Birthday happy fun time
So I celebrated another birthday at the beginning of the month. A couple more and I'll be half a century old.
But not quite yet.
Since we live in unhappy unfun times, I have celebrated my birthday over the month with a couple people here and then a couple people there. I've cooked inordinate amounts of food for a small amount of people, so I had leftovers for a solid week.
All in all, not a bad way to spend the summer in light of current events.
Me and Nick on a lovely birthday dinner.
First off, Nick took me out for my birthday. This may come as a shock, but this is the first time someone I've dated or been in a relationship with has actually taken me out for my birthday, unprompted or otherwise. Yes, I'm 48. [laughs]. Nick picked a lovely French restaurant with outdoor seating, a great wine selection and simply delicious food. I got the pork chop, he got the rainbow trout and we shared a blueberry peach tart in a crossisant filling for dessert. It was amazing, and I enjoyed every pound of butter. God Bless French food!
There was an Aloha theme. This should not surprise anyone that knows my taste in shirts.
So later in the month I got a pineapple cake and delicious Aloha-themed sugar cookes from my ex-niece, Livy, who happens to already have her own bakery store and business at the ripe age of 24 years old. She's pretty amazing. I did a combined birthday with my neighbor Paul, who also has a birthday this month. The bakery goods, unsurprisingly, were amazing.
My meat babies!
I've had many meals to celebrate Birthday Month(tm). As you can see here, I recently picked up a 14lbs pork butt (tee hee, butt!) and a 13.5 lbs beef brisket. Since I've never smoked a full-sized brisket before, I figured it would be a fun smoked birthday treat to myself.
Love the meat!
So after 18 hours, I have to say my first full-sized beef brisket turned out pretty well. It was very smoky, moist and extremely tender. I absolutely loved it. There were a few things I would have done differently, but overall I'm glad it turned out as well as it did! I ended up eating beef brisket every day, literally, for the next week. It didn't bother me at all!
Guster is a cuddly, sweet, and playful dog.
Guster and I have also celebrated a year together now. I just can't imagine having this little joyful bugger around. He's the best and keeps my spirits up. Also, he's a clown and a hoot.
The SKoC - 2020 Season
So despite all the crazy, we did manage to have an abbreviated softball season this summer starting at the beginning of July. Pretty strict rules, masks on both on and off the field, and you can't hang out in the dug outs and must spread out six feet or further from your teammates when off the field. We've managed to make it work and it has been a good, albeit short season. We only have one more weekend of games and then playoffs after that. I've been playing in my league since... 2006? 2007? It's been a long time and it's been great fun.
I can't believe the summer is almost over. With social distancing, no travel, and things shut down it feels like it never happened!
But not quite yet.
Since we live in unhappy unfun times, I have celebrated my birthday over the month with a couple people here and then a couple people there. I've cooked inordinate amounts of food for a small amount of people, so I had leftovers for a solid week.
All in all, not a bad way to spend the summer in light of current events.
Me and Nick on a lovely birthday dinner.
First off, Nick took me out for my birthday. This may come as a shock, but this is the first time someone I've dated or been in a relationship with has actually taken me out for my birthday, unprompted or otherwise. Yes, I'm 48. [laughs]. Nick picked a lovely French restaurant with outdoor seating, a great wine selection and simply delicious food. I got the pork chop, he got the rainbow trout and we shared a blueberry peach tart in a crossisant filling for dessert. It was amazing, and I enjoyed every pound of butter. God Bless French food!
There was an Aloha theme. This should not surprise anyone that knows my taste in shirts.
So later in the month I got a pineapple cake and delicious Aloha-themed sugar cookes from my ex-niece, Livy, who happens to already have her own bakery store and business at the ripe age of 24 years old. She's pretty amazing. I did a combined birthday with my neighbor Paul, who also has a birthday this month. The bakery goods, unsurprisingly, were amazing.
My meat babies!
I've had many meals to celebrate Birthday Month(tm). As you can see here, I recently picked up a 14lbs pork butt (tee hee, butt!) and a 13.5 lbs beef brisket. Since I've never smoked a full-sized brisket before, I figured it would be a fun smoked birthday treat to myself.
Love the meat!
So after 18 hours, I have to say my first full-sized beef brisket turned out pretty well. It was very smoky, moist and extremely tender. I absolutely loved it. There were a few things I would have done differently, but overall I'm glad it turned out as well as it did! I ended up eating beef brisket every day, literally, for the next week. It didn't bother me at all!
Guster is a cuddly, sweet, and playful dog.
Guster and I have also celebrated a year together now. I just can't imagine having this little joyful bugger around. He's the best and keeps my spirits up. Also, he's a clown and a hoot.
The SKoC - 2020 Season
So despite all the crazy, we did manage to have an abbreviated softball season this summer starting at the beginning of July. Pretty strict rules, masks on both on and off the field, and you can't hang out in the dug outs and must spread out six feet or further from your teammates when off the field. We've managed to make it work and it has been a good, albeit short season. We only have one more weekend of games and then playoffs after that. I've been playing in my league since... 2006? 2007? It's been a long time and it's been great fun.
I can't believe the summer is almost over. With social distancing, no travel, and things shut down it feels like it never happened!