Friday, March 13, 2009

Priorities

Tonight we celebrated my dad's birthday at Shamus T-Bones out in Carlotta. If you haven't been yet, you really should. It's fantastic. We gorged on various barbecued meats, cornbread muffins, chili, coleslaw, salads and baked beans and washed it all down with beer. If there's one thing my family knows how to do, it's eat. And we do. Well and often.

Earlier in the day my mom had baked my dad's favorite raspberry/blackberry pie and had dropped it off at T-bones to surprise him. There was no way she would trust a restaurant with a birthday dessert. It was a glorious pie. The crust was flaky and tender. The filling glittered with red and was sweet with just the right hint of tartness. Topped with vanilla ice cream it was the perfect ending to a completely gluttonous meal.



Big Hands endeared himself to my parents by eating more than everyone and moaning in ecstasy while inhaling the pie. It was a really good time.

Unfortunately our exit from the restaurant was a bit shaky. We all walked our very full bellies slowly to the door trying not to pop the buttons off our jeans or make attention-getting grimaces.

Mom was holding the half-empty pie plate in her hands and somehow lost her footing on the cement curb. Her feet flew out from under her; she landed flat on her back, bruised her tailbone and cracked her head on the sidewalk.

The hostess came running as Dad and Big Hands helped her sit up. Mom was stunned and in obvious pain. She put her hand up to her throbbing head, gave a little moan and then looked around wildly.

I leaned down to her. "What is it Mom? Are you okay? Do you need help?"

She looked up at all three of us with tears in her eyes and asked,

"Is the pie okay?"

14 comments:

Kristabel said...

Hey, mom, don't be mad at me for writing about you. If it makes you feel any better the minute I hit the publish button I got stung by a big wasp.

xo

Anonymous said...

Too funny! I hope your mom's ok.

Carol said...

Lots of love, hugs and kisses to Kristabel's mom!

Anonymous said...

Well, Kristabel, one never knows, does one. A lovely dinner and desert and happy bd to dad and a big kaboom on the sidewalk! Everything is fine except my ego! I laughed and laughed when I read your blog about me! No one could have said it better.

Anonymous said...

Sounds wonderful! Yum Yummy! Very glad your mom is okay!

Kato said...

I'm also relieved that such a talented baker and thoughtful woman is not seriously hurt, but.... WAS the pie OK?

Kristabel said...

Aaaw, Mom, I'm so glad you laughed. But I was telling the truth about the wasp sting.

Kato, unfortunately Mom's pie didn't make the fall as intact as she did. Fortunately for us, though, she had already cut a big slice out and handed it to Big Hands on a paper plate. I've been listening to him moan while he ate it for the last 10 minutes.

Indie said...

I'm glad your mom is ok!

That was an awfully beautiful pie. I'm glad you guys ate plenty of it before its demise.

It's a blessing you have your family around here to have birthday dinners with. I am envious!

And envious also that you also found Big Hands. Does he have a brother?

Bumblebee said...

Oh mom P, nice almost save on the pie. I'm going to need to have words with big hands for not saving a bite or three for me. Bad you, bad. Tell Terry Happy Birthday from me. Love you all!

Anonymous said...

Hilarious. I'm so glad she was ok. You've got my interest perked up enough that we might make a trip out to Carlotta for dinner. Of course, it won't be the same without the pie ;-).

Jennifer McKenzie said...

HOW have I not heard of this place? Your poor mom! But she's right. The pie comes first. LOL.

Kristabel said...

Sandi and Jen,

You have to try it! Not only is the food really good, but the place itself is very fun.

Wait...am I visualizing...a Humboldt women bloggers get-together in Carlotta?

Kristabel said...

Indie,

Be careful or my family will adopt you, just like they have Bumblebee.

See you soon!

xo

Anonymous said...

Kristabel, a meet up sounds great!