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Little Mr. Ricardo arrived yesterday morning at 9:13.

He and I have something in common. Both of us were supposed to make our initial entry into this world on March 19. Both of us were late. He is a bit more punctual and I arrive in just three days after his scheduled arrival. I didn't emerge until 1 April. (Always a dramatic entry. Makes them remember you. The day I was born was also Good Friday.)

I've known this little man's mother for a long time. I've taken care of her since she was, umm, a fetus. His delivery with so much less traumatic than hers, but then she tried backing into this world, and I was faced with "cutting along the dotted line".

All silliness aside, this was a superlative experience to have been a part of. Ricardo's mother went to a very spiritual place, turning deep inside to find a peaceful strength to usher him into this world. I was honored to have been there, twice so to have had her confidence to attend to her at this vulnerable moment, thrice so to have the privilege of seeing life coming full circle into another life. These second-generation deliveries are milestones for me. This one felt truly sacred.

I was home by 12:30 and set about getting dinner ready. I had already done much of the prep work on Saturday. Sunday was more about assembly, with dessert being the major exception. As I had mentioned previously Mark ([livejournal.com profile] mark_monroe)and his partner Gene ([livejournal.com profile] velcrorodeo) are vacationing this week in San Francisco from their home in Denver. They were coming last night for dinner with their friends Peter and Ernesto. Gene and Peter grew up together back in Colorado. Patrick ([livejournal.com profile] healerpatrick) who lives here locally and assumed to be renting our granny unit was also coming over. He in fact joining me to help get things ready.

Mark has more than once commented on some of my previous food posts, and frankly I want a meal for him, as well of us our other guests that would impress. The final menu went as follows.

  • Hors d'oeuvres - Zacusca (Romania) on crackers (there were no plantains at the market) & phyllo pockets stuffed with suasage and zacusca

  • 1st course - Insalata Caprese (Italy) tomato, basil, and mozzarella drizzled with lemon balsamic and lemon olive oil

  • 2nd course - Melon e Prosciutto (Italy) found a lovely tuscan canteloupe and paired it with strips of black forrest ham garnished with blood orange

  • 3rd course - Avgolemono (Greece) egg, lemon & chicken soup

  • 4th course - Spanikopita (Greece) with Mamaliga (Romania). My mamliga had fresh ground rosemary, white pepper, and Pecorino Romano, and was browned in rosemary olive oil.

  • 5th course - Dessert! I made two. Apple Strudel with fuji apples, giant raisins, and plum wine, & bread pudding made from apple croissants.


The meal was wonderful, not so much because of the food, but the company! The conversation over food and wine went on for hours. It makes me sad that these four men are so far away. It was just so much fun just to hang out.

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