Scary Ugly

 
I suddenly feel sad. Tomorrow is Halloween and I've already dressed up for two different Halloween events--and I'm not so sure I liked either of my costumes. I don't have another shot either this year. My mother asked me a few years ago why I always dress up "ugly." I guess I dress up using extremes or humor, because I'm not sure I can pull off anything else. And this year I don't think I even pulled off ugly. (Although my girlfriend thinks I can pull off cute). I dressed as someone from the "Remainder Nation" for our Tailgating Party at work...and as a Drag King (to Karen's Court Jester) at J&A and M&N's party. I have to say, that their party was the best decorated Halloween party I've ever been to. There was a fog machine, lots of food with holiday spirit, and many moving bats and spiders. Our house isn't decorated for the kids tomorrow, but we have a bowl filled with candy for the little people. I hope we don't get many older kids with no costumes demanding candy. That has happened in the past at my doorstep--and that scares me. Halloween is scary in many ways...

La Cabana in North Fork, CA (Near Yosemite)

A simple question--"Where should we eat tonight?" Having a local to recommmend a restaurant is often a gift. Karen and I were at the SERCAL conference at Bass Lake, and her colleague Regine (who lives up there), answered our question with "La Cabana." We drove about 10 miles on a windy road weaving through the Sierra's, and found the restaurant. The small parking lot was full, and half the building was a counter for take-away (open during the day). The restaurant was on the left side, and we entered to discover only about ten tables. It took awhile to be seated, but it was worth the wait. You can look right into the kitchen, where a few lively chefs/sous shefs are working, and see all of the pots and pans stacked up and ready to go. The waitress was extremely friendly, and after we noticed a dirty fork--she took it away and returned with a clean one and a basket of fresh chips with sea salt and a spicy homemade salsa. We were going to order the sopes or some of the other tasty items on the menu--but the specials sounded too good to pass up. I had pan seared orange roughy with olives & peppers, a mound of apple & pineapple salsa, black beans, rice, and green beans with bacon (which I didn't eat). Karen's chicken was rolled around cream cheese and spinach. Very tasty, although I only had one bite. All entrees on the menu were about $5.00, but the specials ended up being $16.00 for the orange roughy and $13 for the chicken. Well worth the upgrade. Cash and checks only.

Supper Club

So, it finally happened. Jenn, Andie, Mark, and Neil came over for our first supper club. While Andie, Karen, and Neil sat in the dining room and drank a fine bottle of 1999 Michel-Schlumberger Merlot, Jenn, Mark and I slaved away in the kitchen. Not sure how that happened, but I guess the three of us are passionate about cooking and learning to cook, and the three of them love to sit around and gab. They were VERY handy when it came to clean-up though.

We started out with a hot and sour thai soup and tofu spring rolls. Jenn and Mark made those, and I tried to pay attention but I had too much chopping and stirring of my own to do. There was plenty of food! We then had jasmine rice, and a coconut spinach rice that Jenn had made earlier in the day. We made two versions of one dish--chicken basil and then tofu basil for the non-meat eaters. We also made a very yummy tilapia & roasted eggplant red curry (see above).

We took plenty of silly pictures (Neil's "job")--probably because of all of the wine, beer, and sake. I'm afraid to see what he took, actually. I have to say, it was really wonderful to prepare a meal with a group of friends, and then sit down together to share it. Good food and great friends go very well together. Or is it great food and good friends? We want to do it again in the next few weeks. Next Supper Club: Italian.

Here's a silly picture of me and Karen. We got our hair cut today...I believe that is what is called "bangs" on me. Yipes.