Did Anybody Think to Ask?

We are very fortunate that Sothwold CommunityParanormal and Science Fiction Book Club has chosen the Cafe as their meeting place on the third Wednesday of the month. As I am such a avid reader. Henri suggested that I participate.

The book for March is ,Blood Prophecy  by Stefan Petrucha. I picked it up at the library yesterday . The writing flows well but I have a problem with it. The protagonist is a vampire named Jeremiah Falls ,who, like Stephanie Meyer's Cullens feeds only from animals. I am tired of vegetarian vampires, they are so politically correct. When he won't eat whatever glop they have thrown together for him as a ship's prisoner, he feeds off the rats of the ship. Ugh! Public service has its limits! When he has the opportunity to have a decent meal in the form of a character named Saint-Hilaire, a government official under Napoleon, Jeremiah stops and asks the date because he is worried about the end of the world.

Now let's be practical about this. The average man has 10-12 pints of blood in his body and the average woman 8-10 pints. I wasn't able to find out how much blood the average rat hold but given the comparative body size, I would bet that it would take a heck of a lot of rats to make up the difference . In which case, the ship had, I believe, bigger problems than one vampire on board. Besides, I hate rats and would not want them for my dinner. There are much nicer things to have than rats. Like, say, chocolate ice cream?

Henri and I recently went to a food show in Nashville, TN . One of the vendors that exhibited was a local named Mike's Soda Fountain and Coffee Shop. Henri tried the Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream while I ate the Chocolate Overload. I wish that they would go national because the texture, the temperature, and blend of flavors was just perfect. Pricewise, they would be competitive with Haagen Das or Ben and Jerry's but are so much better . They have a store just a few blocks from the world famous Tootsie's bar on Broadway. Their shop is located at 208 Broadway in Nashville. Phone is 615-742-6453.

I like chocolate ice cream. No one ever feeds their vampires chocolate ice cream. Just an entree of rodents that the Human population didn't want anyway. Now, I ask you , is that polite? I mean no one even asks if the vampires would like some chocolate ice cream. Probably it wouldn't be high on their list but given the alternatives that most Humans offer most vampires in the printed and media world, its got to be up there.

Post Valentine Fun. The Compatibility Test Results:

We asked some of you who had to wait for a table on Valentine's Day to take a compatability test. ( If you could not join us- leave me a comment below and I will send you the website.) Its based on Numerology . In keep our promise to also take the test, I am posting the results . I think that they are fairly accurate.

"Rae, your Heart's Desire is 23/5
Freedom is essential for your happiness. You love change, new experiences,
meeting new people, adventure and travel. You love the exotic, far away places.
Variety is more than mere spice of life -- you thrive on it. You are extremely
flexible and adaptable. You have more curiosity than the proverbial cat. You
have a sharp mind and a natural ability with words. You are a born communicator,
clear, fluent, and imaginative in every area that interests you -- which are
many!

Your Heart's Desire makes you very well equipped for life. Change -- the only
constant in life -- doesn't threaten you, as it does other people. You are
highly resourceful. Generally, you can think clearly in a crisis; you have good
mental and physical reflexes. Whenever you fall, you tend to land on your
feet.

You are highly enthusiastic. You get excited easily over a new idea or
opportunity. Your nature is unconventional. You are a bit of a gambler, taking
risks whenever you think the rewards are worth it.

You are very socially oriented and rarely, if ever, dull or boring. You are,
of course, drawn to those people who, like yourself, are original thinkers and
have exciting personalities.

You enjoy being involved in several projects at the same time. You need
continual stimulation by the new and fascinating. You tend to discard boring
pastimes quickly.

Your love of freedom and change can have numerous consequences. You can be
irresponsible, especially when it comes to finishing tasks. You have a hard time
persevering at a given project and bringing it to completion.

You must be careful that your love of sensory pleasure doesn't lead you to
excessive indulgence in alcohol, food, sex, and even drugs.

You are a bit of a hero and want to save the world. This causes you to make
promises you often cannot keep. Down deep, you long to please everyone, an
impossible goal.

Many 5s can be emotionally superficial. They feel love passionately, but fear
making deep and lasting commitments. As a result, they resist the depths of
emotional attachments and remain on the surface where it is safe.

You will experience many changes and unusual events, but you learn best
through experience. Therefore, your life will be full and you will make great
strides in personal growth

Henri, your Heart's Desire is 19/1
Your overpowering need is to be independent and to direct your own life
according to what you believe. Your dream is to become the leader of whatever
field you enter. Whether it is in business, community, or in your general area
of expertise, you are driven to be the reigning figure.


You have the courage and the confidence to lead others. You believe firmly
that your judgment is preeminent over all others. This gives you the confidence
to make bold decisions and carry them out, even when other lives are greatly
affected by what you do. You rarely look back once you have made a decision.


You possess intelligence and wit. You are keenly insightful and are good at
evaluating the abilities of others.


You are supremely individualistic. In your manner and dress, you like to
project your own unique persona.


Consequently, you don't mind being controversial, and can even enjoy the
attention and impact you have made on your surroundings.

You dislike routines, or anything that limits your freedom and
independence.


Whenever you commit to something you truly love, you are absolutely tenacious
in your ability to endure difficulties and overcome obstacles. You are highly
responsible; you hate passing the buck. You possess remarkable willpower and a
strong drive to succeed.


You are always looking for innovative ways of doing things.


Because you seek to be the boss in any endeavor, you have a tendency to
dominate others. If you are not careful, especially in dealing with your
subordinates and family, you may become ruthless in your decisions and behavior.
You can also fall victim to impatience and intolerance, particularly if you grow
conceited or superior.


You are the pioneer and the ground-breaker. You love the foreground, the
hot-seat of responsibility. You have all the talents to succeed. As long as you
maintain balance in your life, allowing others full expression of their thoughts
and abilities, you will easily rise to the top of your chosen field and realize
your ambitions.

Your Heart's Desire's compatibility is 5 and 1

The compatibility of these two numbers is about as good as it gets. There
will never be any danger of boredom, complacency, or emptiness in a relationship
that has heads turning and people whispering. Like wind and fire, the
personality traits in this combination can both create and destroy, but the one
and five feed on each other and respect each other's powers. They are like a
blacksmith and his anvil, and when they set out side by side to fulfill their
goals and dreams, nothing can withstand their combined forces. This is a
relationship of intensity and moments of rarely achieved highs, where the
promise of ecstatic experiences of love, spiritual bonding and shared dreams is
very real.


As with any number combination, dangers also hover over their heads.
Sometimes, undesired winds blow and forces turn - not so much against each other
as against their shared dreams. When that happens, their mutual influence
becomes destructive, turning a moderate, healthy need for variety, sensual
pleasure and adventures into a negative force.


As with all things in life, reaching up takes effort while sliding down is
only a matter of letting go. As long as the willingness to reach up and the
capacity to put forth effort and self-control exists for both henri and rae,
this can be a wonderful ride. But they should both always be on the alert - it
is not uncommon for this combination to pull each other down. When the partners
allow that to happen, they may end up involved with drugs, alcohol, sex,
food-addictions, laziness, or blaming the world for their misfortunes, and
blaming each other as a final result. Therefore, living this combination of
numbers can be compared to skating on thin ice.


rae, it is very important that you maintain focus on what you want out of
this life. Do not get distracted or seduced by the pleasures that are so easily
obtainable. Set high standards for yourself. In this relationship, Henri must
truly play the role of a captain on the ship, but not because rae is not
capable. As a matter of fact, Rae has more talents than you can shake a stick
at. However, Henri's energy is more directed and controlled, while Rae's is more
dynamic, more volatile - yet not in an aggressive way. Rae is impulsive,
responsive to the moment, less controlled and, for all that Rae is, therefore,
also vulnerable to being misguided. Keep in mind that too much adventurism can
be a dangerous thing.


While this is one of the most promising and long-lasting combinations, it is
also one that can take you both to the edge. Therefore, discipline and
moderation are the key words in this relationship."


Bon Soir et Bon Apetit,
Arina Copain
Office Manager

Valentine's Day

The last thing that I asked Henri and my father in law before I left for my early afternoon class in taxes was "Are you sure that you don't need me to stay here and help earlier than usual ?"

Henri  told me : We have it covered- most of the diners tonight are by reservation.

Jean Paul reassured me " We have done this forever. The truffles are boxed and marked. We have everything prepped . What could possibly go wrong?"

So I took my accounting text as well as the M R Sellars novel that I read on the bus. Henri usually picks me up after class but I had made arrangements for my Aunt Liz , a gorgeous tall blonde with a perfect figure , to pick me up and bring me home, as I do not drive. I had intended her to come into our flat downstairs for a cup of coffee before she went home to my Uncle Andrew.
We drove down Whitman to Poe , thinking that she could park out back. It was a wonderful idea. I hadn't counted on every parking spot on Poe being filled , people walking towards Hawthorne and Alcott. We were bombed. I was flabberghasted. "Need help? "she offered. I evaluated the situation. There was the problem of parking. " Let me unlock the gate, you can park in the yard where Henri parks. There is room enough. "She parked her Prius next to out Buick, running behind me into the flat , bolting upstairs. I thrust the bus pan at her " Would you mind? We are going to need tables as fast as we can get them." She threw an apron over her clothes and cleared at an inhuman speed. Jean Paul retreated to the kitchen as I took over the register . I went to the door and called out names of those with a reservations. The line moved forward. " No shows lose their reservation after 30 mins" called Henri from the kitchen. Dishes clattered , saute pans hit the sink to be precleaned for the dish machine. There was constant buzz of human chatter from the dining room. " Yes, Chef," I answered. From four o'clock to almost eleven we were swamped. I looked around about seven , seeing a tall thin man with a coffee pot making the rounds. I knew him. My uncle had come looking for Liz and jumped in when he saw the situation. It took the three of us working to return the dining room to readiness for the next day. The partners broke down the kitchen , steam from the dish machine made the air humid . I brought a carafe of coffee to the table that our family uses near the pass, where orers are placed and picked up. We were done, the door was locked. We had somehow pulled it off ."Excuse me "  A petite dark haired woman stepped from the hall which lead from the rest rooms.
" I am sorry , Miss. But the kitchen is closed. " Henri was exhausted.
 " I know, "she returned, walked over to Jean Paul , handing him a single red rose. " Happy Valentine's Day."
Jean Paul explained " Caroline got dumped by her exboyfriend in the cafe about two weeks ago. I comped her meal and we talked about the louse. She works for Hewlett Packard in Boston . "
The young woman pulled a chair to the table. " Did you guess that it was me? Sorry for the confusion , I did not realize that there were two Mr Copain here. You were so kind to take me home so I didn't have to take the late night bus.  "
Henri smiled " My father is nice like that"
"How old are you? " I asked her." Twenty two. "
" I dropped her off and there was nothing more," Jean Paul faced the waiting table.
" But there could be, I think" Caroline added. All eyes turned back to my father in law. "After all , you are what? Sixty? "
"Something like that" coughed Jean Paul. "You are very sweet, let me call you a cab. I am way too tired to consider anything as serious as this tonight. "
"Could be just what you need to pick you up," offered my uncle laughing.
 Jean Paul glared at him." There is the question of boundries to be considered. Someone else knows that she is here, I am sure. "
" Only my friend, Julie " the young woman added.
" There , you see."
"Well, I am pooped," Henri announced. " Coming ? " he asked.
" We have to be going anyway ," added Liz as she pulled Andrew from the table.
" You have keys, lock the door behind you" replied Henri , giving his father a meaningful look.
 " Nothing is going to happen ,"defended his father."Uh huh. Whtever." Henri turned to me " Coming? "
 I kissed Jean Paul good night. I followed Henri downstairs as he whispered " I told you that it wasn't me."  

Okay, I will answer the Emails/Our Valentine's Dinner at Home

Two questions that I am frequently asked is do Henri and I eat at home , and who cooks. He loves to cook but I do cook at home . This is not the usual steak and potatoes that we eat but trying to outwit the master . I cannot bring frozen whip topping into the house - he claims that it tastes chemical to him as well as too sweet. Fortunate for me,  real whipped cream is easy to make.
This is Sunday and the cafe is closed. Both partners are prepping for tommorrow's Valentine's dinner as well as the truffles that have to be made. I am surprising His Nibs with dinner this evening . Research has taken me weeks. So here is the office manager's menu for Valentine's Day. I included sources for recipes.
Sangria real (Royal Sangria)
Crabmeat Crema Fresca (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/chefs-table-queso-fundido-casserole-12722919?tab=9482930&section=4806329&playlist=1539475&page=1)(appetizer)
Garlic Smeared Rosemary Roast Chicken (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=7299407)He loves garlic, so do I !)
Ramen Noodle Salad  (http://www.easysaladrecipes.com/ramennoodlesaladrecipe.html)
Mango with Chocolate Meringue  (http://www.healthy-eating-made-easy.com/easy-valentine-day-dessert-recipes.html)  Remember he bakes all day- cupcakes hold no appeal for him. He likes dessert with fruit or just fruit.
The garlic in the chicken is fine-we will both be eating it. I picked everything up the other day when I got called to temp in the accounting department of a law office where my Aunt was also temping. So I think my secret is safe so far.
Finish off the evening with some mulled wine, and its been chilly so I will light the fireplace, I think.
So not a word to Chef. Tommorrow is Valentine's Day and I can't wait to see who is the mystery Valentine .
Bon Soir et Bon Apetit,
Arina Copain
Office Manager

Looking forward to Valentine's Day

Its been an interesting afternoon , here at the cafe. Right after Henri called the order for the scallops into our supplier, the weatherman started to predict the worse storm of the year for Valentine's weekend. As the scallops are to be fresh not frozen , he was less than pleased with the news.

When I opened the cafe this morning, there were flyers from an organization ,Avaaz ,against Valentine's Chocolates, taped to our door.Our official stance on this is this- if you care so much about Human Rights, what about the right of the small business person to make a living. Anyone who does any kind of chocolate work , sells candy, or even, hot chocolate is hurt by such a boycott. Yes, we may be doing business with the major suppliers such as Godiva, Herseys, Lindt, Cadbury but we aren't they. To declare a major boycott after orders have been placed is, I feel, counterproductive. There are only so many suppliers, even fewer that don't taste as if they have been hanging out in a cow barn. There are five major confection holidays Halloween/Samhain, Yule/Christmas, Valentine's Day , Easter/Ostara, and Mother's Day. If you care about Human Rights, why not declare your boycott in July and let the retailers think about it till they place orders for Fall. Give them time to investigate the claims. Because the chocolate that Avaaz is protesting has already been purchased by the little guy or woman-so you aren't hurting the suppliers or the evil government forces that is claimed in the flyers and on the website but your neighbors and local stores. So the effect of the boycott won't even be felt for six months at best at the supplier's level and may , a year if ,at all on the governmental. When did initiative become a sin? You haven't saved a single life over seas but you may have been instrumental in harming a small American business. Count me as one of the sinful.

So speaking of sin- I asked about the price of the truffles as we had not quoted one . $2.50 each or 6 for $12.00 . Call if you are placing multiple orders because I think Chef can be persuaded into a better price for larger orders, especially if allotted more time to assemble, Saturday would be an excellant day to place those orders as I intend that we step out for an evening out and a bite on Friday.

Even wicked Capitalists have to have some fun and a good meal from time to time.

Bon Soir et Bon Apetit ,
Arina Copain
Office Manager

The Valentine's Day Menu

Hot off the presses, as they say . The Valentine's Menu
Your choice of : Roasted Vegetable Soup over Brown Rice
Wild Mushroom Tart with Broccoli Rabe and Goat Cheese
Passion Fruit and Citrus Salad
Entrees: Scallops in Sage Cream for Two
Chicken with Black Mushroom Coulis
Filet Mignon with Red Wine Sauce
Desserts: Cinnamon-scented minibundt cakes
with peaches and sour cream
Chocolate-Espresso Mousse Tart
White Chocolate Creme Brulee
We have had several calls asking if Henri will be making chocolate truffles for Valentine's Day.
Yes, but orders must be placed by February 11th by close of business (9pm)
They are available in liquor filled : (Frangelico,Baileys,Goldiva,Kahlua,Amaretto)
Mexican Chocolate
Toffee & Fleur de Sel
Mint
Reservations for Valentine's Day are recommended . ( we will do our best to accomodate walk ins.)

Telephone is (508)-555-93328

Fax is (508)-555-95533

For those who have asked about our little mystery. No, we have not solved it. We did get a graphic on the computer this afternoon of an unfolding heart ,which after playing As Time Goes By , revealed a giant bold ? . The heart morphed into a pair of giant lips which emitted the dialogue balloon " WHO AM I?"

Bon soir et bon apetit,
Arina Copain
Office Manager
                                      

The Valentine Mystery

We should have expected it. After all , we do pride ourselves as being intelligent people. For the last two weeks , there have been random deliveries to the cafe . Imagine our confusion as they were all addressed to Mr Copain,  We have two Mr Copain here, my husband Henri and his father , Jean Paul.
Opening the packages did not lend a clue as to whom the presents were intended. The first arrived about two weeks ago asking Mr Copain to be her Valentine in a bunch of a dozen red roses in a crystal vase. They are currently sitting on the counter on the corner by the window. Lovely present but the card came unsigned and did not say which Mr. Copain.
Last week,  there was this huge blue Teddy bear  propped up in a chair by the door holding a big red heart box of  chocolates. He came with a card. BE MINE VALENTINE! Again it was unsigned .  Neither of the gentlemen in question is admitting to knowledge of who the mystery person is. I am assuming that it is a woman.
This morning was the kicker. A bottle of red wine, a cd of romantic music , and a pair of women's panties size 5. There was a typewritten note inside saying that they would email instructions on where to meet them for Valentine's Day dinner the morning of Valentine's Day.
I look forward to learning who the mystery person is. And I make a promise to all of you who follow this blog, if its the wrong Mr Copain, I intend to have this person for dinner.
Speaking of which , we will be running a special limited menu for Valentine's Day. I expect to have it posted this week. I am just waiting for Henri to finalize it.
Bon soir et bon appetit,
Arina Copain
Office Manager.