. . . To Thank You For Bein' A Friend
What better way to start the Thanksgiving Holiday than with the YaYa’s! Beth (Tucker), Milly (Sanders), Leigh (Loyd), Elizabeth (Culp) and I met up at Marco. There was an empty chair that was promptly removed and I was thankful for that. It reminded me of Sweet’s absence. (Dahlin’ we missed you!) We also had a couple of fellows along that were quite . . . . . . the delight. Husbands are such a wonderful thing and - much like babies – even more enjoyable when you can send them home with the girl they belong to. Kent Tucker & Derrick Culp, neither of whom could be labeled a “shrinking violet” by any means, are the perfect compliment to a table of YaYa’s and an evening to remember.
The girls went with La Crema but I remained faithful to my true love: the Dirty Vodka Martini. There was another decision, however, that was - for all intents and purposes – unanimous . . . Branzino! You see one of us doesn’t eat things that swim and another felt as if she needed to branch out a little (having already had the Branzino-gasm so many times). Long story short . . . when the entrées arrived . . . it looked as if the “Justin Time” (a boat that I go deep sea fishing on) was backing up to our table. So “Just In” case this showstopper has evaded you, I'll give the “dish” in exquisite detail. “Branzino del Mediterraneo al sale grosso servito con gamberi saltati, capperi . . . ladida ladidi” is more than a mouthful and “Mediterranean Branzino (striped bass) baked in rock salt served with sautéed asparagus and mashed potatoes, topped with a sauce of white wine, shrimp, and capers” just doesn’t do it justice. So I’ll tell you what I love about it.
I love things that happen at the table (like "The Rock", strip cooked & presented on a hot rock at Japonais in Chicago - I also reccomend "Le Quack"). So I cop a little thrill when I get to watch them release the fish from its rock salt encapsulation with that cute little hammer. I love, love, love a “spirited” sauce - and this one is divine. I’ve had the Branzino every time I’ve ever crossed the threshold (including the mildly scarring birthday dinner when my grandmother brought up the unfortunate subject of whether or not baby boys should be circumcized . . . ?/wince/?) and I don’t plan on branching out any time soon. If you’ve not had it, the Branzino that is, you are missing out. The other is really such a personal choice and I honestly don’t know where she comes up with these things sometimes.
I do know that she is the living, laughing, loving example of how to be "young" & happy. Thanksgiving dinner at Honey's was just as magical as it has ever been and almost every year we have a special guest or two. This year, it was our cousin James (whom we've never met). He is . . . my late grandfather Boppa's sister's grandson . . . (whew). He lives in Texas, is stationed in Valdosta and contacted my dad because he wanted to be with family. It really woke me up to how lucky I am that my family is "right down the road" - even if that, in some cases, means Charleston or Savannah.
An overstuffed Thanksgiving Toast was celebrated at Chris Abbott's a little bit later. He's the host-ess with the most-ess!
The end of my week was, as the famous trio of bears' blonde friend once put it . . . "just right." Amy Hellis is not quite family and much more than your run-of-the-mill friend. Someone you "can count on" . . . we discussed over soup and sandwiches. Like the YaYa's, I've known Amy since I was an itty bitty thing. And as my favorite turkey likes to say "Macon IS a good place to be from." That's the thing about the girls you grow up with . . . friends like that are hard to find.
I'm giving thanks to have so very many of them!
aS
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