Doughnuts
I drove by a local doughnut shop in Cranston yesterday morning and decided on a whim to pick up a dozen to bring into the office.
My co-workers were half-grateful and half-resentful.
Moonie was entirely grateful.
food
The Killdevils at Oak Hill Tavern
Oh boy! The Killdevils played on Sunday at Oak Hill Tavern. These guys haven’t gotten together to play in so long that Moonie and I just had to trek down to North Kingstown for this show.
First we giggled at the sign. The space in “Killdevils” made it look more like a directive than a band name.
Then Moonie checked out the Killdevils’ instruments – you know, to make sure they were safe for musicians Chris Monti and Jake Haller, not because he liked to stand on them and pretend he was surfing.
He’s a giver like that.
Ice Cream
I got a little jealous seeing people all around Providence strolling with ice cream cones, so when we got home, I decided to make one of my own for me and Moonie to share. I gave it to him to hold for just a minute.
When I turned back, I was greeted with this sight:
Moonie says it was “too big” and that now it’s “Moonie-sized,” which means just right.
Thanks for saving me the last bite, little dude.
Thai Picnic
While enjoying today’s beautiful weather, Moonie and I decided to pick up some delicious takeout at Bee’s Thai Cuisine and have ourselves a yummy Thai picnic at India Point Park.
It sure was windy there. Poor Moonie was in danger of blowing away but gamely paused for a photo.
The food was delicious – Bee’s mixes sweet things like mango and pumpkin into spicy things like curry for interesting flavor creations – but Moonie was less interested in the vittles (except for splashing around in the little container of cucumber sauce a bit for fun) and very, very interested in my Thai ice tea.
He only got a sip, though. The last thing the world needs is a hyped-on-caffeine Moonie.
Sweenor’s Chocolates
Moonie was kind of bummed there weren’t chocolates on his pillow (it was his first hotel experience and he’d imagined all kinds of luxuries the Airport Sleep Inn just can’t provide), and I was hungry, so we had a little 3 a.m. snack a few hours ago. Here you go, Moonie, chocolate on the pillow. Just don’t actually smear it on there.
The candy is from Sweenor’s, a Rhode Island company started more than 50 years ago by a schoolteacher looking to make extra money during World War II. The company is still run by Mr. Sweenor’s family today, and this particular candy bar was sold to raise funds for the Special Olympics. Great cause, great chocolate, and happy Moonie.
Moonie & Ellie’s Bakery
A few years ago, Ellie’s Bakery opened in Providence, diagonally across the street from where I was then working.
This made me very, very happy.
I don’t work nearby anymore, but I’ll stop in for occasional treats and sandwiches. I credit Ellie’s with being the first place to introduce me to frozen macarons (they make non-frozen, “regular” macarons as well). For frozen ones, they start with the little round and often brightly colored meringue-like cookie outsides, but instead of filling them with buttercream or ganache, they fill them with ice cream. This results in the smallest, cutest, and most delicious ice cream sandwiches you’ll ever see, and Ellie’s peddles them from a special little cart on warm days.
Now that it’s finally warm again, Ellie’s tell-tale cart appeared at a recent Cinco de Mayo celebration. Moonie enjoyed his introduction to Ellie’s frozen macarons, which in honor of the occasion came in dulce de leche and Mexican spiced chocolate flavor options.
Moonie was so excited, he couldn’t even stand up. He just wanted to lie there with his frozen macarons.
Whereas I just wanted to eat them.
Moonie Makes Chili
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, Moonie brings you the following recipe.
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
2 TB chili powder (note: original recipe called for 1 TB but it wasn’t enough)
1 chopped onion
Can(s) of beans of your choice (note: we used kidney, black, and pinto. I like my chili very beany, and Moonie loves any opportunity to tell fart jokes!)
16-oz can of stewed tomatoes (note: some brands only come 14.5-oz-sized, so I supplement with a couple ounces of tomato sauce as needed, or add a tiny can of tomato paste if I really feel like a strong tomato base)
Also: seasoning of your choice (we usually line up cumin, onion powder, dried parsley, and cilantro and toss in some of each to taste)
First, brown the beef. Season with salt/pepper as desired.
Then, chop and add the onion. (Poor Moonie. He has little tears on his face from that part.)
Next, add the stewed tomatoes. (“Whee!” Moonie reports from his ride on the can opener.)
Add the little can of tomato paste (optional – and another “whee” opportunity for Moonie).
Pastiche
Pastiche in Providence makes delicious homemade treats, especially when it comes to fruit tarts. Moonie will happily attest to this, whether I want him to or not.
Back off, little troll. MINE.
Trader Joe’s
I needed some groceries.
Moonie needed to check out the flower bouquets.
moonieandme 