The Wheel Of Fortune

We started two new annual traditions this year 'round Valentine's Day.

1. New pillows for everybody. I'm not sure what an appropriate shelf life for a pillow is but after 365 nights of sleeping on it (minus vacation days) and 3-4 pillow fights a year this would seem to justify getting a new full pillow. I'm not even considering a gallon of drool over this period of time.

2. The Wheel Of Fortune. On Valentine's we are dividing dinner into three categories and each category is written on a piece of paper: appetizer, main entree and dessert. Dexter and Oliver represent one team while Maria another, as well as myself. Whichever category we draw from a hat is the part of the meal we will be responsible for. The kids can choose anything they want and their parents will pay for their menu item as long as they prepare it. We were all in and genuinely excited to participate.

I have to say that salami and peanut butter is a lot better than it sounds.
Dessert was not unlike a Van Halen guitar solo; layers of excess. Warmed dark chocolate syrup on the bottom of a bowl with vanilla ice cream set over it. The ice cream held in place by two halves of a sugar cookie. Over this a puree of strawberries sweetened with agave- topped with a light cherry vanilla whipped cream, bits of chopped nuts and centered with a tiny sugar cone cradling sliced strawberries. More chocolate syrup is dripped over the stop with a dab of extra strawberry puree.
I have to say that salami and peanut butter is a lot better than it sounds.

Also, the hardest working man today might be our favorite florist on California Street right next door to the Lumiere Theater. Working alone ever since his partner of 35-50? years died in 2010, he tried having others work with him but when you're a team for that long, it's likely difficult to settle for less than what he's used to- in some ways I wonder if the effort created more work. They knew each others' space and actions so well. Gentlemen and always gracious to us and the children saving treats for the boys for when they would see us next. Artists in how they arranged their bouquets; what you select is only a draft and a template to expand and enrich. I feel a sheepish as I'm sure that we are charged less than many or most but it has always been a special place to visit, and a place where the boys have witnessed commerce with kindness, craft and care.
(actually the boys came up with a lovely fruit salad-D, and salami and cream cheese-O . Maria made a delicious hearty tomale!)