Night of the Shirt

Me, Dayle, and Allison: Understated Beauty

So you know that female/male thing that happens with animals? Where the male of the species is the more noticeable one in order to attract the female? The male is the one sporting the beautiful colours and the eye catching physical attributes? Well this weekend it happened at my house. The women looked beautiful, as women usually do, in understated elegance.

Arnie, on the inside of Ken's Shirt

But the guys...!

You will remember Ken and Dayle (see At Last!). Ken, my surrogate brother, arrives in a beautiful shirt by Robert Graham that he bought by himself. A pleasing geometric pattern with contrasting fabric on the inside cuffs and collar. AND an embroidered portrait of Arnold Schwarzenegger on the inside back collar. AND signed by the designer himself. Perfect Man point!

The Hubby, Ken, and Peter in their Shirts

Peter is also wearing a beautiful and statement making shirt. Peter and Allison are new friends. Ken and Dayle introduced us likely thinking that we'd have at least one thing in common and that's that Peter and Allison have a Beamer in their lives too. There's not much talk about our special kids this night. Too much to say about the Shirts! The guys are talking clothes. They're talking designers. Am I dreaming?! Peter doesn't look too happy with the conversation. I think he'd rather be skiing. But, remember Peter, it doesn't matter how you feel, it's how you look. And you look good in your Shirt!



The Hubby also looks very good in his Shirt. Although he would look good in anything (just softening the blow that's to come, maybe not right away, but you know that it will come). The Hubby gets a half point here. Let me explain why. When a Perfect Man point is earned in this area the guy has fulfilled the following criteria:

1. Decides HIMSELF that he needs a new shirt (nope);
2. Decides HIMSELF which store(s) he should shop at (nope);
3. Picks out HIMSELF what shirts to try on (partially);
4. Wades through all the feedback from the salesperson and any support people he has brought along and decides HIMSELF which shirt he looks good in (partially);
...AND, most importantly...
5. Actually LOOKS GOOD in his choice (yes definitely)

Moroccan Chicken

This night I make Moroccan Chicken with Eggplant, Tomatoes, and Almonds with couscous. This is a delicious dish that is redolent with the flavours of north Africa: cumin, turmeric, ginger, fennel, and coriander.










For dessert there is Raspberry Cake with Marsala served with creme fraiche and raspberries.

Fresh coriander (aka cilantro)

It's always a little nerve wracking cooking for people whom you don't know very well yet. You can ask ahead of time if your guests have any food allergies and/or dislikes. People will usually tell you the big stuff, like an allergy to nuts or shellfish or if they're vegetarian or hate fish. It's not as certain that they'll tell you about the little things they don't like, like raisins, or olives, or capers, or coconut. It's a dilemma for those with a "sensitive palate". What's s/he to say? List off a LONG list of disliked foods and possibly be viewed as a Picky Eater? Coriander is one of the little things that might be on someone's unexpressed dislike list. Coriander is a main flavour component of Moroccan Chicken. Although I love coriander I've come to know that people either love it or hate it. And I mean HATE it. It must be like an allergy or something that their body is physically repulsed by it.

Luckily everyone this night seems to like coriander AND Moroccan Chicken. A fitting and flavourful tribute to the Night of the Shirt!