Ancient Chinese Secret ... We're Open on Easter

Slept in until after 8am again. This time, however, Mindy was already up and downstairs with coffee started. That might happen 3 or 4 times a year. I must’ve been really tired. It looked like a damp and dreary day in the offing, the skies gray and the streets wet from a gentle rain. The only consolation being that it was 51 degrees. I walked Eiknarf while the coffee finished brewing. I didn’t bother with an umbrella and consequently got more than a little wet.

Mindy asked what time I finally came to bed. She must’ve been out cold. Told her that it wasn’t too long after she headed up. We sipped coffee and then hid just two eggs we filled with cash for the kids. They wouldn’t be home until later that evening but wanted that taken care of early on.

We didn’t have much if anything planned until heading to her mom’s at 330pm. And with the weather being like it was, neither of us had much motivation. Around 10am Mindy headed back up to bed again. About the same time, I did a stretch and then dressed for a run. By then the rain had all but ended but the clouds lingered behind. And because it was 51 degrees, I didn’t bother wearing long johns or hand and ear covers. Felt freer, lighter. Before heading out, I went upstairs to alert Mindy of my whereabouts. I lifted the pug back into bed too.

Like most Sunday’s, I ran just three miles. Felt good. Got back home around 1045am. Aside from getting showers, we didn’t do much of anything over the course of the next couple hours. Around 1230pm, I suggested we head out to lunch. At that point neither one of us had anything to eat. Cognizant of the Easter holiday, we weren’t too sure what if anything would be open. I offered up The Big Fat and Mindy concurred. If we found it closed, we simply venture on elsewhere until we found something that suited our fancy.

Despite an ‘open seven days a week’ sign in the window, the Big Fat was closed. We headed east on Fishinger Rd. to Tremont Rd. As we passed a desolate Tremont Center, I suggested the former Ding Ho, or Dragon Palace. Mindy liked that idea too. Chinese restaurants are almost always opened. Just the talk of food had both of our tummy’s growling. We showed up at the Dragon Palace near 1pm. As hoped, their open sign was illuminated and flashing!

Like our last visit in February, we were their only customer. Same server, too. Very pleasant and attentive. We ordered within minutes. Mindy ordered something different than before – fried rice with beef, chicken , pork and shrimp. I ordered the War Sui Gai. And we both ordered won-ton soup and an egg roll. The soup arrived first and it was really good. Always is. The egg roll was super good, too. Mindy says they’re the best anywhere.

Mindy’s entrée arrived well before mine, which is odd. Looked and smelt terrific. Of course it didn’t help that I was so darn hungry. My entrée arrived a few minutes later. Mindy slowed down to wait for my entrée to show up. Might’ve been the best War Sui Gai ever. And there was enough to feed at least two people, and probably three. I was able to eat only about a 1/3 of what they served me. Mindy about half hers. There for about 45 minutes, we got our leftovers boxed to go.

We talked about heading across the street to Targhetto to get more Easter stuff but on closer inspection we could see that it was closed. Not a car in the lot. We headed for home arriving near 2pm. Mindy headed upstairs for a nap while I cuddled up in the family room chair with my book. I figured I might read until sleep came over me. Worked like a charm. Slowly but surely by eyes got super heavy and soon I was out. Slept until 310pm. Headed up stairs soon after to wake Mindy knowing that she wanted to leave for her mom’s around 330pm. We both did a quick brush up, Mindy citing that better sleep than she got all night.

As we prepared to leave, we opted to take and deliver Landon and Rocky’s Easter baskets on our way. I sent Lindsey a text letting her know that we were on our way. Left the house at 320pm. We decided last second to take Eiknarf too. She was very happy to be traveling. Lindsey came out to greet us at the car and to get the two baskets. Without much fanfare we were finally on our way to Gloria’s.

Arrived at Gloria’s near 345p. Joe, Craig & Jeff, Jodie &Larry already there. Been a while since we had a formal sit down dinner there. In fact, I’m guessing it was TG. Of course we were there for Xmas and then Bella’s adoption day event too, not to mention dropping off and picking up the pug for our most recent HV trip.

Still waiting on Pat & Mel, Lindy, Julie & Katie, Missy and the girls. Todd was on duty. Our contribution was a cheese and pickle tray. All the others arrived in due time and soon we were gathered for dinner. As usual, the options were plenty. There was chicken, ham, a macaroni salad, au gratin potatoes, corn pudding, cucumber salad, and much, much more. I was careful not to overdo it. Everything was tasty and delicious.

After dinner, a few of us spent some time outback. We were blessed with some late afternoon/early evening sunshine. Several folks went on a neighborhood stroll while the rest of us lounged in the livingroom.

Come 6pm, we were expecting our children to arrive anytime. I think it was about 620p when they finally showed up. Soon after they arrived we returned to the table for desert – icebox cookies and strawberry flan cake. Yum! I had icebox cookies. By the time desert was finished, it was well after 7pm and time to organize ourselves for home. The kids needed showers and Monday was return to school day for both the kids and Mindy after a week off. Before we left, Gloria gave the kids Easter baskets.

Arrived home between 730-8pm. I asked Bella to walk the pug while we carried everything inside. As soon as we were settled inside, we had the kids hunt the two eggs we hid earlier that morning. Jacob was to find the black one, Bella the dark purple egg. Other than where they were hidden, not sure the big deal since they both contained the same thing - $10. We had them hid rather well and it took them about ten minutes to find them. Neither was too excited with the $10.  We try. Of course, we had Easter baskets for them too.

I soon changed into my PJs then tuned to the final two hours of The Bible. Once again, Mindy cringed at the site and sound. Had Bella citing how sick it was for me to watch something like that. The producers did a good job conveying the passion – the story. Mindy went as far as to move her laptop to the island so she couldn’t see the TV. She and Bella headed to bed around 10p. I wasn’t too far behind, maybe 1030pm. Unfortunately, I ate too much candy during our mini Easter celebration. I was paying for it, lying there in bed feeling wired. Took a while to fall asleep.