July 1, 2011

White Dog and the rest of the White Dog Army sat with me on the deck as I peeled shrimp for tomorrow evening's tailgate party. They were hopeful that I would share (especially the tails) and were worried at the same time.

Tomorrow is the opening of opera season and Santa Fe is only a scant 35 miles from Los Alamos where the wildfire is raging. I called to reassure all and was told that as of that moment the production, La Boheme, was still scheduled but that we should check in the afternoon on Saturday to make sure that smoke was not an issue. Our Opera House, one of the most striking in the world, is open air so a heavy curtain of smoke would cause problems for the singers as well as the audience.

With a positive attitude and certainty in our hearts, WD, Quinn, Nuka, Puff, and YoYoMa were helping me to make preparations for a picnic feast. Although they do not get to attend (silly SFO rules), a special opera meal is prepared for all of the White Dogs and Michael. We leave them with the opera du jour playing.

The shrimp, soon to be tailless and without shells, will be served chilled with an avocado tomatillo garlic salsa. There will be plump cherry tomatoes filled with goat cheese and basil. Quinn, WD and YoYo all LOVE goat cheese! Tiny golden potatoes are baking and will be stuffed with spicy carne adovada (tiny bits of the pork and potato for the WDA, not red chiles). Transparent rice paper rolls filled with Asian vegetables and peanut sauce have already been assembled.(None of the White Dogs like bean sprouts)!

Puff and Nuka have specially requested chicken chopped with almonds, green olives and pimento dolloped on top of french bread slices smeared with thick peasant yogurt. YoYo perked up at the mere mention of yogurt. Steve will have plenty of supervisors tonight as he prepares the chicken! Cheese tarts from our wonderful french bakery and raspberries provide the final duet.

The prep work is peaceful domestic sharing time for me and my five furry bosses. Opera nights are long for the pups as we generally leave mid afternoon and do not return until nearly 1am. Tomorrow we will try to spend the morning and early afternoon focusing on doing things the WDA enjoys (and which will tire them out). We know no matter what time we creep in, that five expectant faces will look at us joyfully, welcoming us home, asking about the performance...and if there are any treats left!