant; we've been several times before. I don't like it very much, because it is pretentious and designed to make you uncomfortable. Some people like that, I suppose. I did enjoy my dinner very much, but the atmosphere is enough to make me not want to return. There are other Japanese restaurants with food just as good but more enjoyable environments. Those are the places for me.

Anyway, we're back home now, after our dinner, back in our pjs and happily living on the couch. The only thing that would make this better is some warm brownies, hot from the oven. Think I'll make some now.

Getting to Know All About You: What's your favorite food ethnicity?