Grandson Nathaniel wanted to cook a special meal for us. In joking about it, he said he wanted to give us a fine dining experience. I’ll let you be the judge of his success. He and John picked out the beef roast, which he began preparing the day before he cooked it. We had no deadline for the dinner, but he was working that afternoon and knew he had to have food on the table by 1. He did it easily, with no wringing of hands or histrionics. I gave him 1,000 points for that. He posed for me as he began carving the meat.
John came when called, wearing a jacket and tie! I ran to change my Tee for a top and added earrings. You can’t see that we still had on jeans. Nathaniel lit the candles just after he poured water for John. Looking at the photo, you can see the slices of beef on the plate – perfection pink! He knew we prefer rare meat.
The menu:
Stuffed cucumber rounds (cukes from neighbor Marla)
Rare roast beef with gravy
Yorkshire pudding
Glazed carrots
German roast coffee
The behind-the-scene picture shows our chef preparing the Yorkshire pudding.
What does not show is all the work Nathaniel did to set a perfect table. He took apart the candelabra before polishing it. He polished the silver flatware, trivet, and coffeepot. I wish I had a before and after picture of the coffeepot. It was a wedding gift (54 years ago) and had never been used. I can say that freely, because the giver has been dead for years. John helped him find a tablecloth and make the table smaller. He would have used cloth napkins if I had found them.
Having just seen a video on etiquette the day before, we passed dishes from left to right, did not slouch, and did not put our elbows on the table. I made the egregious error of looking at my phone, thinking it was David letting me know he was on break at work. It was neighbor Joyce. Being proud of our grandson, I compounded my error and snapped a picture with my phone to send to her. Go ahead. Heap shame on my head. I deserve it.
Ignoring my bad manners, I’ll say we ate leisurely, enjoying the food and the conversation. There was only one moment of twitching when the men’s feet tangled under the table. Smiles in place, they controlled themselves as we finished the meal with piping hot coffee.
Would you care to judge the success of our fine dining experience? I won’t give you a Christmas present, but I’ll still speak to you if you say we failed.
What a wonderful meal. Did he clean up too? I think he is a keeper.
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He would have cleaned up, but he went to work as soon as we got up from the table.
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Well it was a great meal any way.
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Nathaniel put away all the dishes from the dishwasher this morning, most being what we used yesterday.
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I could use someone like him sround here. Good for you.
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He is a very willing volunteer. I wish I had been that agreeable when I was young.
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I’m particularly impressed that everything was timed so well. That Yorkshire pudding bakes at a very different temperature, doesn’t it?
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I didn’t ask, but I suspect he baked the Yorkshire pudding while the meat was resting.
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Well Anne, I say recruit this young man to prepare the Thanksgiving dinner – he will be living nearby and able to come in the night before. You know John will go fetch him at school. The Thanksgiving feast is not a chore or obligation for Nathaniel, it is nirvana for him and to all who get to enjoy the food, the perfectly set table and put on their best bib and tucker to receive the food that Nathaniel has lovingly prepared.
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Thanks for your excellent plan. I haven’t begun thinking of November yet.
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I know Anne … too many months from now, but I think Nathaniel would be excited and honored to do it … he’ll be planning his menu now . 🙂
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Very nice.
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I think it was successful- I hope for a slice of Christmas cake. Was the Yorkshire pudding dessert?
Noticed the cucumber rounds and the pink beef roast slices. Kudos to Nathaniel from afar- his work is the work of an artist. I missed seeing you in your top and earrings though with jeans still.
The pink table cloth is a beauty. What a day of outing for the 54 year old tea pot.
I wil always pass dishes from left to right if someone asks me.
Susie
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Nathaniel took a photo of us at the table, but he hasn’t had a chance to send it to me yet.
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Sorry, I forgot to comment on the Yorkshire pudding. It is really bread that is served with meat. I have no idea why it is called pudding.
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Stuffed cucumber rounds are new to me and the met may have been a little rare for me but this is my perfect meal IF,the Yorkshire pud is served with the meal and neither before not after. He did a wonderful job of bringing you the fine dining experience.Well done him.
xxx Ginormous Hugs xxx
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The Yorkshire pudding was served with the meat. Grandson David heated his meat after he came home from work, and it was no longer pink, the way he likes it. You and he could have dined together.
xxx Yorkshire Hugs xxx
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Wow, what a fine spread Anne. Nathaniel is truly gifted.
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He loves to cook for people.
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Nathaniel has skillz. What a wonderful meal, served at a beautiful table. I haven’t eaten like that in years. It all looks delicious and perfect.
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It’s wonderful to use fine things, yet be relaxed. Maybe we’ll use the prettier things until Nathaniel goes to school.
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Wow! What an awesome meal!!!
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I can’t remember that anyone was proud of my accomplishments when I was 18 years old. I didn’t have any!
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That is so awesome he found his passion so young in life. He’s lucky to have you around to be proud of him/)
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WOW! Nathaniel sure is spoiling you both and you both deserve it! Truly you are the most generous and hospitable couple I know. The table and menu looks luscious😋 By the way…..can we borrow him?????
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Nathaniel is very willing to be loaned out, but miles get in the way.
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It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we see Nate on Food Network one day. Love that boy – and y’all, too! 💙😇💚
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Love you right back! We’ll let the world know if Nate is ever on TV.
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What a great guy.
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wow! That is a special event – sounds perfect to me. I remain impressed with Nathaniel!
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I would say you did great on your end of this dinner. That food looks amazing. What did he use for stuffing the cucumbers? They looks wonderful also.
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The cucumber stuffing had cream cheese, lemon, and dill. There were probably other things, as well, but that’s mostly what I tasted.
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that sounds amazing. I have had cucumber sandwiches that involved cream cheese, dill and a packet of dried Italian seasoning. they were delicious.
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That sounds good, too.
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The meal looks delicious…the meat cooked to perfection. The stuffed cucumbers are beautiful in appearance. I wish I could have tasted one…I love the flavor, texture, color…in short I love cucumbers.
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I’m not terribly fond of cucumbers, but Nathaniel’s were delicious.
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Sounds wonderful!
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What an amazing treat! Looks like he did a fantastic job. The cucumbers sound wonderful, too!
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We never stand in Nathaniel’s way when he says he is ready to cook.
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How thoughtful!!
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Well,if he will ever want to stop by in Ireland he has a place to stay and cook😉
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I will tell him. He will be delighted. So far he has only been to Denmark, Norway, and Germany.
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Then here you go,he has his next european stop😉
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Your fabulous meal and table setting reminds me of Downton Abbey! Everything done to perfection. Your grandson is definitely a keeper.
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We tried to make our manners match those of Downton Abbey. Oh well, we’ll try again.
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What an unbelievable kid!!! I know no other who would do all that!!
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Nathaniel made a double batch of Brownies, one that went to the restaurant and one for us.
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Oh thanks. Like I wasn’t drooling enough. 😂😂😂
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Sorry!
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Uh-huh. 😁
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I laughed. You heard my insincerity, didn’t you?
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Absolutely! 😁
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