April 5, 2010

  • A Perfect Day For A Get-Together


    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    I can tell I have to get used to the Beast making his trips to visit with all his trees once again.  For the sixth or seventh day in a row, he was outside bright and early inspecting each and every one of them.  It will get worse once they start fruiting.  He's also concerned about the dogwood trees that just have NOT burst into bloom like they should have.  Well, I didn't think they should have but he measures it against all the mature trees in the area that are just loaded with blooms right now.

    At least he stayed out from under my feet while I made up the bed, dust mopped the floors and cleaned the coffee and end tables off.  They have glass inserts on their surfaces so I had to take some Windex to them.  I cleaned off the glass in the storm doors where Baron's nose and paw prints were smeared.  Worse than a kid, I swear.

    I then turned my attention to the food preparation.  I figured out just what had to be started cooking and when in order for it to all be ready on time.
    Even though I was making sweet potatoes, I decided today that I just HAD to make mashed potatoes.  Let's face it.  *I* love 'em and so do a lot of others.  But everything went smoothly except for the Princess getting here early enough for the sweet potato casserole to get done.  As it was, she forgot the pineapple and it boils down to being MY fault.  I KNEW I should have called to remind her.....and to make sure she came early enough but I knew they were going to Johnnycakes grandparents. 

    Turns out that, this time, the grandmother cooked and Johnnycakes (always the compassionate one) ate there.  Especially since his mother never showed up (and these are HER parents!)  Of course, with a working chicken farm, I'm sure there are a lot of chores that never end so...who knows?

    The day was absolutely perfect!  Sunny, clear and about 82 degrees made for a day you couldn't order and have turn out better.  So dinner was glazed, sliced ham with sweet potatoes (and homemade cinnamon butter), mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots), green bean casserole and hot dinner rolls.  I also made the chicken and noodle casserole for the babies but....Tara came sans boys.  I told her that I knew Geronimo wouldn't eat ham at his age so the casserole I figured he would like.  She did take about half of it home with her.

    When Johnnycakes got here, he tried the sweet potatoes and the cinnamon butter and told me he really liked it.  He also had a bit of ham and something else but I don't remember what it was.  I was just a touch too busy trying to get everything done and then eat something myself while it was all hot. 

    Chewlee looked adorable but was one cranky baby.  If she tripped and fell, she cried like she was really hurt.  I looked at the Princess and said, *She hasn't napped today, has she?*  The Princess admitted she hadn't and said Chewlee wouldn't lay down for one.  She actually fell asleep for a bit (but not long) in her high chair.  She is big enough to eat at the table but when she's here at my house, she LIKES the high chair most of the time.

    We put on another Harry Potter movie to watch.  She sure loves them, almost as much as she loves her Godzilla movies.  She sat quietly (due to lack of nap I think) and watched it intently.  This time it was *The Prisoner of Azkaban* episode*.

    About the time the baby and I retreated to my computer room for Harry Potter, Tara had put together her *doggie bag*.  She DID take home most of the chicken and noodle casserole for Geronimo.  She also (bless her heart) took several of the sweet potatoes a big glob of the cinnamon butter, a lot of the ham and some of the green bean casserole.

    The Princess didn't take anything home with her because she will eat dinner with us after work tomorrow.  I can send a plate home with her for Johnnycakes then and it will all work out great.

    Chewlee loved her bunny.  But she was also excited that the Princess had let her make colored eggs yesterday and she brought those over so I could see them.  They had planned on letting Chewlee and the boys search for the eggs and some plastic ones filled with candy but, oh well, they lost out.  The Princess wanted to go home early because she wasn't feeling well (I think it's THAT time of month or almost).  She just wanted to get comfy and lay down in her own bed.

    The Beast and Johnnycakes talked guns and hunting and we found out that Johnnycakes can not only field dress a deer but cut it up into workable sections and pack it up in the cooler within 30 minutes.  I think that's why his dad takes him along.    He said he usually gets the meat cut up into steaks and then the rest of the meat is made into ground meat and sausage.  Tara knows where a place is located not far from the house where that's all they do.  They cut and prepare deer meat in season.  Looks like our great white hunters may be all set now.  The Beast wants to check out some of the various areas to decide which he wants to try out once the season starts.  Hurrah!  Something to keep him busy and away from home for a few hours.  *Grin*

    Well, time to get this posted.  I hope you all had a wonderful day full of good food and company.  Love you all and have a great day.