Another party? Yep, here we go again...

We are definitely making use of that outdoor kitchen! A week from tomorrow we're having a little birthday party for Wally. We're going to smoke a beef shoulder that we got on sale at Kroger. Neither of us have ever cooked one before but all recipes point toward low and slow for the directions. That works for us since we have that smoker out there. Daryl will probably do the cooking of the meat and I'll make the side dishes. He's going to bring a meat slicer so we can slice it real thin, like deli roast beef. Oh yeah!

Curt has already put his order in for squash squares and my fresh salsa. I'll probably make both of those and then some. I talked to Claudia yesterday and she said her and her husband will both be there. I haven't met him yet so I'm looking forward to that. She says he will love the place and she's probably right. It is really nice - I must say. I'm going to see if she'll bring her German potato salad - pretty darn good stuff!!

If we start getting ready now, maybe we'll have everything done by next weekend :) You know how that goes when you're trying to plan a party, the list never ends... clean the outhouse (I know that's first on y'alls list), get the paper products together, plan and purchase the food, clean off the porch in case it rains and to make room for the karaoke stuff, spray the dust and dirt off the plastic chairs, empty the ashtrays and refill with sand/dirt, put bags in the extra garbage cans and on and on. I'm sure I left out a bunch of stuff :)

You're welcome to come for the party, just let me know so I can arrange sleeping quarters :)

The swimmin hole Wally dug with the bull dozer still doesn't have water in it. He's getting three more billboard vinyls that have to be laid in before the water can be pumped to it. I can't wait to see it again, it's been 4 days since I was down there and from what I hear, much has changed. I think he said it is 104 x 55. Not bad, huh?  LOL There's even a tree hanging over so you can swing off a rope into the water. I don't see me doing that, but it's there if YOU want to...ha ha ha

We have dubbed it the North Pole Swimmin Hole because, like I mentioned in an earlier post, that water is ccccccooooolllldddd coming out of that creek and the swimmin hole is right near the natural spring. It will be a little warmer than the creek just because most of it is out in the sun but still...It's been so many years since I put on a bathing suit I'm not even sure I have one... well, an old pair of shorts and a tank top might have to suffice. I do need to get a pair of those water shoes though - anyone know where to find them other than the dreaded W? lol

We were at Pee Wee's the other night when Jr. and his wife, Chrissy, invited us over to dinner. Jr. was cooking omelette's and Chrissy said he knows what he's doing in the kitchen. Well, you know me, I heard a little challenge in there and just had to see whether it was true or not. Ha! Yeah, it was true alright. That was the best omelet I've ever had. Of course the eggs were fresh - I'm not sure anyone around here buys them from the store... and the ingredients were chopped perfectly (in my opinion) and seasoned just right. I don't know how he did it but the eggs were cooked very thin, the other stuff was heavily loaded in there and yet the eggs didn't tear at all. I think if I tried that, there were be a big old mess on the plate!

Their house is pretty cool. It's built into the side of the hill. They say this cuts down on the electric bill in summer and winter because the ground provides insulation. I don't know about all that but it was pretty cool. They have some absolutely beautiful cabinets in their kitchen. I think Wally said Jr. built them himself. They are cedar wood and go from floor to ceiling covering one whole wall. There are all different sizes but it doesn't look messy at all. He did a really good job because it looks just right to my eyes and you know how I'm not picky about stuff like that...

All in all we had a good night but we were ready to be home, sitting in our chairs, watching our shows, winding down for the day. It was nice not to have to do dishes either. I offered to do them for Chrissy but she refused quite adamantly. I don't know her that well so I didn't push it... lol  Gosh, that kind of makes me look forward to the kids coming up - I'll have twerps to do the dishes for me... ha ha ha ha ha

It finally rained a little bit when I got home last night. It wasn't pouring down rain but it was steady for about and hour or so. It started out as a sun shower, I love those, then the clouds moved in and darkened the sky. It was really pretty looking out the front door where the mist was rising on the mountains. It looks so peaceful and serene that you just don't want to stop staring out at it. Unfortunately there's always work to be done so I got at it.

I started a load of clothes and then cleaned the sink and toilet in the downstairs bathroom. I had to leave the tub and floor for the weekend - they just take too long for a weeknight chore, ya know? I shook out the kitchen rug (yes, we have one now) and swept the back porch steps. They really need sweeping every day but I really don't always have time to do it every day so at least a few times a week it gets done. I need to get out there and sweep both porches but there's no point in doing that if Wally's going to pressure wash them. Maybe now that the bull dozer work is coming to a close, he'll be able to do the pressure washing.

I bleached all the counter tops and the stove top, wiped down the cupboard doors on the bottom level and then started making dinner. It was one of those nights when I didn't have anything thawed out and didn't really have anything specific in mind. It doesn't happen often, but when it does it's annoying trying to come up with something. Tuna sandwiches, grilled cheese, Salmon patties, you know the routine - anything that doesn't require thawing... lol.

I decided on spaghetti. The meat wasn't thawed but we've all been there - just put it in the skillet on low and let it come apart. I used the jar sauce so I could save mine for when fall and winter come and we're wanting a really fresh tasting tomato sauce. Of course we used whole wheat noodles - thank you very much. I don't know about you but I have to add seasonings to the jar sauces. They just don't seem to have the taste I'm looking for. I usually add Italian Seasoning (it's like a combo of everything Italian), green peppers and onions, fresh minced garlic and sometimes crushed red peppers if it's too sweet. I had some of the fresh basil from the CSA basket so I chopped up a few leaves of that and added it too.

The German Queen tomatoes are turning red!!! woo hoo!! As big as they are, they'll be perfect for some super tasty tomato sandwiches in the next day or so. I can't wait to go pick them but you know it has to be the exact right time. They have to be as red as they can get without going so far that they begin to rot. If you have ever grown tomatoes, you know there's a very fine line. I'm ever so watchful to keep this from happening :)

I'm not sure if I updated you on my pickles or not. I wasn't really too pleased with them the first time I tried one. I opened another jar to have one with our roast beef sandwiches and it was awesome! I guess a few more days in the refrigerator is all they needed. They were kind of sweet when you first take a bite and then the full flavor hits all at once - tangy, dilly, salty, everything a pickle should be including the crunch. Now I wish I had made more when I had all those cucumbers available! I only have two more jars left and Neccy has already claimed one of them. I doubt she'll share with you but you're welcome to ask her... LOL now that's funny!

I'll be getting a surplus of jalapeno peppers in the next week or so. One of the guys from Pee Wee's has 10 plants and no idea what he's going to do with all those peppers. I know what to do with them, I'm going to pickle them... LOL  It's not the same recipe as the pickles, don't worry. This is just pickled jalapenos like you see in jars at the store. I don't even think vinegar is in the recipe. I've never made them before but like everything else I've said that about, there's a first for everything. I'll let you know how they come out. The recipe doesn't call for slicing them but I'm thinking they'll be easier to use if they're already sliced up in the jar.

I put them in soups, chili, deviled eggs, ham salad, taco meat, beans, pulled pork sandwiches, my gruel, etc. If you like jalapenos, you'll find many, many ways to use them. They keep for months in the refrigerator. Of course, I'll have to give a jar to the guy who is giving me the peppers :)  Lucky guy.

I found a recipe for an onion pie that I might try this weekend. What are you cooking? If you're cooking Lizzard's meatloaf, you won't be disappointed :) If you're cooking the Cottage Pie, you won't be disappointed either. Other than that - no guarantees ha ha!

I do guarantee it's Friday though and I will be cruising towards the cabin and my honey in the next hour. No chores tonight other than making supper and filling the bird feeders but those aren't really chores since I enjoy them so much. The little birds hang there in the air, wings just a flappin, waiting for me to give them their nectar. I'll sure be missing them when they make their trip south for the winter. Much like I miss all y'all only you didn't leave - I did :)

Kat, I hope you and Mike are doing well. I'm sure he's cooked up some yummy recipes for you (or maybe not for you but for him...lol). Please tell him hi for me and y'all take care.

If anyone happens to see Randy Davis, Bobby G., Shawna and Chris, please tell them all hi for me and let them know I'm doing just fine and loving every minute of being here.

Enjoy your weekend!!

"Nothing helps scenery like ham and eggs.” Mark Twain