Due to the threat of severe weather, the all-staff picnic was moved indoors to the Pub. When severe weather failed to manifest, we decided to sit outside, and I agreed to hold down a table while MBWF, C., and S. went through the line and grabbed food. My entire chest thudded with anxiety while I waited: There is something about abundance that produces a sensation of scarcity. When it was my turn I snagged a veggie burger, a scoop of couscous, a scoop of potato salad, a cookie, and a scoop of baked beans. We ate and talked (K. had joined us by now), comparing this staff picnic to the last staff picnic, comparing first jobs and last jobs, comparing ketchup and mustard and who prefers what. The revelation that my refrigerator contains not one single condiment beyond the soy sauce I use in just the one single recipe drew gasps from the crowd. Then S. went back inside and grabbed herself a cookie, plus one for me and one for MBWF. We wondered: Is this why MBWF hired an assistant after all?
July 23, 2008
Veggie burger with cranberry couscous, potato salad, baked beans, plus two cookies
Posted by Emily under Lunch | Tags: buffet and bar style, Flik, picnic |[8] Comments
July 23, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Omg. I love that Flik cranberry couscous beyond all reason. When I used to go to those student life meetings, my heart would sing when I saw that cranberry couscous was on offer. Yum, yum, yum.
Today for lunch I had: a tortilla filled with cheese, melted in the microwave (a quesadilla only in the loosest sense of the term), chocolate yogurt (the kind MBWF used to eat all the time–and maybe still does), a handful of Cheez-its (for an extra serving of dairy–calcium is important!), and a Diet Coke. I know you’re jealous of my excellent nutrition, but don’t hate, y’all.
July 23, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Cranberry and goat cheese salad, and vegetarian pannini, washed down with a liter of sparkling water, and finished-off with a double-shot of espresso.
Then I grazed the offices with candy in bowls when I returned to work.
July 23, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
July 23, 2008 at 8:53 pm
amy’s single serve roasted vegetable pizza. before discovering it i thought cheeseless pizza a sad, sad lie of a thing and did not understand why anyone would desire such a thing ever. now i just feel that way about all other cheeseless pizza.
July 23, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I always thought that having a full complement of condiments in one’s larder was a sign of adulthood and stability. As if to say “I will stay rooted to this place forevermore because if I moved I’d have to deal with all these little bottles.” I still feel a certain pride when my refrigerator door has some condiments–especially the more mysterious, ethnic jars of spicy whatnot–even though I really never use them. In fact I have a five-month-old fancy jar of olive tapenade growing mold but I like having it there because it says “I am a person who can whip up elegant hors d’oeuvres whenever I have Guests to Entertain.”
My sister has to have a box of Jiffy cornbread mix in her cupboard at all times, same thing, although perhaps less elegant.
July 24, 2008 at 2:23 am
I require multiple cans of tomatoes, so I think I know what you mean.
July 24, 2008 at 3:03 am
Farmer’s market today, so had a fresh apricot, some blackberries, and the usual hummus and pita, and a small greek yogurt with honey. I bought a bunch of potatoes, zucchini, summer squash, a small eggplant, and some green peppers for $3!
July 24, 2008 at 2:52 pm
First tomatoes from our plants. Four days away in Seattle and Couer de Alene to come back to rosy blushed tomatoes. We cut thick slices which were savored like the finest food and it did not disappoint reminding once again how terrible fruits and veggies are in stores.
I’ll “cell” you Emily. LOL