As I planned our themed meal for the week, I saw our next stop was Seuss Landing… a colorful spot of whimsy beloved by my family, not so much for the thrills and chills, but more for the sense of goofiness we felt in that slightly off-balance island. I consulted recipes and wrote out menu ideas. I finally decided Roast Beast HAD to be on the table and I was craving the buffalo chicken tots served at Seuss Landing. While The Engineer is infamous for his simple eating habits, I knew I had at least one ally at the table. The Middle Son. He would appreciate the giant roast and smothered tots.
Then I remembered he worked that evening. I tried to reschedule, but between work and his other activities, his schedule was full. This meal was going to happen without him.
And my heart broke a bit.
I say it broke a bit because that rift already existed. The Oldest Son moved away a couple years ago. Soon after he left, I moved us from the bigger table for six to the kitchen table that held just four seats. I was unwilling to sit across from his empty chair. While I got used to the emptier house, I still looked at the extra chairs with wistfulness. Now I again had to plan my life around fewer people.
I tried to ignore that empty chair across from me as the three of us ate. We had a delightful time, the youngest happily soaking up all her parents’ attention for once, more than enough delicious food to go around, plenty of space on the table.
The Middle Son came home later that night, ready to devour whatever leftovers we had saved for him. I torched his crème brûlée as he heated his plate of food and rambled on about his workday. It wasn’t the same as sitting at the table with him, but he was home and fed and happy.
Now I’m beginning to feel joy in the empty spaces. I see the future in those empty seats. The future of jobs and families and friends. The future of my three children adventuring out and seeing the world, but also secure knowing they had a plate of food and a seat at my table.
Continuing our tour of Islands of Adventure in the Universal Orlando Resort, this week we visit Seuss Landing. We started with a couple cocktails, the Loose Goose Juice (something fruity) and the Canadian Moose (bourbon and ginger ale). The Engineer sampled the former while I had the latter. Neither of us had any desire to switch drinks. Our appetizer was Buffalo Chicken Tots. When I say “our” I mean just me. My companions had plain tots and cheesy tots. Main course was Roast Beast, Colorful Carrots, and Who Hash. My surprise favorite of the night was this hash! Who would’ve thought throwing in the sweet potatoes would add so much to this basic potato dish? Finally, we finished the meal with a plate of Truffula Fruits and a Beelzenut Brulee. Every bite delicious (except maybe those plain tots).
Menu:
Buffalo Chicken Tots (Crispy Crowns topped with Buffalo Chicken Dip and Melted Cheddar Cheese)
Roast Beast (Standing Rib Roast)
Colorful Carrots (Glazed Carrots)
Who Hash (Bacon, New Potatoes, Purple Sweet Potatoes, Green and Red Bell Peppers, and Red Onion)
Truffula Fruits (Purple Grapes, Kiwi, Raspberries, Mango, and Rambutan)
Beezlenut Brulee (Pecan Whiskey Maple Creme Brulee)
Recipes:
Standing Rib Roast: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/standing-rib-roast-recipe-1922485
The Marvel of the Ordinary Life 