Before we could get to various celebrations, I greeted David '81, Lorrie and Annie '15 Cardinal as they visited Princeton Preview.
A few days later, Suzanne and I went to dinner for our anniversary
It was Passover once again (and Sarah's birthday) and so the table was set
and in the kitchen preparation was ongoing
with matzah
and matzah ball soup
plates for fish
and wine all set to go
as Suzanne and Ben waited to see who would be first
when Rory and Lindsay arrived
followed by baby August
and Peter and Jeff
and Josh (somehow Rene and Seva did not get registered in)
and the Eisgruber-Martins
which led to comparison tests to see if Ben had yet caught up to my height. it's a close call but each of us is sure that he is taller.
The seder began in earnest
and progressed to the point where the meal was served starting with gefilte fish
or not depending upon one's dietary persuasion
and then on to matzah ball soup
again depending on dietary persuasions
and asparagus
and chicken
which went back to the kitchen with the kugel
and the kugel came forth
as the brisket was ready
and this was my plate
and the magical seder plate with the exploding egg.
Before we knew it, many desserts were served starting with brownies
and on to strawberries
and banana cake
with whipped cream
and creme anglaise for the strawberries.
The seders being over, it was time for Ben and I to take a college bound road trip but first I had to record the neighbor's magnolias in bloom since they were in Scotland where they couldn't see them.
Next stop was in new Haven where we parked on Wooster Street
and headed to Pepe's
where this was the line
and the restaurant across the street
but we stayed until we could get a clear view of the sign
and the entry door
so that we could record the massive oven
and menu
from which we ordered something that was in the oven somewhere
as my beer came
and then the pizza and then we headed off to Berlin for the night.
Next morning began with breakfast at the hotel for Ben
and me
and then after touring Wesleyan we stopped in Lenox at Otto's
where these were our sandwiches with flash
and without -- Reuben with corned beef for Ben and bean burger for me.
After visiting Williams, we drove on to Thetford, Vermont where Michael and Judy greeted us
and served appetizers
before the pasta
and vegetables with pesto were served
and the pan left
so that my plate could begin to assemble
with salad added
to make my complete plate
which I could bring to the table
and begin to eat
as Ben
and I
observed the pasta
that Michael had made.
Next morning, we bade farewell to Judy
got gas
and went to Lou's
where this was the menu
and these were the meals -- mine with home fries, Ben's with baked beans -- that fueled us for the day
not to mention Lou's famous coffee
before we bade farewell to Michael and headed to Dartmouth and Amherst
and then the long drive home with a stop at Frank's in Pompton Lakes, NJ where this was Ben's pasta
and my pizza, voted best in the town.
