Saturday, October 17, 2009

Home Alone

Paul has been away hunting with Rosey for four days. They should be home today, and both Lucy and I are ready for them to come home. I used to enjoy this time home alone more than I do now.

In addition to hunting, Paul takes a couple motorcycle trips a year so being alone is nothing new but as I get older, I enjoy it less. When he is away on the bike I worry. He calls daily which helps but I worry. And I am on pins and needles until I hear that bike drive into the driveway when I whisper a "thank you again, God" to whomever might be listening. I have traveled some without him, too, and I don't think he enjoys being home alone any more than I do.

My plans for most of this weekend were to keep Lucy company. She is quite despondent when both Paul and Rosey are away. I am apparently no fun. At least that's what her body language tells me. I am only good for someone to sit on first thing in the morning or cuddle up to at night. In between she mopes. Ever see a bouncy, energetic Jack Russell Terrier mope? It's quite sad.


I had an unexpectedly nice day yesterday. I read about a produce wholesaler in New Bedford with a gourmet shop open to the public. On Saturdays they have cooking demonstrations and food sampling. I emailed Gisele last night asking if she was interested in going. After a 4-mile walk on the bike path in the morning in preparation for the 'sampling,' we headed out.

What a find! I'm torn between saying I wish it was closer (about an hour's drive) and saying it's a good thing it's not because I'd be there every week. Let me just say it wasn't the cheapest place I've ever shopped but that's to be expected of anything that calls itself gourmet. Gisele and I basically ate our way through prepared dishes of salads, meat entrees, pastas, chowder, cheeses, dips and dessert all made with ingredients they were selling. We must have spent nearly two hours sampling and looking through the various spices, cheeses, pastas, sauces, oils, vinegars, preserves, fruits and vegetables. Serious sensory overload for me! I wanted it all. We finally decided we better go because we were starting our third pass through some of the dishes, and I think people were beginning to stare at us.


New Bedford is a waterfront city and during the nineteenth century it was one of the most important whaling ports in the world. Like many cities it has seen better days but it's still filled with beautiful old homes built by sea captains some in various stages of restoration. After we left the gourmet shop we rode through downtown looking for a place to have a quiet drink. We were lucky enough to find Cork Wine and Tapas Bar. Set in a restored granite building overlooking New Bedford's harbor, the cute and friendly young bartender told us it was built in 1837 supposedly for $1727. What a neat little place. The menu was interesting enough that I think I will take Paul back for dinner sometime soon.

I was pleased to see Caipirinha on their specialty drink menu and Gisele and I each ordered one. Caipirinha is a drink of fresh limes muddled with sugar added to cachaca, a liquor made from fermented sugar cane produced mostly in Brazil. It's a drink I discovered in Mexico several years ago and don't often see locally. It's also an ass-kicker as cachaca is generally between 38% and 80% alcohol by volume. But it's so good!

This morning I woke to a dark and dreary rainy day. A good day to stay in and catch up on a few things. Hope you are having a great weekend!

17 comments:

~T~ said...

Your blog looks awesome!
Visiting from SITS. Have a blessed day.
www.tuesdaysattonyas.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I just had my first Caipraihaina recently (I was reading a book where the protagonist was drinking one, so I was curious) and enjoyed it. It was very strong and very yummy!

Sahildeki Ev said...

Lucy definitely looks like needing some fun :)) she is so cute. Jack Russells are one of my favorite

SparkleFarkel said...

Poor, little Lucy. Maybe chomping a few of THESE while taking in THIS will help keep her mind off her woes. Best wishes, Lucy!

MsTypo said...

Caipirinhas are oen of Hubby's favourite drinks. He tries to always have a bottle on hand so he can make them at home.

I've always wondered how those gourmet shops make money when everyone always goes in there just to sample the goodies! LOL

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Your dogs are so precious. Glad you got out of the house for awhile, sounds like and awesome time and oh that drink sounds so delicious. I want one of those!

mommakin said...

Oh, look at that little sweetie, all wrapped up...

I have been informed in no uncertain terms that home is more fun when I'm not there. Nice.

Sounds like you really made the most of it, though! Fun weekend!

Pam said...

I still enjoy my alone time, though if it goes on for too many days, I get a little bored. Your trip to New Bedford sounds like fun. And poor Lucy. She really does look like she's having a pity party in that picture. Maybe next time Dad and Rosey go away Pearl can come over for a play date. THAT would surely cheer her up. OK, maybe not...

Unknown said...

Hi, Stopping by from sits....Your doggie is too cute. I also love to have time alone. As I get older I also like it less.....it might be because I think I need children to fill my time alone....Hope you have a wonderful day!

Brittany said...

That sounds like a perfect Saturday!
I need to try that drink. It sounds delish!

Love that sleepy fur-baby, too. :)

Dame Nuisance said...

I adore Caipirinhas! A friend of ours introduced us to them and they are fabulous. Haven't had one in a while - it's hard to find the cachaca here, which I'm sure is no surprise.

Just stopping by from SITS to say hello!

Badass Geek said...

My parents dog mopes around when they are gone for a couple days and she stays at my house. It's funny to see, because sometimes I think she forgets that she's supposed to be sad, when her toys come out.

Mama-Face said...

OH, I would have been a crazy woman at the 'gourmet shop'...I don't get gourmet much. Ha. I probably don't even know what it is. Sounds like a perfectly lovely day though!

LadyFi said...

Sounds like a great day of sampling food. Hope you wore trousers with an expandable waist!

As for that poor moping dog... too funny!

A Fist Full of Dandelions said...

I always worry when my hubby is hunting too.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

/'fter a 4-mile walk on the bike path in the morning in preparation for the 'sampling,' we headed out.'

I see that you prepare for eating and drinking like I do. Prefer to look at it that way rather than as wiping out all my sweaty work.

Unknown said...

I do enjoy a little time alone, but now that our kids don't live at home anymore and it is just the hubby and I, I prefer to be with him. He just had a motorcycle accident (12 weeks ago) and is recovering, but I know your fear and thanks for when he comes home safely.

 

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