October 8, 2010

  • Dinner Out Today


    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    I spent most of today feeling cold since the house, true to it's good insulation, stayed chilly for most of the day.  Weatherbug said it got all the way up to 82 but the wind was chilly so it didn't feel nearly that warm.  The Princess came over (many hours later than she had originally told the Beast) so they could go to check out this actual butcher shop in the next town north of us.  When she showed up, she had brought Bailey with her.  Had I mentioned how darn cute and adorable that little dog is?  Well, of course, she and Baron went nuts at first.  He chasing her around and her hiding in spots she knew he couldn't get into.  When he tired of this and laid down with his back to her, she would sneak out and start batting her paw at him and then run away.  It was like she was saying, *Hey!  Chase me!*  It was funny.

    Before they left for the butcher shop, they put both the dogs into the back yard to play.  By the time they left, the yard was well-shaded and the two of them raced around for a while before Bailey hid under the stairs.  Baron then laid down in the grass, panting, with his eyes on her waiting for her to move.  When he started rolling around in the grass, she scrambled back up to the top of the stairs for a big drink of water.  At that point, Baron ambled up and had a drink, too.  I had filled up the dish and when they were done it was almost all gone.  I refilled it and they drank some more then both laid down on the deck just looking around and enjoying the day.  A bit later, Baron indicated he wanted into the house so, where one went, the other follows. 

    No running around this time.  Baron plopped down while Bailey took the time to look around our house.  She was cute the way she did it.  She was curious but wasn't looking for trouble.  However, she did find a bone of Baron's that she used to try to get him to chase her by dropping it in front of him then quickly grabbing it and running away under the table.  He just ignored her for a while and finally got up but he just kind of trotted around rather than chased her.

    I was just putting them both outside again because Baron came to let me know he wanted outside when the Beast and the Princess came home.  He brought home a package of King Crab claws and some frozen hush puppies they make.  However, the butcher wasn't in.  Oh the place was open since they do have some regular groceries they carry and some of the frozen fish, chicken and a few other things they carry for when the butcher is *out*.  The daughter was there and indicated that her father kind of kept *open* hours and was there *kinda when he feels like working* but she expected him there on Friday and on Saturday.  The Beast and the Princess got a chuckle out of that.

    I was really at the size of the crab claws.  They are HUGE!  I've had king crab legs but never thought about them having actual claws.  I told the Beast he should have bought another package of them.  YUM!

    Then, I was asked if I wanted to go out to dinner at a new local (well, one town over) Japanese restaurant called Ichiban.  Yes, it's one of those that has the Japanese cooks performing at the grill/table.  They also have regular tables there that can have hibachi grilled food prepared, too.  But the Princess told us it wasn't nearly as much fun so we sat at the grill/table.

    I have to say, the food was excellent.  The show was not nearly as good as it is at Benihana's but it's still amazing.  The amount of food was almost more than I can tell you about plus the cook picked ME out (as the Mama-san closest to him) to be OVERLY generous to and he gave me a couple pieces of other people's orders.....like a couple shrimp, a few choice pieces of steaks other than my own, extra veggies and rice.  Guess what I ended up bringing home?    With the Japanese mushroom soup (which is a clear soup with a few pieces of thinly sliced mushroom in it), a salad with an incredibly tasty ginger dressing and the three appetizers the Beast ordered, I was almost full before we ever ate our entree.  But isn't that always the way?

    The Princess, Johnnycakes, the Beast and I staggered out the door to our cars.  The Princess and Johnnycakes were heading out to buy her a dress for the wedding he is standing up for tomorrow.  She said she HAS to have a nice dress since HE is going to be in a tux.  If she can't find one at the store she was heading for, she was going to leave early for Huntsville so she could be back before they had to leave.  We just headed home to Baron, who was very happy to see us since this was the longest we had left him alone.  I told you neither the Beast nor Baron is aware that Baron is a dog, didn't I? 

    When we got home, after sharing a few chunks of steak that the Beast didn't eat with Baron, I then fed Baron some of his specialty dog food and added some of the chicken we fix for him.  Then I went and took a nap.  As much as I ate, I needed the time to digest everything.  I have no intention of moving from this computer now until I go to bed in a bit.  So, let me get this posted so it's there for your Friday perusal.  I hope you have a great day and an even better weekend.  If you get weather half as good as ours, it will be enjoyable.  Love you all.