Mellie and TT cook dinner in my kitchen.
When my godmother and uncle, Melanie and Terry, came to visit they treated me like a princess. Terry said to me in the morning, “You want me to caulk your bathtub?” Um, hell yes and thank you. All I had to do was go to the hardware store and buy a caulk gun, which triggered an avalanche of inappropriate jokes by yours truly. While Terry tended to my 80-year old tub, Mellie graced my garden with her greenest of thumbs, deadheading flowers, pulling weeds, repotting plants and spreading her fairy dust on every living thing. This is how they chose to spend their vacation, spoiling me.
Later that afternoon, during an errand at the Fairfax Farmers Market, Terry spotted the aged prime New York steaks in the meat case at Marconda’s. His eyes widened, and in an instant our plan the for evening changed. When we got home, they poured me a cocktail, shuffled me out of the kitchen, and cooked me dinner, turning the whole “Mi casa es su casa” thing on it’s head.
Terry knows his way around a cast iron skillet and a slab of beef. The steaks were gorgeous, well-rested, perfectly pink in the middle and bathed in rosemary-infused butter (melt butter, add whole sprigs of rosemary, cook briefly, then steep until ready to serve). They were accompanied by a mound of sautéed mushrooms and one of Mellie’s famous salads, the standard by which all salads in my life are measured. She is the reason I eat so many salads and why I always make my own dressing. Thank you Mellie and TT! I love you! Visit any time!
I know just what you mean. A few weeks back my daughter and I were in the bay area and called my cousin Mel and Terry and asked to drop by. They quickly invited us for dinner. Mel said it will be a simple salad. Oh My ! It was the best salad I have ever tasted. My mouth still waters thinking about it. Piece by piece she added all the ingredients made fresh including. grilled chicken, fresh cooked string beans, roasted beets and a dressing to die for. Some people just have a way of making you feel so special and generously giving so much love. It is their gift to us all……..
[...] (not pictured), my little garden is a cheerful outdoor living space even at midnight. Thank you Auntie Mel for my first set, and thank you Home Depot for my latest additions at such a great price. [...]