A Meal to be Grateful for

 

 

So, in two days, I’ll have a book in bookstores.

 

It’s a pretty surreal feeling.

 

I’ve been going through a lot of surreal moments lately. This past week was the first week of school in my district — and the first time in ten years that I wasn’t there as a teacher. Having orientations at the community college where I’m teaching is pretty surreal, too. I never really thought I’d be teaching composition again.

 

But, for every surreal moment, there’s been a beautiful one. Over the last week, I think the best was last Sunday night, when Matt, Max, and I headed down to Farmers Fishers Bakers (http://www.farmersfishersbakers.com/) in Georgetown (DC).  I spent the majority of that dinner just sitting there grinning like an idiot. And sure, most of that was because we were out to dinner as a family (Max’s food allergies often prevent us from going out to traditional restaurants.)

 

 

But part of it was something I’ve tried to verbalize here a lot lately. I was grinning because I was happy. I could kick myself for wasting the last few years being miserable if I’d known how happy I could really be. Choosing to live the life I want to live was a big leap for me, but it changed everything in terms of how I approach my day and the things that normally would stress me out.

 

So, the night before what would have been my first day back at school, we had an amazing meal in Downtown DC and walked the streets, taking our time and savoring this beautiful life. And, of course, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t show off the meal.

 

Homemade Vanilla Bean Soda

 

Matt’s Mint Julep

 

I don’t drink alcohol very often. I used to really enjoy wine, but as I’ve gotten older, alcohol just makes me sleepy. Doesn’t matter what kind. So I opted for the homemade Vanilla Bean Soda, which Max got as well, made with housemade “scratch” syrups. Like it’s sister restuarant, Founding Farmers, Farmers Fishers Bakers has a Soda Fountain style menu, offering things like egg creams or fizzes. Matt opted for a beautiful Mint Julep. I’m such a sucker for crushed ice.

 

Homemade Pretzel Stick Appetizer with Pimento Cheese, Onion Dip, and Honey Mustard BBQ

 

Max was REALLY happy about the pretzels

 

Kettle Corn with Beer Nuts and Candied Bacon — better than you can imagine!

 

   The appetizers were selected with Max in mind, since a lot of them had dairy and we wanted him to be as excited about our choices as he usually is about Founding Farmers Bacon Lollis. We chose right — the pretzels were crusty and, for lack of a better word, pretzel-y, with a hint of homemade bread yeastiness. The popcorn wasn’t sticky or greasy, the way you might expect because of the bacon. The beer nuts (which are peanuts, for the record) were a little spicy and my favorite part of the popcorn dish.

 

 

My weakness — a good spicy tuna roll

 

My Mussels with Garlic and Wine Sauce

 

Matt’s Entree – Fried Chicken with Peas and Grits

 

Max just got fresh cut fries for dinner, so I didn’t take a picture of those. But the other entrees are above. I LOVE Spicy Tuna Rolls — they’re definitely my “go-to” sushi roll, so I had to try it here. It didn’t disappoint. The mussels were good, but not overly amazing — just what you could get anywhere. There was an option of many sauces, but my server (who was lovely) suggested the garlic and wine, which is probably the more typical choice than Thai or Coconut Curry or Beer Butter. I really wish I’d chosen the Beer Butter…

 

Matt’s chicken was excellent as well, which didn’t surprise us — Founding Farmer’s does a Spatchcock chicken dish that is TO DIE FOR.

 

And, of course, dessert!

 

Another great part of the meal was getting Max dessert, something we NEVER get to do. At normal restaurants, if they have anything for him, it’s usually sorbet — but it’s full of artificial ingredients that he can’t have. Here, there was homemade all natural strawberry lemonade sorbet — and as you can see about, Max loved it.

 

This night, this meal — all of it was memorable for many reasons. I can’t tell you how valuable it is to have a night out with my boys where we can order food for Max right off the menu. It’s such a special treat for Max that he’s always so grateful and a little in awe of what he can actually have there. Rather than making me bitter tha there aren’t more opportunities for us to eat out, it just makes me appreciate it all the more.