Eleanor, a long-time (forty-five or more years) is here for a visit, her first in fifteen years, and, as always, the talk is of books and music and films. It was Eleanor who introduced us to Leonard Cohen, Jacques Brel, and Leon Russell (to name only a few) years ago and she has more recently made sure that we didn't miss out on Eddie Izzard and Tm Minchin.
Over the course of the last few days, I've been making a list of some of latest recommendations (book/film/music pusher par excellence, she is. )
Eleanor has always been incredibly hip -- my earliest memory of is from the Sixties -- she was the hit of the evening at at a cocktail party in a Mod vinyl dress and a Sassoon-type asymmetrical haircut. I have never been hip like that but somehow we became the best of friends. John and I have enjoyed many a fine meal with Eleanor-- we all love good food and, in the past, strove to amaze and tantalize one another with our cooking. (Eleanor received the F.O.C. Award --For Obscene Cookery -- from us years ago.)
So we planned a grand meal last night with Justin and Claui and nephew Drew. Eleanor purchased a glorious beef tenderloin which we wrapped in bacon, roasted, and served with Bearnaise butter, garlic mashed potatoes, and marinated green beans. There was a salad of spring greens and grape tomatoes. Wine, of course.
There was a strawberry/blueberry 'pizza' . . .
And more talk of music, then and now. The years that have gone by might never have passed. Our young people and Eleanor seemed to have been old friends in a previous incarnation. Wine and music and laughter and good food -- what a fine way to spend an evening!