I will confess, I am not a sports fan and I have a very limited knowledge of most sports. As a result of my lack of knowledge, I have always had very little interest in sports in general. The one season I do enjoy has always been March basketball and all the excitement of the Sweet Sixteen, Final Four and the expected and unexpected pairings and winners.

This year I was able to attend the season games of Butler. Sitting in the same seat each time and being with someone that actually took the time to engage me in the game and explain not only the calls but share a bit about each player made all the difference. I was hooked. Hinkle Fieldhouse is an amazing place. I had been there for basketball camps with my son over many summers years ago. I thought it was a unique and special place then as it epitomized what I always thought Indiana Basketball was all about. I grew up in Chicago and it just isn’t the same there. Oh I know that people in Illinois love basketball but it just isn’t the same- truly it isn’t. Hinkle Fieldhouse during a home game, in an undefeated season, near the end of the season, is unlike any other sporting experience I have ever seen. Sounds silly, but I felt that I was among family members- all cheering on our own kids.

I loved watching my son play hockey for years. I cheered (even at the 6 a.m. games in a freezing ice rink), I wore my colors and held up handmade signs as we played for the win. Not since those days have I ever had the feeling that I got at Hinkle that would propel me from my seat to clap and cheer like I was at a hockey game of long ago. Not since this team at Butler, have had the inclination to sit alone and watch a game on t.v. and cheer and jump up and down (scaring poor Duke and embarrasing Maddie and the cats), and scream with joy at a win like they had over Murray State.

I was proud of myself- I do have it in me to be a sports fan. I do now understand what others might be feeling as they watch their favorite teams.

I won’t plan on this being a new leaf completely though. It is not all sports that will convert me this way.It is all because of the “Butler Way”. As I said before, I am hooked. I am smitten with the team of young men who cherish their education as much as they do their sport. Smitten with a coach and adults that partner with him to nurture the players as young athletes as well as young men- fine young men as well. It is undeniable when you watch them on the court and on the sidelines. Undeniable when you read about them and hear the respect and perspective that they share for the game as well as for one another. I am smitten with the crowd of fans- the warmth and loyalty is evident each time I enter the Fieldhouse and all the way back to our car.

Brad Stevens is to be commended and admired and as a mother, I would consider it a blessing to have him serve as a role model and coach for my child. He has exhibited the skills of his profession as well as the humanity and discipline it takes to be a role model for our youth. The players have won over my heart. The amount of team cohesiveness and their ability to all be a part of the team without vanity, narcissism and ego running rampant is admirable. Not a common display by most teams at this level let alone in professional sports. They are fine players and are fine young men.

So, onward we go to Thursday and another test of abilities and character. I know that no matter the result on the scoreboard, they will be winners in my heart. Thank you Butler Bulldogs for restoring my faith in competitive sports. Thank you for sharing with me a wonderful season and bringing me to my feet again. Thank you, Gary, for the seat next to you- I love it for many reasons.

Thursday night, I will be ready to cheer. I will mean it and feel it- down to every goosebump on my arms!!

Go Dawgs!!

This is a shortened week and just a reminder that we will also be closed next week though April 4. This week will be closed after Thursday.

Have a wonderful week and a blessed Easter!

Menu:

Soups:

Split Pea with ham

Spicy Black bean

Chicken noodle

Italian Tortellini

Entrees:

Meatloaf

Ellie’s lemon Chicken

Couscous and Roasted spring vegetables

Quiches

Smashed white cheddar and sour cream potatoes

Crab Cakes

Chicken Salad

Egg Salad

Croissants, Scones, Cookies and other baked goods!

**A REMINDER: We will be closed from Friday, March 26-Monday, April 5. We will re-open on Tuesday,

April 6th and we will look forward to seeing you and welcoming Spring!!

I am amazed by the order of nature. I have the blessing of living amongst many living creatures and one of my favorite things to do is watch them all interact. Outside my house there is an order on land and in the air. The birds that frequent our feeders have a definite pecking order. The smaller ones are gather together and descend at once for a feeding frenzy. That lasts along with a cardinal or two and a robin and its mate until the blue jays or blackbirds arrive- then all birds disperse. The blue jays are only distracted when a hawk or owl return to the trees. Our outside cat, Midnight, sits and watches. She never attempts to catch or even bother the birds- she knows they are welcome and belong here. She does not, however, have the same respect for the poor field mice that happen to cross her path. They are often gifts left for me when I open the door- ugh!

Midnight begrudgingly shares her morning food with the raccoon that has taken up residence. He saunters up to the porch every morning when it is still a bit dark and together they have breakfast together. For many years we had a raccoon that we called “Old Gray” that would arrive each morning for food and share with our many outside cats. He would also take an occassional nap in the warm sun. Now “Old Gray” has passed as have all but one of the cats. Midnight has held on and is now joined with a new bandit eyed friend who we  have yet to name.

Our dogs- all six of them- have an order as well. Although tempting, I try not to mess with it to much. Not thrilled about being considered “one of the pack”, I am clearly the alpha dog. When I am not in the mix, the alpha is Hope. Maddie, our precious old girl was the alpha until she aged and became ill. She spends most of her day in the house with Duke, our chihuahua, and two cats. The dogs outside have an order as to who gets out the barn door first, who eats first and who is allowed to walk next to me when I am in the yard working.I love to just blend in and become invisible to see what each one does when they think I am not looking- it really is fascinating.

Charley, our newest dog, is a Blue Healer. His nature is to herd things- all things- and he does so with intent and tenacity. He first started out in the house as he had bi-lateral hip surgery and was recuperating. He tried to herd Maddie- she would not budge. Next was Duke and there were times we would find Duke in a corner afraid to move from where Charley had placed him! The cats would have nothing to do with his herding and soon learned what we all know- cats do as they please. Outside went Charley and his next targets were Hope, Lucy, and Fudge. No one seems to listen to Charley outside either and he becomes very cranky and frustrated- often how I feel with three teenagers!

The order of nature is so evident around this house. It really is comforting as it just continues and carries on even as pets pass on and are born. Soon Maddie will not be with us and as is tradition, we always allow another one of the oldest to come in the house. That will alter the order for certain and soon an entirely new one will appear. And on it goes.

I wish the order in other areas of my life were so predictable!!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!! PLEASE NOTE OUR TWO SPECIAL FOR THIS WEEK!!

Soups:

Tomato Roasted Red Pepper

Tuscan Tomato

Chicken Noodle

Spicy Black Bean

Potato Cheddar

Tortilla with Chicken

Entrees:

Baked Ravioli with Asparagus, Mushrooms, sundried tomatoes and three cheeses

Chicken Parmegiana

To The Last Drip Meatloaf

Quiches

Colcannon- a traditional casserole of cabbage, ham and buttery potatoes!!

Irish Soda Bread

Breadsticks, Baguettes and assorted baked goods…..

***Breakfast on Saturday- 8 a.m.-11 a.m.

Baked Oatmeal with warm Apple Compote

Croissants, Scones, and our Signature Sour Cream Coffee Cake!!

House Granola

My son is in New York right now for part of his spring break and I must say, I am jealous. Happy, as a Mom, that he is having a great experience….but wishing I were there with him. It doesn’t seem possible that I moved there, not much older than my son is now, and took on the Big Apple. As he walked around and explored the city this weekend, he sent texts and at each place I was able to immediately recall memories and pass along stories. Although he was born there, he has no recall at all of those few years he lived there as a child. However, now he will have some of his own memories and I am hoping, a taste of a different pace and life. Seems funny in a nice way that he is there, walking the same streets and riding the same buses and subways that he did as an infant- I don’t know, I just love when life brings us back around to things, people and places we think we have left forever.

Picking up and moving to NYC after I graduated from college was a huge step for me. After the excitement of jobs falling into place and what seemed to be a force pulling me in that direction, I was scared. Very scared. I never went to summer camps, never ventured too far from home and even the college I chose, DePauw, was a small and very safe cocoon. I hung up the phone one summer night in 1978 and told my Mom I was moving to New York. She was very excited but my Dad took some convincing;a lot of convincing.The fact that my first years salary as teacher combined with the position I took at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was less than the yearly rent I was to pay, could have been the source of some worry. But they let me go. They sent me on my way with the basic tools I needed, whatever furniture was in the storage room that older siblings hadn’t confiscated ( took a fold away cot for my bed, my dresser from 3rd grade that stil had bunny stickers on it, two chairs that were in my parents first apartment and exactly two knives, two forks and a few plates)and a security that I could come home anytime. Believe me, that thought crossed my mind more than few times those first two weeks! But they let me go…I know, I know, it is now that full circle I mentioned earlier.

I “let go” and my son is now in college, traveling the world, and beginning his life. My daughter is awaiting news this week of her own college experience and where that will be. I see ahead a few months and again, I will “let go”. Lots of mixed feelings to be sure. In another two years, I will have come full circle and my last child will be off to college. I will have entered another segment of my life where life itself brings you back around. My youngest wants to go to NYC for college….if that remains true, my journey of returning will truly be complete. Letting go and coming back. The one thing about change is you can always depend on it that it will happen.

I still wish I was looking at the Egyptian Wing with him, having a cannoli in Little Italy and walking through Central Park. But it is his time, his life…and I will love every single text I receive!!!!

Soups:

Tomato Roasted Red Pepper

New England Clam Chowder

Black Bean

Roasted Butternut Squash

Chicken Wild Rice and Mushroom

Entrees/sides

Spicy Thai Peanut Noodles with Roasted Chicken and snap peas

Crab Cakes with Waterfront Sauce

Baked Chicken with figs, capers and olives

Penne with mushrooms, spinach, pine nuts and a light lemon cream sauce

Pork tenderloin with dijon mushroom sauce

Pulled pork bbque

Whole quiches

Caprese salad

Signature Chicken Salad

Curried Chicken Salad

Quinoa and Roasted Veggie salad

Saturday Breakfast…..

Baked French Toast with Orange marmalade syrup and maple baked bacon

Croissants, Scones, Muffins, Housemade granola …..

This weeks blog is filled with news and invitations for you…here goes!

***We have an email newsletter that I would like for you to join. You may do so on the website or also email me and ask to be added. Now that I am 50 and so much more organized (ha) I will be doing my very best to send one out every month. It will have news of events etc. at To The Last Drop as well as recipes and fun cooking tips, discoveries… In addition, there will often be “specials” that will be offered as far as menu items, giveaways and discounts. So, please consider joining- it would be wonderful to have you.

***To The Last Drop will be closed on the following dates…. March 26-Tuesday, April 6 and also on May 10-May 23. We will be available by email and phone for your catering orders and event planning. However, the shop itself and any cuisine to go will not be available. Many apologies for any inconvenience this may cause and if we can assist in any way prior to these dates with your needs, let us know!

***We will be publishing all new menus by the end of this month. We have refreshed and added many new and delicious offerings! Our catering menus as well as menus for the Private Dinners will all be online- check the website for updates as to when  they will be posted.

*** I will be taking a trip to England in May (hence the closing of the shop for a week) I will be in London as well as Cotswold/Oxford. My son will be studying there for the month of May and we will be visiting him as well as doing some great sightseeing…. which of course, will involve lots of food!

It is rumored that English Cuisine leaves much to be desired but I intend to form my own opinion. However, I would also love your opinions and suggestions. It is my first time there and I would love any suggestions or recommendations for restaurants, menu items not to be missed and any fun and memorable stories from your travels. Upon my return I will post an email newsletter with my own reviews and travel stories. Email me or comment on this blog page to me- I will look forward to hearing from you. Any comments will be placed in a drawing for a cookbook that I will purchase when there!!

*** Our Saturday Morning Breakfasts are attended somewhat sporadically. Since I was asked to take down our banner on the front of the shop (and it was a very nice banner I will say) I know it is not serving as a reminder. So, I hope you will help and spread the word a bit and if you haven’t stopped in, please do join us for a warm and delicious breakfast to go or at our table. Each Saturday from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Check the website at “What’s Cooking” and see what we will be serving. If you bring a copy of this blog with you, your breakfast will be 50% off! Hope to see you!!!

Have a great week and enjoy the break from Snow. Although beautiful it was a bit much….don’t you think? Remember to comment to this blog and let me know your adventures in England and I will hope to see you on Saturdays!

Claudia

Soups:

Chicken and Orzo with Vegetables

Tomato Roasted Red Pepper

Chicken Wild Rice and Mushroom

Cream of Asparagus

Potato White Cheddar

Entrees/Sides:

Fettucini Alfredo

Chicken Marsala

Pulled Pork BBQue

Spicy Thai Peanut Noodles- vegetarian

Crab Cakes with Waterfront Sauce

Baked and Baked Again Potatoes

Spaghetti Squash

Caprese Salad

Artichoke and Mushroom Spread

Signature Shrimp Spread

SunDried Tomato Spread

Baked Goods: Breadsticks, muffins, baguettes, scones, criossants

Join Us For Breakfast at The Last Drop!! Saturdays 8 a.m.-11 a.m.

This Saturday we will be serving fresh baked Quiches- by the slice or whole.

Housemade Granola and Fresh Yogurt

Scones, Croissants and sticky Buns- all baked fresh

Each Saturday we offer fresh baked goods as well as one Special Breakfast Entree!

Take home or enjoy right here at our dining room table. There is complimentary coffee and also cocoa whenever it snows! So, join us for a cozy and nutricious morning that will warm your tummy and heart!