7.01.2011

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!

14 comments:

Stephen Sehi-Smith said...

Can't wait for tomorrow night! Smoke, smoke, away with you.

meowmeowmans said...

We sure hope the opening goes off as planned. We sure the production of La Boheme will be fabulous, and that feast sounds like it'll be just amazing! :)

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Oh I want that fire and smoke to stay away from you so that the furries don't get scared,
love
tweedles

Stella said...

Let me sing a few choruses of "Just too Yummy for Words". You can come and cook for us anytime!

Cheers,
Jo, Stella and Zkhat who would love
the shrimp tails!

24 Paws of Love said...

Hope you have a wonderful attendance and that everything goes well. Enjoy!

Teddy Bear said...

We hope the opera was fantastic. What a delicious feast you'll have tomorrow. We'll be there in spirit.:)

Love,
Teddy Bear & Sierra

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We hope all your plans work out perfectly so that all can have a wonderful day and evening.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

The Daily Pip said...

We are thinking about you and hope everything goes smoothly. I am still doing my yorkie rain dance and now I have added a few steps to my routine to make smoke and fire go away!

Your pal, Pip

Brian's Home Blog said...

Except for that evil fire, it all sounds like a wonderful time!

Hansel said...

Hello friends! We hope you enjoy your lovely evening! those at home, and those at the opera! :) Sounds lovely!!

Jacqueline said...

Sue, we hope you and Steve will enjoy a wonderful night at the Opera; of course, you guys have prepared a lovely, festive meal for everyone to make the evening even more enjoyable...We hope those wild fires get under control soon...Have a fun holiday weekend, precious friends...xoxo...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki

Chloe and Cecil said...

Stopping by, and so glad I did! I love your blog and the food sounds Delicious!

Hope you have a wonderful time at the Opera. Santa Fe is one of my favorite places and we try to get there once a year.

Prints the Cat said...

I hope La Boheme didn't have any hiccups because of the smoke!

Kari in Alaska said...

ooo I hope you enjoyed the Opera!

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com