My first for today was delightful. I had planned on another first but discovered, late in the day, that the event had cancelled. I’ve learned not to fret over such situations. They’ve been a common occurrence this year and always, another first shows up and it is the perfect experience. Within 30 minutes, the first presented itself. Greg texted and suggested picking up dinner at Billy Sims, and dining in the garden. I loved the idea!
We’ve experienced unseasonably cool temperatures the past few days. After a day of steady rain yesterday, the weather shifted today to overcast but dry. The temps remained mild. It was an ideal evening for dining outside and my first time to get to use the bistro table and chairs for the purpose for which they were made.
It was a great dinner. A green plaid tablecloth covered the glass top and a single white candle with a green and yellow candle ring adorned the table. Smoked turkey from Billy Sims, with sides, transferred to square white plates, cloth napkins, and real forks rather than the plastic ware provided by the restaurant completed the setting. The view couldn’t be beat! After their soaking yesterday, the flowers and plants were fresh and practically growing before our eyes. The fresh cedar mulch scented the air along with various herbs and flowers. Lit tea lights filled the candleholders hanging on the wire partitions defining the meditation area.
We had entertainment during dinner. The cats love the garden. They played at our feet and romped through the Japanese garden. They especially enjoy the ornamental grasses, which have grown tall. I think they pretend to be jungle cats, hiding in the grasses, and take delight in pouncing on each other.
As we finished our meal, the bell rang at the Peace Gate, announcing visitors! What fun to welcome daughters Elissa and Adriel, grandson Dayan, and Elissa’s boyfriend, Josh, to the backyard. They pulled up chairs and we enjoyed chatting, laughing and watching the cats play.
I can’t think of a better way to end the day…good food, great company, peaceful setting. I hope that was the first of many al fresco meals in the beautiful surroundings of the garden. Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, who authored many essays about food, wrote about dining outdoors, “Seating themselves on the greensward, they eat while the corks fly and there is talk, laughter and merriment, and perfect freedom, for the universe is their drawing room and the sun their lamp. Besides, they have appetite, Nature’s special gift, which lends to such a meal a vivacity unknown indoors, however beautiful the surroundings.” I agree wholeheartedly. And I loved having the universe as my dining room tonight!
