Opening Night for Eris

Dear Liza,

Our new friend Tony Pepe and his new bar Eris had their opening night this past Friday. It was a very warm evening and we were looking for nice cold cocktails. We found them!

Auntie Bridgett had an Armagnac, I had a new creation called the Carmen Sutra, and Grandpa Nelson had a glass of red wine. Mine is the pretty pink one.

There was a lively crowd of happy people, including some of our neighbors, enjoying conversation, music, and Tony’s friendly staff; Cassius, Kyle, and Mitchell.

The decor of Eris really speaks to me.

Sigorney Weaver as Ripley (with her cat) keeps look out from over the bar; homages to Sir Terry Pratchett decorate what we will forever call OUR table, and Vigo from Ghostbusters II haunts the bathroom.

You gotta love a haunted bathroom!

The music was a bit loud for my taste, but I’m 68 and don’t generally care for loud music. I’m sure, as cocktail bars go, it was perfect.

As the summer wears on, I know we will be stopping by Eris for yummy wines and chilled cocktails, clever conversation and tasty snacks.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Christmas Day 2021

Dear Liza,

Once noon came around, it was time to get moving. Katie and the kids were on their way! As they came through the door, the first thing we saw was Jasper carrying the Buche de Noel, a wonderful rolled up cake that looks like a frosted log. We have seen folks make them on The British Bake Off, and know how tricky they are. This one, made by Katie and Kestrel, even had meringue mushrooms and a caterpillar named Jeffrey.

But before we got to the delicious dessert, we played games. Jasper had brought his video game and he and Grandpa Nelson had on-the-couch-guy time.

Kestrel found some dice in the cupboard and made up a new game we called Three Blind Dice, where you close your eyes and choose one of the different colored dice, roll it, and do some complicated math to see who wins. It was fun and got everyone on the floor to play.

There were also sugar cookies (thanks to Auntie Katie’s dough) to roll, bake and decorate. Kestrel used a stool to be tall enough to roll and cut them. She has a delicate touch and a lot of patience. It was fun seeing her and Katie working together!

Lots of coming and going in our small kitchen made for a few traffic jams, but it all worked out.

Auntie Bridgett and Kestrel set the table with all our pretty Christmas plates, and when the pork and veggies were ready, we feasted. My challah came out so pretty.

And when we were full of happiness and food, delicious cake and pretty cookies, we watched a really fun and interesting movie called ”The Hogfather”, based on books by the late, great Terry Pratchett. Like all of Sir Terry’s work, it was odd and ironic and wise. Everyone enjoyed it.

When we were all ready for bed, we packed everything up and walked Katie and family to their car in the near freezing night.

Merry Christmas to all!

Love,

Grandma Judy