Down at the Sunset Grill...
Bailed on the SAPA picnic to spend some family time. June is a busy month for both arbiter_of_cool and me-Father's Day is right around the same time as my mom's & his dad's birthday-so we decided to start making good on our promise of family visits. Finished watching the rest of "Harsh Realm" on Friday night, then hit the grocery store on our way to my folks' Texoma ranch. He has now had several opportunities to see where my silliness comes from, and he's not showing any signs of heading for the hills, so that is all to the good. Seriously, my folks really like him and he seems pretty unfazed by the whole experience.
I dubbed the visit "Parents' Day," as I promised Mom a brunch for Mother's Day, and we opted to celebrate Father's Day with Dad a bit early. I created several custom menus (3 brunch and 5 dinner) from which to choose. Dad chose Comfort Food, and Mom chose the Blue Moon Brunch. Comfort Food featured Emeril's father's meatloaf-which I enjoyed, even though meatloaf has always been one of my least favorites-with Hash Brown Potato Casserole (like at Cracker Barrel) and Broccoli Rice Casserole as sides. Oh, and easy peasy Dump Cake for Dessert. My favorite, though, was the Blueberry French Toast, with a side of Gingered Fruit and some ham slices to round out the menu. (I'll post the recipes tonight or tomorrow, for those who are interested.)
Though I'm still dubious about some of his cooking experiments (and rightfully so, I think), Arbiter does make a pretty good sous chef. I have come to realize that I love menu planning and cooking, but I rarely have enough energy to do that and clean up, too. Hooray for help!
Before the cooking/feeding frenzy, we spent some time on the back porch just watching the dozen or so hummingbirds dive and dip. Later, we watched "Happy Feet," (OK, Dad went to bed early and isn't that into movies anyway) and Arbiter didn't tease me too badly for copious *pengiesquee!* (hey, at least I'm cute).
Note to self: Find a schmoobly pengie icon or two. I have pengie of cute-thanks, minirth-and I have Badtz Maru, but I saw several shots from the movie that would be perfect and *squee-worthy*
More of the same on Sunday, though we made an outing to the Buncombe Creek marina (woo!). Got home in time to watch movies with sashastarchaser and antmanx. Not necessarily a productive weekend, but a relaxing one. Now to plan the East Texas invasion to see his folks (I have once again offered my culinary services, just in case). June will be busy with other friends' birthdays and a bachelorette party... but not unmanageably so. This is all to the good, IMHO.
It's just nice to have my life back, and be able to spend time with Arbiter, too. I had almost forgotten what it was like when we both weren't brain dead. Aaah.
I dubbed the visit "Parents' Day," as I promised Mom a brunch for Mother's Day, and we opted to celebrate Father's Day with Dad a bit early. I created several custom menus (3 brunch and 5 dinner) from which to choose. Dad chose Comfort Food, and Mom chose the Blue Moon Brunch. Comfort Food featured Emeril's father's meatloaf-which I enjoyed, even though meatloaf has always been one of my least favorites-with Hash Brown Potato Casserole (like at Cracker Barrel) and Broccoli Rice Casserole as sides. Oh, and easy peasy Dump Cake for Dessert. My favorite, though, was the Blueberry French Toast, with a side of Gingered Fruit and some ham slices to round out the menu. (I'll post the recipes tonight or tomorrow, for those who are interested.)
Though I'm still dubious about some of his cooking experiments (and rightfully so, I think), Arbiter does make a pretty good sous chef. I have come to realize that I love menu planning and cooking, but I rarely have enough energy to do that and clean up, too. Hooray for help!
Before the cooking/feeding frenzy, we spent some time on the back porch just watching the dozen or so hummingbirds dive and dip. Later, we watched "Happy Feet," (OK, Dad went to bed early and isn't that into movies anyway) and Arbiter didn't tease me too badly for copious *pengiesquee!* (hey, at least I'm cute).
Note to self: Find a schmoobly pengie icon or two. I have pengie of cute-thanks, minirth-and I have Badtz Maru, but I saw several shots from the movie that would be perfect and *squee-worthy*
More of the same on Sunday, though we made an outing to the Buncombe Creek marina (woo!). Got home in time to watch movies with sashastarchaser and antmanx. Not necessarily a productive weekend, but a relaxing one. Now to plan the East Texas invasion to see his folks (I have once again offered my culinary services, just in case). June will be busy with other friends' birthdays and a bachelorette party... but not unmanageably so. This is all to the good, IMHO.
It's just nice to have my life back, and be able to spend time with Arbiter, too. I had almost forgotten what it was like when we both weren't brain dead. Aaah.