They, and their friend, Jen, who is visiting this week, invited us up for dinner yesterday. It was so cool! We all drove (to carry all the picnic gear) a few minutes from their house to a gorgeous little peninsula on the lake, elevated a little, and surrounded on three sides by water.
There, they set up a little table and chairs, then laid out an international spread of cheeses, breads, dips, and fruit that they'd bought at a farmer's market earlier that day. I hope the Donner Party ghosts weren't watching. It was such fun, delicious food! Indian, Asian, European and Mexican flavors.
We were almost competing to discover the best combination of two or more ingredients per bite (handy tip: the cracker bread, topped with the Idiazabal cheese and hot/sweet fennel/pepper jelly--oh, my! But there were other winners, as well). For dessert, I'd brought up some lemon squares. A simple thing. But so entertaining when dangled in front of Meg (think catnip in front of a cat). We discovered last month, that lemon dessert of any sort will transform this, otherwise, quite laid-back, mature, and accomplished young woman, into a wild-eyed, quivering mass of protoplasm. Perhaps a secret best kept amongst us girls...The only real fly in the soup, was that the smoky air from all the fires on our side of the mountain, finally reached the other side, and so the normally crisp and pristine colors were a bit muted. Not to worry. It was a wonderful meal in a magical place with fun people. Rachel and Meg have invested in a rubber raft and plan to get a couple of kayaks, soon. So many ways to enjoy Donner country!
In about a month, Rachel will begin working for the company Megan works for. It's a software firm that sells systems for human resources departments of all kinds. The employees can work from anywhere they can get good internet service, so it's perfect for those, like them, who like to work from home or anywhere they happen to be visiting. They spend a good deal of time in SF, for example.
So, Donner Party, eat your...no, forget it. Really.
