Cooked and baked for days and nights on end! At least, that's what it felt like. We had about forty folks over for Thanksgiving - four 20-pound turkeys, one 20-pound ham, all the trimmings and a *huge* dessert buffet. Naturally, after everyone was seated and Cowboy said grace, I started with dessert.
Everything was buffet style. There was a table for hot and cold appetizers and another for soups and salads.
While everyone headed there, I fiddled around at the dessert bar.
"SAR!!"
Jeez Louise! I cooked and baked everything. The least he could do is let me enjoy what I like most.
I quickly gobbled down a hunk of tiramisu and then joined the folks at the appetizer table. I "worked" the room, was the bestest hostess and said polite things. I even outgooded myself by thanking MsHairUpHerAss for bringing over her green bean casserole. I put a heaping helping on Cowboy's plate... I'm so good sometimes I can't believe it either. I hope Santa is taking notes.
~ sigh ~
The sight of all that "green" made me lightheaded. I hurried back to the dessert bar and ate a cream cheese brownie.
Whew! Felt much better after that.
"SAR!!"
Do you detect a pattern here?"
When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, I can skip the turkey. I like the other stuff - stuffing! I made a few different kinds - mushroom, corn bread and oyster/mussels - 3 of my favorites. The stuffing, along with cranberry sauce (cranberries and apricots and chunks of pineapple,) sweet potato pie with lots of marshmallows, mashed potatoes that were heavy with butter and cream, and fresh hot biscuits. My kind of meal!
"There better be something green on your plate when I sit down again, imp," a giant Neanderthal muttered in my ear as he brought another turkey to the table to carve.
I put a pickle on my plate. When he glared, I added two green olives.
"These things are good," our very young friend, Patrick, said as he stuffed his mouth with green beans.
Ackkkk! I have not spent enough time with that boy! No doubt about it! The child has been deprived of the finer things in life... cheese burgers, onion rings, milkshakes, mud pie, tunnel of fudge cake... Next week I will torture him with Mac and cheese and Cracker Jacks and TWINKIES!
When I was distracted by a good looking recon marine who proposed marriage if I'd run away with him and bring my pots and pans... Cowboy did a recon maneuver of his own. He slipped a piece of honey baked ham onto my plate. I ate it without realizing it. Good thing I liked it. Tsk.
Having fulfilled my food obligations... I went back to the dessert buffet.
Can you say Heaven On Earth? ~ Swoooooon ~
I had a bite of everything. 'Twas glorious. I was so darn high on sugar I should have floated away. Instead, I was wired and so charged with energy, I bounced around my guests making sure they ate plenty - especially the green stuff.
I also slept really well that night.
The next morning, Cowboy made his traditional "after Thanksgiving" cream cheese waffles for folks who were invited to drop by. On Sunday, we'll have our annual "after Thanksgiving" brunch for the neighborhood. It used to be that was when we got rid of leftovers but we didn't have any leftovers... so as I write this, I have cake in the oven. Cowboy will make omelets; there will be bagels and smoked salmon and cream cheese and I'll make fresh apple and peach kuchen (like tarts) and this will be the official start of the holiday giving.
On another note:
The Animal Rescue rep called and asked if we could take a 5th dog... Cowboy said he had to ask me. I grabbed the phone and said yes.
SWAT!
"We should have discussed this first, imp!"
Yeah, yeah.
So, this afternoon... we are expecting the animal rescue van to drive up with...
**2 black Labs
**1 Giant Schnauzer
**1 Briard
**1 Bouvier des Flandres
...and a partridge in a pear tree.
The kennels are ready - fresh bedding and toys and I'm rushing to post this so I can go whip up a nice meal for them.
"Is there any peach pie left over?" Guess who wanted to know.
"I'll make some for you tomorrow."
"What's wrong with today?"
Sheesh! Is his timing off or what?
SWAT!
Trivia question: Who gets all testy when he's peach pie deprived?
~Sar~
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
Home Again
It's astounding how quickly most of us acclimated to the computer and are addicted/dependent on it for our daily fix. Of course, some folks need this wonderful tool for their work, others to keep in touch with friends and family and the world at large. When we're offline for a while, it's a horrible period of withdrawal, especially when it's not our choice to be offline.
While we were away I was only able to access my messenger service - no email or anything else. Yep, email box is FULL. I sneaked onto the giant squid's laptop when he wasn't looking but it kept yelling "unauthorized Navy site!" Sheesh! Ya think he knew I was gonna sneak onto his laptop? The man is totally lacking in couth.
His lack of couth on this particular trip started at the airport. While we were waiting for our flight he muttered unintelligible noises about how heavy our duffel bag was... Well, of course it was heavy. I stuffed Butterfinger and Baby Ruth bars in it. Those are very hard to get in Pearl Harbor. I found out the grocery stores carry Twinkies but just in case my research data was out of date, I shipped a dozen boxes to friends so I'd have some when we arrived. Can't believe I had to bring my own Butterfingers. Tsk.
When I told the giant squid... he gave me "that look."
"But the bag will be so much lighter when we fly home," I smiled sweetly - something that is not easy to do when you realize that a descendant of Kubla Khan is flexing his hand as if his palm was itching...
Oy!
"It will be jammed packed with the stuff you buy," he announced and rubbed his palm on his thigh.
Double Oy!
"No, it won't," I assured him and dug into the bag for a Butterfinger bar to fortify myself from any further discussion.
"You're not shopping when we get to Oahu?" he asked with a look of profound shock on his handsome face.
"Of course, I'm shopping. But I'll have everything shipped home."
This may not have been my best answer.
The "look" turned into a frown. Both of his brows arched. He rubbed BOTH hands together.
I dug into the duffel and grabbed 3 more Butterfinger bars.
The ceremonies aboard the USS Arizona were both bittersweet and poignant. The Naval officers were in dress blues; the ladies in dresses, hats and gloves. It was a special occasion and the wall of memory plaques humbled me. I know our Veteran's Day was also a Day of Remembrance in other countries as well. Regardless of which country they serve, we owe the warriors who fought to preserve our freedoms a debt that cannot be repaid.
We stayed with friends who are billeted on Oahu. They have a house on the beach and Cowboy and I jogged in the early morning sun. Weather was lovely; chilly in the early hours but great for a morning run. We stayed on our time so when it was 6 a.m. there, our body clocks registered 9 a.m. A couple of times I stripped out of my jogging clothes...
"What the hell are you doing?" Guess who yelled that!
"It's warm. Got too many clothes on. I was wearing a bikini under the sweats.
"Gonna get your tush warmed, too!" Same Neanderthal yelled that warning.
"Yeah, yeah. You have to catch me first!"
I took off like a bat out of Hell.
HE took off after me like a surface-to-air missile.
Swats... then stuff... ensued.
We can NEVER go back to that particular stretch of beach again.
"Was that behavior unbecoming an officer and a gentleman?" I asked when we were completely dressed and walking back to our room.
"You're my Lorelei," the giant squid laughed. "I was unable to resist your siren's song, not your tush, either. A jury of my peers - Naval officers - will understand that and excuse my behavior."
"What about the swats? Will they forgive that too?" I rubbed my butt to remind him he was an uncouthful being.
"We use to flog miscreants in the Navy," he told me.
"I'm not in the Navy," I protested.
"Thank God for that!" he muttered and gave me another swat.
Just for that, I'm loading up that duffel bag with Hawaiian rocks!
~Sar~
P.S. Got home. Pups smooched me and slobbered on the giant squid. Cats came running, rubbed up against me, yawned, and went back to sleep. (The squid is invisible to them. LOL!)
While we were away I was only able to access my messenger service - no email or anything else. Yep, email box is FULL. I sneaked onto the giant squid's laptop when he wasn't looking but it kept yelling "unauthorized Navy site!" Sheesh! Ya think he knew I was gonna sneak onto his laptop? The man is totally lacking in couth.
His lack of couth on this particular trip started at the airport. While we were waiting for our flight he muttered unintelligible noises about how heavy our duffel bag was... Well, of course it was heavy. I stuffed Butterfinger and Baby Ruth bars in it. Those are very hard to get in Pearl Harbor. I found out the grocery stores carry Twinkies but just in case my research data was out of date, I shipped a dozen boxes to friends so I'd have some when we arrived. Can't believe I had to bring my own Butterfingers. Tsk.
When I told the giant squid... he gave me "that look."
"But the bag will be so much lighter when we fly home," I smiled sweetly - something that is not easy to do when you realize that a descendant of Kubla Khan is flexing his hand as if his palm was itching...
Oy!
"It will be jammed packed with the stuff you buy," he announced and rubbed his palm on his thigh.
Double Oy!
"No, it won't," I assured him and dug into the bag for a Butterfinger bar to fortify myself from any further discussion.
"You're not shopping when we get to Oahu?" he asked with a look of profound shock on his handsome face.
"Of course, I'm shopping. But I'll have everything shipped home."
This may not have been my best answer.
The "look" turned into a frown. Both of his brows arched. He rubbed BOTH hands together.
I dug into the duffel and grabbed 3 more Butterfinger bars.
The ceremonies aboard the USS Arizona were both bittersweet and poignant. The Naval officers were in dress blues; the ladies in dresses, hats and gloves. It was a special occasion and the wall of memory plaques humbled me. I know our Veteran's Day was also a Day of Remembrance in other countries as well. Regardless of which country they serve, we owe the warriors who fought to preserve our freedoms a debt that cannot be repaid.
We stayed with friends who are billeted on Oahu. They have a house on the beach and Cowboy and I jogged in the early morning sun. Weather was lovely; chilly in the early hours but great for a morning run. We stayed on our time so when it was 6 a.m. there, our body clocks registered 9 a.m. A couple of times I stripped out of my jogging clothes...
"What the hell are you doing?" Guess who yelled that!
"It's warm. Got too many clothes on. I was wearing a bikini under the sweats.
"Gonna get your tush warmed, too!" Same Neanderthal yelled that warning.
"Yeah, yeah. You have to catch me first!"
I took off like a bat out of Hell.
HE took off after me like a surface-to-air missile.
Swats... then stuff... ensued.
We can NEVER go back to that particular stretch of beach again.
"Was that behavior unbecoming an officer and a gentleman?" I asked when we were completely dressed and walking back to our room.
"You're my Lorelei," the giant squid laughed. "I was unable to resist your siren's song, not your tush, either. A jury of my peers - Naval officers - will understand that and excuse my behavior."
"What about the swats? Will they forgive that too?" I rubbed my butt to remind him he was an uncouthful being.
"We use to flog miscreants in the Navy," he told me.
"I'm not in the Navy," I protested.
"Thank God for that!" he muttered and gave me another swat.
Just for that, I'm loading up that duffel bag with Hawaiian rocks!
~Sar~
P.S. Got home. Pups smooched me and slobbered on the giant squid. Cats came running, rubbed up against me, yawned, and went back to sleep. (The squid is invisible to them. LOL!)
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Bustin' My Buttons!
Got a call from the local animal rescue society. Currently, we have empty kennels and they asked if we'd foster four large breed dogs. Two are oversized black Labs - 120+ lbs. Another is a giant Schnauzer and the fourth is a Briard. The Schnauzer is a hundred-pounder and the Briard around 85-90 lbs.
The UPSIDE! They want me to train the dogs in obedience, including advanced commands AND in general assistance. I'm over the moon about this! All four dogs are slated to go to four vets back from the Iraqi war and in need of assistance/companion dogs. I couldn't be happier than to provide our veteran warriors with animals that will make their lives easier and to be able to give four dogs rescued from possible euthanasia a second chance to live productive lives in good homes is a huge bonus.
Okay, off my soapbox. We'll be getting the dogs in about 2-3 weeks.
"You sure you want to do this at this time of year?" the giant Neanderthal playing devil's advocate asked.
I saw no reason to get into a long discussion about something I was determined to do so I sat on his lap and shut him up by stuffing heaping spoons full of peach cobbler in his mouth. (I froze some for when peaches went out of season.)
"You're extra busy these days cooking and baking for the upcoming holidays," he continued between bites.
Tsk. Obviously I didn't stuff his mouth fast enough.
SWAT!
Double tsk.
"And what about the downside to training these breeds? None of them are exactly docile."
Oh Ye Of Little Faith!
Black Labs are a whole different kind of retriever from Goldens. Goldens live to please you. Black Labs live to outwit you. They are extraordinarily bright, STUBBORN, and have a hugely wicked sense of humor. They steal things. They wag their tails while listening to you but in fact, they are really plotting what they're doing next. If you bring them into the house, they wait until you're asleep. Then they drink all the beer and watch porn all night.
I like a challenge and let's face it, I'm not crazy about beer or porn but when my mind is made up, I can be more stubborn than a black Lab.
"That's for sure," the giant squid says.
Oh sure. Now he agrees with me. Tsk.
The only Giant Schnauzers I've met are police dogs that patrol the perimeter of the navy base at night. Some are attack-trained and assist the military police if necessary. Schnauzers are also bright animals and easily trained as long as they know who the alpha is. I'm not concerned about training this one. It's like working with 100 lbs. of steel wool.
The Briard: Oh boy! Bright and crafty! You have to outwit this one and give it LOTS of praise and attention. It also responds well to treats. Well... that's what I do every day to keep Cowboy in line so this shouldn't be anything new.
SWAT!
"The truth hurts, huh?"
SWAT! SWAT!
Laughing... but softly.
We're off to Hawaii in a couple of days. The giant squid has been invited to attend the Veterans' Day ceremony aboard the USS Arizona. It's an honor to be invited and we're excited about attending. We have friends in Pearl Harbor and elsewhere on Oahu so we expect to be there about a week. When we get back, the holiday planning and baking et al will be in full swing.
We have a few social obligations already marked on the calendar. When you live with a giant squid, those things happen. Naturally, I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to spruce up my wardrobe so I've been doing that, too. So far, the credit card company hasn't called to yell "fraud" or "cease fire" or whatever other nonsense they like to exclaim when I forge his signature...
"You forged my signature?!?"
"Of course not, dear. I wouldn't dream of it."
~Sar~
The UPSIDE! They want me to train the dogs in obedience, including advanced commands AND in general assistance. I'm over the moon about this! All four dogs are slated to go to four vets back from the Iraqi war and in need of assistance/companion dogs. I couldn't be happier than to provide our veteran warriors with animals that will make their lives easier and to be able to give four dogs rescued from possible euthanasia a second chance to live productive lives in good homes is a huge bonus.
Okay, off my soapbox. We'll be getting the dogs in about 2-3 weeks.
"You sure you want to do this at this time of year?" the giant Neanderthal playing devil's advocate asked.
I saw no reason to get into a long discussion about something I was determined to do so I sat on his lap and shut him up by stuffing heaping spoons full of peach cobbler in his mouth. (I froze some for when peaches went out of season.)
"You're extra busy these days cooking and baking for the upcoming holidays," he continued between bites.
Tsk. Obviously I didn't stuff his mouth fast enough.
SWAT!
Double tsk.
"And what about the downside to training these breeds? None of them are exactly docile."
Oh Ye Of Little Faith!
Black Labs are a whole different kind of retriever from Goldens. Goldens live to please you. Black Labs live to outwit you. They are extraordinarily bright, STUBBORN, and have a hugely wicked sense of humor. They steal things. They wag their tails while listening to you but in fact, they are really plotting what they're doing next. If you bring them into the house, they wait until you're asleep. Then they drink all the beer and watch porn all night.
I like a challenge and let's face it, I'm not crazy about beer or porn but when my mind is made up, I can be more stubborn than a black Lab.
"That's for sure," the giant squid says.
Oh sure. Now he agrees with me. Tsk.
The only Giant Schnauzers I've met are police dogs that patrol the perimeter of the navy base at night. Some are attack-trained and assist the military police if necessary. Schnauzers are also bright animals and easily trained as long as they know who the alpha is. I'm not concerned about training this one. It's like working with 100 lbs. of steel wool.
The Briard: Oh boy! Bright and crafty! You have to outwit this one and give it LOTS of praise and attention. It also responds well to treats. Well... that's what I do every day to keep Cowboy in line so this shouldn't be anything new.
SWAT!
"The truth hurts, huh?"
SWAT! SWAT!
Laughing... but softly.
We're off to Hawaii in a couple of days. The giant squid has been invited to attend the Veterans' Day ceremony aboard the USS Arizona. It's an honor to be invited and we're excited about attending. We have friends in Pearl Harbor and elsewhere on Oahu so we expect to be there about a week. When we get back, the holiday planning and baking et al will be in full swing.
We have a few social obligations already marked on the calendar. When you live with a giant squid, those things happen. Naturally, I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to spruce up my wardrobe so I've been doing that, too. So far, the credit card company hasn't called to yell "fraud" or "cease fire" or whatever other nonsense they like to exclaim when I forge his signature...
"You forged my signature?!?"
"Of course not, dear. I wouldn't dream of it."
~Sar~
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