Quail

Eastside Road, March 9, 2015—

I AM A SUPERSTITIOUS man, and think seriously about the consequences of mentioning my good fortune. But I do have to say, from time to time, we are truly lucky, blessed people, my beautiful companion and I. We live in a marvelous setting, we have decent health and comfort, and we have gathered around us a remarkable family — intelligent, handsome, generous, upstanding, interesting, and entertaining.

We have managed to add to our natural family — three children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and four of them now with steady companions, and three great-grandchildren. And to them we have added three foreign "children" of our own, thanks to various exchange programs which have taken hold very nicely. And in addition to them there is our Dutch family, now three generations of them, our Dutch brother and sister who took in our own daughter for a year so long ago, and their four children, and then the next generation…

And then there are the special friends who have become so close over the years, so thoughtful and caring and appreciative of whatever little help and advice and sympathy we could give over the years, that they are family now as well.

Well: today Kees flew in from Netherlands, needing a week off from his restaurant; and Curt and Mary Jo drove up from the city, because they are old friends of his; and the neighbors down the hill walked up too; and we had dinner. Curt and I started a good fire of grape cuttings and fruitwood and charcoal in the grill. Kees helped prep the artichokes and potatoes. Lindsey had made a delicious cake. Curt and Mary Jo brought up some quail and some paté and who knows what else. And before long we had

DINNER

Olives
Ricotta toasts
Shaved artichokes in shallot vinaigrette
Paté maison
Grilled quail on frisée
Roasted potatoes
Citrus almond cake

Rosé de Corbières, Domaine de Fontsainte, 2014; Cabernet sauvignon blend, Chez Panisse kitchen crew, 1993; Vino rosso, "Il Goccetto," nv; "GSM" (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre), Preston of Dry Creek, 2012; Sauternes, Château Climens, 1983

Seven of us at the table; fine conversation; an absolutely lovely evening. We are endlessly grateful to all these friends.