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"To Friends and Traditions"

Today started for me at O-dark 30. Yes, that ungodly hour when it's still dark and way earlier than you planned on EVER getting up. I had heard a little puppy whimper, knew she was trying her best to be a good soldier and just wouldn't be able to "hold it in" any longer, so up I got and out we went. Roux and Bru and Dash into the foggy morning. We finished our walk, I fed the pups and went directly into the kitchen to start lunch of all things. I even did this before coffee... don't ask me why or better yet HOW, because I'm usually pouring 1/2 n 1/2 in the sugar bowl before I'm completely awake. I was fixing turkey drumsticks and grilled corn on the cob for lunch. The drumsticks would take hours and that's why I started so early. First I had to skin them... very carefully to remove all the membrane that holds the skin to the meat. When that was done it was a simple run through my magical concoction of herbs and spices and whatever else I had thrown in the bowl until each fat turkey leg was completely coated... laid them out on a flat pan... drizzled them with Olive Oil and into a 225 degree oven..... for 5 hours. Yes, 5 Hours. occasionally turning them and basting. When lunch time did arrive, I lit the grill and cooked the aluminum foil covered corn first, then I brushed a glaze of raspberry jelly, raw sugar and apple cider vinegar, over the legs and on the grill they went. 5 or so minutes on each side and lunch was served. This was our attempt at Ren Fair food. We were suppose to go to Ren Fair to see the Highland games with Jon N Steph, but decided to make it an air-conditioned, puppy filled weekend instead. Oh and Steve supplied us with his version of a kilt clad Scot. It was a little confusing, because he added a "wife beater" tank, and Jikatabi's , but it still worked!! Our newest additions are doing great! Dash has finally gotten Roux and Bru to play together with him. All thanks to the Magic Sock!!

I guess it was around 11, maybe earlier, Jon N Steph arrived with Turk and Beau. I had put Dash outside to limit the amount of excitement that I know would be tremendous once two more dogs showed up. I was right and Dash got it out of his system before he came inside and infected the two little ones with his exuberance. Roux is fine with any dog... she'll jump right in and start playing. Bru on the other hand, being a Chihuahua and a year old, is a little more reserved and I'm guessing he doesn't like getting stepped on. he also thinks he can just bark and boss the other dogs around. When he wouldn't stop barking or growling (while sitting in my lap) I just sat him on the floor in the middle of the Big Boys. He soon shut up and made nice. In a matter of minutes they were all calm and looking for treats. :) Especially Beau, who probably got a little spoiled on them his last visit!!

I even managed to get picture proof that they were all well behaved puppies. Of course I had to snap it quick, because this was like getting 5 ADHD 4 yr olds to sit still. Later, Miriam came by with Cane, and once the whole "Who's New on the Playground" was over with, they all went back to normal.

I'm guessing it's because I learned at such an early age, that I have such a hard time believing Jon can't ride a bike, but because I'm 44 and don't know how to swim, I won't give him a hard time.

He actually knows the dynamics of bike riding, but he has trouble with the whole balance thing.

I learned fast, that running alongside and holding upright, a bicycle ridden by a 25 lb kid is a Hell of a lot more easy than doing it for an adult..... an adult who had just had lunch!!!! Was that polite enough???? LOL!!

Steph did a much better job which also allowed me to stand back and laugh!!!!

We tried a different kind of bike, but it turned out to be even more disastrous!! Poor Jon, looks like Steph is going to have to resort to getting him a side car. Maybe they make one that's connected to the bike's gear mechanism and Jon can still help pedal.

Fortunately there were no injuries in our attempt to teach Jon how to ride and when he climbed off the bike suddenly aware that boxer briefs aren't good for bike riding, we all got another good laugh. I lowered the bike seat, handed it to Steph and her and Steve went off down the hill. They rode all the way out to the 340 bridge and back. Steve managed to ride back up High St all the way. I'm not sure if he's trying to pop a lung or explode his heart, but he did it and I congratulate him.

Steph had fun and said she forgot how much of a workout bike riding was. I'm glad SOMEONE sees it now, from my point of view.

Before I forget to mention this.... I called Miriam this morning and apparently too early, but since I thought she was going all country housewife on me, according to her canning and food processing blogs, I thought she would be awake. NOT... :)

Anyhow, I had to find out what she used to pulp her fruit.... LOL. When she told me a food processor, I told her, "I have something for you". A brand new... back in the box, but never used Food Mill. I'm telling you this, because this is not only an important piece of equipment for a home-maker, but an important tradition to me and most of my family. For many of them it's just a kitchen utensil, but that's after many years of use. They simply take it for granted. So today I passed on a time honored family tradition to a friend, and gave her her first food mill. Miriam is now, more a part of Down County than she knows or may even want to be. Of course I waited for the first day of the Harvest Moon to present my gift, which makes it even more special to freaks like me who celebrate moon phases!! Miriam promptly returned home and reprocessed some huge amount of tomato sauce and came back hours later bearing some of the best Bloody Mary Mix I've had in years. I've really got to get to the liquor store. Bloody Mary Mix and Moonshine..... nope.

We also got some other good news. Virginia and Mike and Chris have located a new home. Their recent move to Hampton VA has finally ended in a new place to nest and I just have to say this..... On A Harvest Moon!!! I know, stressing my Lunar Faith is a little tedious, but necessary. One day you'll agree!!!

Celebrate the Harvest Moon!

Cheers to another great weekend!! Friends and family and puppies and kitties and bike riding and well, it just goes on and on and on!!! An entire weekend spent weaving an invisible thread. Making our family a little bit larger and a little bit stronger, meal by meal..... tradition by tradition. Sharing our home our past our trust our respect our desire to become a warm shining reflection of kindness to those who surround us.

La pace di maggio abbonda, (May Peace Abound)