Gift for my wife
I posted this on Myspace a short time back, but never on here. Now that I'm posting on here more: thought it'd be fun to share with all yall!
The Surprise Gift
There was a boy and a girl years back that used to date. They enjoyed each others company and often frequented various restaurants dining on nearly every cuisine imaginable. One such eatery they used to frequent on special occasions was to enjoy a very delicious peasant salad and even more amazing chicken cordon bleu.
This dish was so tasty that even the boy who craved steak abandoned his bovine delights for this poultry extravaganza of taste. However sadly for one reason or another, the eatery was closing its doors, and with days left in its life the two, now married, again went to have one of their favorite meals. However to their dismay the chef had already left and the menu had been slashed cutting out their chicken cordon bleu among other things leaving very little behind, and over the next several years, on many occasions, their misfortune was remembered and mouths would water for just one more taste.
Searching the internet they could not find a recipe that seemed to fit the bill. Though never trying them it was always cheese and ham stuffed in a chicken breast. This was then to be breaded and deep fried, and there was certainly no breading or frying involved in the dish that brought them back to that same eatery years ago. Even those frozen precooked bricks were tried, but alas no joy was wrought by such effort.
All seemed lost till one day there was a chance meeting at the boy’s ten-year high school reunion. The boy had found from one of the organizers of the event that the caterer was a former chef of the eatery once frequented by the two. His heart leapt with joy and though he passed on the news to the girl he kept his true hopes secret. At the reunion it was confirmed that this was the very man whose recipe was used for the now lost poultry delight, and discussion was had by this boy and his lady with the chef about how they longed to once again have his famed dish. However the boy did not push his hopes forward in front of his love as still there remained the seed of an idea, which was kept hidden from her.
It was about two months after the reunion after scouring the internet, for a way to contact the chef, that he got the brilliant idea to get in touch with those who organized the event. Upon getting the chef’s e-mail address he worked on how to word such a request. Firing off his e-mail asking if he could come and fix the dish for their anniversary about 7months away, or if he, in his wildest dreams, get the recipe and fix the dish. Much to his surprise the chef offered to come and teach the boy how to prepare the dish. They talked about pricing and the boy was only happy to agree to the chef’s first request as the seed of an idea had taken root and began to grow.
Through the holidays the chef was very busy and had asked the boy to call him in about a month and a half once the new year had come and things were slower. Once the new year came they spoke a few times about scheduling the lesson. This was made very easy as the boy’s love worked during the mornings, and even nearly every Saturday as it was now the infamous “tax season”.
It was on a somewhat chilly Saturday that the chef came and trained the boy in preparation, cooking, and other finer points of not only that dish, but many other methods and possibilities.
While the lesson was being given the girl happened to call the boy on her way to pick up lunch for the office. She was reluctant to tell him at first, but with some round questioning he deduced that it was Elsa’s she was picking up. Acting slightly put out, as it was Elsa’s he had been craving for sometime, the boy complained about how she was eating such tasty stuff and he was stuck with reheated leftovers and Cici's Pizza. Both a far cry from the food she was about to eat. Smile to the chef let him know that it was all in jest, to which they both laughed, as the secret remained hidden from her as the boy continued to give an oscar worthy performance as it was the very dish they both craved he was about to sample once more.
The lesson had gone so well and now there was a vast array of food that had to disappear. Quickly the boy contacted his brother and invited both he and his wife to come over and sample some of the “TON” of marvelous food that was prepared. Once they arrived the secret was explained and it was agreed that the Cordon Bleu was AMAZING. Having sent them home with multiple containers packed with food and still with all having eaten their fill, the boy set quickly to cleaning the mountain of dirty dishes. Having the dishes done he then set to hide the remaining unused items from the lesson, like cheeses, jars of various ingredients, oils, and boxes of flour. Those items which did not need to be refrigerated were secreted away to a dark corner of the basement, and those that did were hidden in the unused fridge in the garage. Still with the garage used every night by his lady love the boy resolved to turn the fridge down when he left for work and then up again upon his return so as it’s running may not call her attention and spoil the surprise now being cooked up in his mind.
The seed of an idea had now grown into a full towering oak and again consumed the boy as he played one scenario after another through his head. Most of them started off the same where she would get ready away from the house and once dressed either return home or be picked up by the boy. However from there many possibilities emerged. One of the first ideas was to have the actual chef come and cook the meal then surprise her with the fact that the boy now knew how to prepare it, but it lacked flexibility, and was soon tossed. Another had his love being picked up in a nice automobile and chauffeured home for the big reveal, but this lacked a certain personal touch. Still another had the boy in a Cosby Showish manner playing parts of the Host, Waiter, Chef, and himself in an act to add humor to the scene. He even working up some short quips and lines playing each character off another in effort to make her laugh and smile that smile that could melt the ice atop Everest, but comedy was not the mood he desired to portray. Finally he resolved his plan and began making his final preparations.
The Monday following his lesson the boy made his first attempt at preparing the dish and though it had minor flaws, like the rice being a little tough and the sauce needed just a bit more oomph to get the flavor. A quick call to his new chef friend had resolved those issues, and the boy was now confident in his ability to prepare the dish. However at this point the boy had already told his daughters, brother, sister-in-law, parents, aunts, uncles, and any co-worker that would stop long enough to listen about his plans for their anniversary which was still more than a month away!
The secret was getting big and it had consumed the boy to the point that doubt began to creep into his mind. What if she doesn’t like it? What if I screw up the dish? What if… What if… What if…. This added to the fact that the very recipe for the salad they ate along with the dish just happened to turn up in the paper the day after the boy told his love’s grandmother. The questions, plannings, and now the salad recipe falls into his lap! He thought it a sign so it was decided that the next weekend if she worked it would be that very day. He took solace in the fact that this would blind side her and would not interfere with plans already being made between them to celebrate their anniversary.
In preparation he purchased a new nice white tablecloth and set of napkins, candle holders, and candles. He checked their silver, china, and stemware. The day came, and due to a timing issue early in the morning the secret was nearly let out too soon. However the details remain hidden, but now the girl knew something was up. However he had bought all the ingredients for the salad and chicken and at this point there was no going back.
Early in the day he prepped the salad and readied the chicken for the grill, but left the house untouched as it was unknown if this was to be a half or full workday. Once the call came that it was to indeed be a full work day, the boy pulled the dining table in front of the fire place leaving only two chairs. Also he emptied the room of lamps, shelves, recliners, and gliders. Then brought in a couch to square off the dining area and for later use of enjoying the fire that was to be. Next the tablecloth, napkins, silverware, and candles were placed upon the table. The mantle was attacked next clearing it of it’s normal items, and replacing them with pictures of their wedding day, two new votive candle holders each holding five, their unity candle, and an empty champaign bottle from their honeymoon nearly seven years ago. It was now he brought out the picture albums of photos of their wedding, reception, and honeymoon.
It was just shy of 5pm when he dropped of their three lovely children with the sitter for the evening, and then raced to their close friends’ house to drop off an assortment of dresses, makeup, shoes, and anything else he could think she might need to get ready for them to “go” to dinner. This friend having already called he girl to come over and “talk”. While she was getting ready he set to cooking the meal.
It was at this time that a crisis threatened the master plan. While waiting for the grill to heat it flamed out and the tank found to be empty, but with a call he was saved by the girl’s grandfather who brought over another tank for him to borrow. The china was set, and the food was cooking nicely when another problem reared its head. While trying to open the bottle of wine with a cheap plastic opener one handle snapped, then the other, and still once trying to pull it out by hand using the corkscrew part of the opener it snapped! Still with a quick call to the house his wife was at the husband of the house, also a good friend (well I would hope so), ran over with their opener to have the day saved once again.
Finally, all was set. He went and picked up the girl to “take her to dinner”, but on the way he once again pulled out that oscar worthy acting ability and played that he had forgotten something at home. Pulling up in the drive way the ever observant girl noticed something taped to their screen door, and inquired as to who would put hat up there. With a wry, “I don’t know,” and a very telling smile he turned off the motor and stepped around opening her door offering for her to take his hand. As they approached the door she could then make out the sign that read, “Welcome to Chateau de Graham” and then inquired as he opened the door revealing the dressed table with candles next to the roaring fireplace.
The surprise was delivered, much to her surprise, and he told her a story much like this, although much shorter, as the final piece of the puzzle fell into place. Only now did she realize that not only could she dine on this delightfully delicious meal they had both thought lost forever this night, but at any time she wished. This, along with the surprise evening, was his gift to her.
After dinner the table was moved away and the couch placed in front of the fire as they cuddled looking through pictures and remember a thousand memories talking and simply enjoying the warmth of both the fire and each other.
My thanks go to:
-Chef David Glynn (Who learned me well, and show an immeasurable patience with my questions and severe lack of real skill in the kitchen)
-Grandma (Who watched our little darlings)
-Our Little Darlings (All of whom knew, but no one told April)
-Cindy (For helping get April dressed)
-Jason (For the bottle opener)
-Grandpa (For the loaner gas)
-I Tunes (For the rockin classical guitar music)(note: it didn’t rock, but it worked)
-Everyone who knew the secret and for keeping it so.
-All the little people…. Ok so all the not so little people, heck I’d even say average people like me who will read this and share in the fun I had putting all this together.
And finally to April for without whom such an adventure would never have been possible, and for whom my heart still beats faster as thoughts of her enter my mind. For she is my inspiration, my muse, and my love.
Now I challenge all you other guys out there reading this to post such stories as this. May the evidence of our love for our women sweep across LJ and fill the boards with proof that romance is not dead.
The Surprise Gift
There was a boy and a girl years back that used to date. They enjoyed each others company and often frequented various restaurants dining on nearly every cuisine imaginable. One such eatery they used to frequent on special occasions was to enjoy a very delicious peasant salad and even more amazing chicken cordon bleu.
This dish was so tasty that even the boy who craved steak abandoned his bovine delights for this poultry extravaganza of taste. However sadly for one reason or another, the eatery was closing its doors, and with days left in its life the two, now married, again went to have one of their favorite meals. However to their dismay the chef had already left and the menu had been slashed cutting out their chicken cordon bleu among other things leaving very little behind, and over the next several years, on many occasions, their misfortune was remembered and mouths would water for just one more taste.
Searching the internet they could not find a recipe that seemed to fit the bill. Though never trying them it was always cheese and ham stuffed in a chicken breast. This was then to be breaded and deep fried, and there was certainly no breading or frying involved in the dish that brought them back to that same eatery years ago. Even those frozen precooked bricks were tried, but alas no joy was wrought by such effort.
All seemed lost till one day there was a chance meeting at the boy’s ten-year high school reunion. The boy had found from one of the organizers of the event that the caterer was a former chef of the eatery once frequented by the two. His heart leapt with joy and though he passed on the news to the girl he kept his true hopes secret. At the reunion it was confirmed that this was the very man whose recipe was used for the now lost poultry delight, and discussion was had by this boy and his lady with the chef about how they longed to once again have his famed dish. However the boy did not push his hopes forward in front of his love as still there remained the seed of an idea, which was kept hidden from her.
It was about two months after the reunion after scouring the internet, for a way to contact the chef, that he got the brilliant idea to get in touch with those who organized the event. Upon getting the chef’s e-mail address he worked on how to word such a request. Firing off his e-mail asking if he could come and fix the dish for their anniversary about 7months away, or if he, in his wildest dreams, get the recipe and fix the dish. Much to his surprise the chef offered to come and teach the boy how to prepare the dish. They talked about pricing and the boy was only happy to agree to the chef’s first request as the seed of an idea had taken root and began to grow.
Through the holidays the chef was very busy and had asked the boy to call him in about a month and a half once the new year had come and things were slower. Once the new year came they spoke a few times about scheduling the lesson. This was made very easy as the boy’s love worked during the mornings, and even nearly every Saturday as it was now the infamous “tax season”.
It was on a somewhat chilly Saturday that the chef came and trained the boy in preparation, cooking, and other finer points of not only that dish, but many other methods and possibilities.
While the lesson was being given the girl happened to call the boy on her way to pick up lunch for the office. She was reluctant to tell him at first, but with some round questioning he deduced that it was Elsa’s she was picking up. Acting slightly put out, as it was Elsa’s he had been craving for sometime, the boy complained about how she was eating such tasty stuff and he was stuck with reheated leftovers and Cici's Pizza. Both a far cry from the food she was about to eat. Smile to the chef let him know that it was all in jest, to which they both laughed, as the secret remained hidden from her as the boy continued to give an oscar worthy performance as it was the very dish they both craved he was about to sample once more.
The lesson had gone so well and now there was a vast array of food that had to disappear. Quickly the boy contacted his brother and invited both he and his wife to come over and sample some of the “TON” of marvelous food that was prepared. Once they arrived the secret was explained and it was agreed that the Cordon Bleu was AMAZING. Having sent them home with multiple containers packed with food and still with all having eaten their fill, the boy set quickly to cleaning the mountain of dirty dishes. Having the dishes done he then set to hide the remaining unused items from the lesson, like cheeses, jars of various ingredients, oils, and boxes of flour. Those items which did not need to be refrigerated were secreted away to a dark corner of the basement, and those that did were hidden in the unused fridge in the garage. Still with the garage used every night by his lady love the boy resolved to turn the fridge down when he left for work and then up again upon his return so as it’s running may not call her attention and spoil the surprise now being cooked up in his mind.
The seed of an idea had now grown into a full towering oak and again consumed the boy as he played one scenario after another through his head. Most of them started off the same where she would get ready away from the house and once dressed either return home or be picked up by the boy. However from there many possibilities emerged. One of the first ideas was to have the actual chef come and cook the meal then surprise her with the fact that the boy now knew how to prepare it, but it lacked flexibility, and was soon tossed. Another had his love being picked up in a nice automobile and chauffeured home for the big reveal, but this lacked a certain personal touch. Still another had the boy in a Cosby Showish manner playing parts of the Host, Waiter, Chef, and himself in an act to add humor to the scene. He even working up some short quips and lines playing each character off another in effort to make her laugh and smile that smile that could melt the ice atop Everest, but comedy was not the mood he desired to portray. Finally he resolved his plan and began making his final preparations.
The Monday following his lesson the boy made his first attempt at preparing the dish and though it had minor flaws, like the rice being a little tough and the sauce needed just a bit more oomph to get the flavor. A quick call to his new chef friend had resolved those issues, and the boy was now confident in his ability to prepare the dish. However at this point the boy had already told his daughters, brother, sister-in-law, parents, aunts, uncles, and any co-worker that would stop long enough to listen about his plans for their anniversary which was still more than a month away!
The secret was getting big and it had consumed the boy to the point that doubt began to creep into his mind. What if she doesn’t like it? What if I screw up the dish? What if… What if… What if…. This added to the fact that the very recipe for the salad they ate along with the dish just happened to turn up in the paper the day after the boy told his love’s grandmother. The questions, plannings, and now the salad recipe falls into his lap! He thought it a sign so it was decided that the next weekend if she worked it would be that very day. He took solace in the fact that this would blind side her and would not interfere with plans already being made between them to celebrate their anniversary.
In preparation he purchased a new nice white tablecloth and set of napkins, candle holders, and candles. He checked their silver, china, and stemware. The day came, and due to a timing issue early in the morning the secret was nearly let out too soon. However the details remain hidden, but now the girl knew something was up. However he had bought all the ingredients for the salad and chicken and at this point there was no going back.
Early in the day he prepped the salad and readied the chicken for the grill, but left the house untouched as it was unknown if this was to be a half or full workday. Once the call came that it was to indeed be a full work day, the boy pulled the dining table in front of the fire place leaving only two chairs. Also he emptied the room of lamps, shelves, recliners, and gliders. Then brought in a couch to square off the dining area and for later use of enjoying the fire that was to be. Next the tablecloth, napkins, silverware, and candles were placed upon the table. The mantle was attacked next clearing it of it’s normal items, and replacing them with pictures of their wedding day, two new votive candle holders each holding five, their unity candle, and an empty champaign bottle from their honeymoon nearly seven years ago. It was now he brought out the picture albums of photos of their wedding, reception, and honeymoon.
It was just shy of 5pm when he dropped of their three lovely children with the sitter for the evening, and then raced to their close friends’ house to drop off an assortment of dresses, makeup, shoes, and anything else he could think she might need to get ready for them to “go” to dinner. This friend having already called he girl to come over and “talk”. While she was getting ready he set to cooking the meal.
It was at this time that a crisis threatened the master plan. While waiting for the grill to heat it flamed out and the tank found to be empty, but with a call he was saved by the girl’s grandfather who brought over another tank for him to borrow. The china was set, and the food was cooking nicely when another problem reared its head. While trying to open the bottle of wine with a cheap plastic opener one handle snapped, then the other, and still once trying to pull it out by hand using the corkscrew part of the opener it snapped! Still with a quick call to the house his wife was at the husband of the house, also a good friend (well I would hope so), ran over with their opener to have the day saved once again.
Finally, all was set. He went and picked up the girl to “take her to dinner”, but on the way he once again pulled out that oscar worthy acting ability and played that he had forgotten something at home. Pulling up in the drive way the ever observant girl noticed something taped to their screen door, and inquired as to who would put hat up there. With a wry, “I don’t know,” and a very telling smile he turned off the motor and stepped around opening her door offering for her to take his hand. As they approached the door she could then make out the sign that read, “Welcome to Chateau de Graham” and then inquired as he opened the door revealing the dressed table with candles next to the roaring fireplace.
The surprise was delivered, much to her surprise, and he told her a story much like this, although much shorter, as the final piece of the puzzle fell into place. Only now did she realize that not only could she dine on this delightfully delicious meal they had both thought lost forever this night, but at any time she wished. This, along with the surprise evening, was his gift to her.
After dinner the table was moved away and the couch placed in front of the fire as they cuddled looking through pictures and remember a thousand memories talking and simply enjoying the warmth of both the fire and each other.
My thanks go to:
-Chef David Glynn (Who learned me well, and show an immeasurable patience with my questions and severe lack of real skill in the kitchen)
-Grandma (Who watched our little darlings)
-Our Little Darlings (All of whom knew, but no one told April)
-Cindy (For helping get April dressed)
-Jason (For the bottle opener)
-Grandpa (For the loaner gas)
-I Tunes (For the rockin classical guitar music)(note: it didn’t rock, but it worked)
-Everyone who knew the secret and for keeping it so.
-All the little people…. Ok so all the not so little people, heck I’d even say average people like me who will read this and share in the fun I had putting all this together.
And finally to April for without whom such an adventure would never have been possible, and for whom my heart still beats faster as thoughts of her enter my mind. For she is my inspiration, my muse, and my love.
Now I challenge all you other guys out there reading this to post such stories as this. May the evidence of our love for our women sweep across LJ and fill the boards with proof that romance is not dead.