“So remember, every picture tells a story, don’t it
Every picture tells a story, don’t it…” – Rod Stewart

Yesterday morning’s “Photo Friday” got elbowed aside by more serious matters this week. But “Photo Saturday” is still an option, so here are a few images from the past few days that I am sure you will enjoy.

First, Rebekah and I tried out a new restaurant Thursday evening. We drove, on a friend’s recommendation, over to Bunn, where we had made reservations at “Rustic Roots;” it turned out to be a good choice. The eatery – or should I say “Fine Eatery” – lived up to the hype and we enjoyed a most excellent meal.

Our small plate – shared – comprised four remarkable deviled eggs (above). They were without a doubt the most delicious in my 48 years of sampling deviled eggs (that even includes Thanksgiving with Rebekah’s family in rural Georgia, and those folk know how to devil their eggs!).

Next, we both enjoyed likely the best Caesar Salad we have ever ordered, anywhere or at any time.

The printed menu includes several inviting dishes, but we both ordered our entrée from the evening’s extensive “featured” selection.

Rebekah selected the beef-tips (fillet) in gravy with mashed potatoes. She loved it. I chose a pasta dish where the sauce evidently involved heavy cream and the meatballs were made from tender steak. The dish was flavorful, expertly prepared and – like Rebekah’s beef-tips, perfectly presented.

Finally, we shared a home-made apple tart topped with ice-cream and whipped cream. The dessert was well crafted and exactly as described, but a little too sweet for me, so I was grateful for my serving of French-pressed coffee on the side.

It is almost impossible to compare restaurants, because the good ones are all unique, but I would absolutely put Rustic Roots in the same category as some of my favorite venues like Daniel’s in Wilson, On the Square in Tarboro, Farm Table in Wake Forest and Greenville’s innovative Native Fine Diner.

If you’re wondering about how it is that I find commonality in such an admittedly disparate collection of dining experiences, it’s because they all score high vis-à-vis attributes such as originality, quality of ingredients, flavor, preparation, care for detail, service, atmosphere and presentation. So thanks, Rustic Roots, for a really good first impression.

Tree-felling and more:

The video I have included here (which has to be played at full volume to be appreciated) features part of a huge tree coming down behind our neighbor’s house.

The tree probably stood a good 80-feet and it took the crew a little more than two full days (this is the afternoon of Day Two) to dismantle and remove the entire behemoth. The limb in this video clip was one of the smaller sections, but it sounds like it hit something pretty hard when it landed, and the noise is impressive.

The balance of the photographs include David and Geoffrey (David is “the best big brother ever” to his force-of-nature four-year-old sibling), then Max enjoying one of his favorite spots, Rebekah’s pile of books ready for the women’s Bible study, and more from the restaurant in Bunn.

Life can be challenging and even excruciatingly difficult, but it is also full with beautiful moments, and some of them are picture-perfect. Perfect or not, it is good to take pause once a week and to be grateful.

I know I am – DEREK