"Life isn't long enough to do all you could accomplish. And what a privilege even to be alive. In spite of all the pollutions and horrors, how beautiful this world is.
Supposing you only saw the stars once every year. Think what you would think. The wonder of it!"--Tasha Tudor



Monday, October 26, 2009

My Little House On The Prairie Birthday Surprise Weekend

A very excited phone call came on my birthday over the Summer from my friend Tracy who lives on the Jersey shore. She said not to make any plans over a certain weekend in September because I was 'hers.' By chance, she had just seen a postcard advertisement for the upcoming musical and that she and Kathy were taking me there for my birthday. Knowing how much I have always loved Little House on the Prairie, and that Melissa Gilbert would be playing "Ma" in the show, she knew I would love it. If you are a regular reader of this blog you may recall this post about my Little House envy. So John and Laura held down the fort (a.k.a. took care of the dogs and the house) so I could drive down on that Friday.


Kathy and Tracy


Tracy is the best cook I know.
One of my favorite things she makes is her blackened tuna with her
fresh pesto. Doesn't the breaded asparagus look just fantastic? They were.


She always makes everything look as good as it tastes. She
made the most of the last of the basil in the garden. Fresh mozzarella
salad with a touch more pesto. Mmmm.....

We also had some very delicious 20 year old port after dinner.

Our tickets were for the Saturday matinee. Kathy's friend, Dana, also came with us. She met us at the theater. She is really nice. It was so exciting to see Melissa Gilbert take the stage. The audience cheered. In our hearts she will always be Laura Ingalls, but after a few moments in character on the stage, she transformed into 'Ma.' At the curtain call when the young girl who played Laura came out with Melissa Gilbert side by side, we all got a little teary eyed.
We are such a sappy bunch. No, really, we are.
I adore little buttons so I had to buy these tiny pins after the show. And a hooded LHOP sweatshirt for my daughter. She loves it.

After the show we went to a really good Martini bar restaurant near the Paper Mill Playhouse.
These were our Martinis. Mine was a Flirtini (yum) and I had to taste Kathy's just because it was blue (I liked mine better) but I don't recall what the others were. But they must have been good because we had a few. The Martini menu was huge.



This is Tracy on the phone with my Mom at the restaurant, telling her all about the show.
Best friends do that.




Our very nice waiter took this photo of us. Toasting before dessert
with glasses of 30 year old port. I honestly don't recall ever having
port before but after all the port over that weekend,
I can tell you that I like it.
A lot.

Dana, Me, Tracy and Kathy

Everything we ordered was beautifully presented, fresh and delicious.
Like this shrimp with pea risotto....

and this delightful creme brulee....


After the perfect afternoon, we went back home and played Mexican Train Dominos (so fun) until the wee hours of the morning. And we laughed. And laughed. And laughed.
Thank you to my Tracy & Kathy for the most wonderful made-for-me weekend.

I love you both. xo xo xo -CS ^..^

P.S. The Little House On the Prairie Musical has a nice web page with a free downloadable PDF study guide if you click on 'learning center.' Great for homeschoolers, teachers or anyone who just loves pioneer days and Little House. Enjoy!

7 comments:

^..^Corgidogmama said...

Could you have squeezed in any more fun? I don't think so! What a grand time for all of you gals.
And, not a corgi in sight!

Jenna Z said...

WOW! What a fantastic birthday! That sounds like my kind of celebration!

ClassyChassy said...

So wonderful! The meals look delicious!!! Glad you had a great time! HOORAY!

Chatty Crone said...

I can't believe Melissa Gilbert plays Ma. Time has a way of getting away from us.

Sounds like a wonderful evening and the food looked yummy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Suzanne said...

What great friends! You deserve it:-)

Suzanne said...

What great friends! You deserve it:-)

Dances with Corgis said...

What a stupendous weekend! Everything just kept getting better and better :) Martinis look great.