Pauseforamoment

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Today we have been married for three years. I can scarcely remember the time we were not married; my life is so full and rich and complete with him and I am so thankful to have him by my side.

He loves me completely; I am in awe of how much. We have grown together past the fluff and bubble of the first romantic flush, delicious though that feeling is. Our love is deeper, richer, stronger and I believe we have found deep places in each other and have bound our hearts together more tightly.

We believe in one another; he brings out the best in me not just through his love but through his probing of my heart, his leadership and the strength that God has put in him.

I know that my love and humour and ability to find laughter through the pain has brought healing and strength in him. I have never been one to keep my mouth shut, although I am learning wisdom in this, and I believe it has done good things in him. Neither of us are content with being average. We know that destiny comes through perseverance and persistance, and we will not let the other give in to character weaknesses. I value that. This is a love that transcends emotion and is growing into something deep and strong.

I love that although we are celebrating our anniversary with a Japanese meal, our focus at present is far more on our ministry in Cambodia next week. He has to work late, and will probably be tired tonight, but that is ok. We are romantic, but focussed, and have learnt that true romance is always tempered with reality. Romance comes not through the celebration, but through those moments of giving, loving, serving one another, putting the other first.

I am so happy to be with him.

Last night hubs and I went here for dinner. We had to book quite a while back, and needed to use a voucher we were given early this year, and the evening coincidently falls close to our anniversary, next week. We will go out then, too, but not as fancypants as Jackson’s.

I wanted to write about it because it turned out to be such a funny evening. I, of course, took photos of all the food, because I am addicted to interesting food. Unfortunately it was a bit too dark for the pictures to work with my phone camera. After the glass of Veuve, I started with green pea soup, with crispy egg and Iberica ham. It was delicious, and amazing looking, as always.

For the main course, we both wanted to try the pigeon breast, and had a minor scuffle over who would get to order it (we like to get different dishes so we can taste each other’s food). The other option we both liked was the duck. I won, the pigeon came to me. I’ve never tried pigeon before.

Well, the plate arrived and there was this bird. It was sectioned, but the two little legs were sticking up on either side of the plate, with the claw-like feet still attached.

But wait, there’s more.

Above the feet and breast was the head, with the beak and the little eyes closed. I’m not sure what my face did, but I knew immediately I could not eat this dish. I have this weird thing where I can actually think myself sick, and the strangest things can set it off, like a smell that no-one else finds unusual. I could feel myself starting to shudder, and my lovely husband immediately swapped plates with me, even though the duck dish looked completely delectable.

It was.

It was bathed in a delicious orange sauce (Cointreau) and tiny bright green broad beans scattered on the plate. It was amazing, as Jackson’s food always is. The pigeon dish, however, was unusual. We both love to experiment with new flavours, but despite the truffles, the flavour was – strange. I don’t think we will repeat this menu choice.

After a while, we started making jokes that probably only we will find funny. Even today, when we saw a bird, we would both crakc up as we thought of those little legs pointing skywards and that head!

Dessert was amazing – truffle icecream with raspberry and dark chocolate-filled spring rolls. Another Jackson’s winner.

We declined coffee, stuffed to the gills and came home to recline on the sofa, watching some of the opening ceremony.

Tonight I am cooking for our Mus1im friends. We’re having lamb shanks cooked in white wine with a hint of orange and cinnamon for five hours, roasted smash potatoes, green beans, and baked chocolate fondants for pudding.

Not quite pigeon (with legs and head) but I think it should be nice.