It was early in the morning two years ago when I lost Sue. We were all shocked as she was the energizer bunny; she just kept going. She said she was ready to go with all the medical issues and was always in pain, so I let go. We were together for three decades, and they were amazing. Thank you kids/grandkids for the calls during the day!
Family & Friends in the ICU waiting room hours before Sue passed. Thank You All!
It is my joy to be with Dr. Mary now, share our lives, and look forward to another twenty years. I do have to laugh when Mary says, “Thank you, Sue, for training him well!”
We had a small dinner party planned for this evening, so we started getting ready early in the day and began with a coffee cup. I told Mary, “Caffeine and sugar, the two basic food groups.”
Mary had a problem with dinner, so I said, “Not to get technical, but coffee is a solution according to chemistry.”
“Paul! Do not publish this picture!!”
We needed to get some energy in the old systems, so last night’s French onion soup seemed to be a good way of accomplishing that need. Slurp, gurgle, belch…it was delicious!
We did French Onion Soup for breakfast; thank you, Robin!
We worked in and about the kitchen/dining room all day. Mary got busy with horse’s doo veers which are going to be deviled eggs and egg rolls. Mary fired off a good one; “Where is the best place to learn about eggs? The hen-cyclopedia!”
We worked all day getting ready for a dinner party later this day!
This meme was perfect after working for several hours!
After standing up for hours, we know what he means.
It was late afternoon, so Mr. Gobble came in to join us and get put on the rack. Mary had a great idea to use a roasting bag to keep in the moisture. We put a slit at the top so the bag would not explode or shoot off through the oven door, making three complete circles around the family room before planting itself into the wall!
Mr. Gobble joined the party.
OK, I admit it; I goofed! Mary had a bowl of mashed potatoes, courtesy of TJ,s Well, they looked like marshmallows to me. While she was looking the other way, I popped one in my mouth expected sweet tastes. YUCK! I just tried to eat an uncooked potato. Then, of course, Mary asked a question. I had to rid my mouth of this horrible thing before I could answer. She caught me mid-patooty! I was caught!
She is working again.
While Mary put the finishing touches on the meal, I set the table complete with crustal goblets and the finest on paper napkins!
The table was set; we are ready!
Our guests begin to arrive. Dr. Dao was our guest of honor! She is a dermatologist and worked in the same office area as Mary. She and the Ash’s talked about Vietnam and its history for a long time.
Bob Carlson was, as always, a delight and talked to everyone about everything. He brought some charming wines, which we made sure were gone before the end of the evening. Bob reminded us, “A meal without wine is called breakfast.”
Everyone gathers in the kitchen.
Some of us sat on the patio, and I fired up the table heater. We were called to the patio when Mother Nature put on her daily show.
Mother nature put on a great display!
Meanwhile, Bob, Angelina, and I demonstrated how to sharpen knives using the sharpening rod. Each of us had a different way, and I found Angelina’s method quick AND safe!! Bob’s approach, as shown below, was fine, but the red hot pad came out the worse for wear!
Bob shared some of his wisdom. He said, “What do you do when you’re in a knife fight with a group of clowns? Go for the juggler.” If that wasn’t bad enough, he followed up by saying, “What’s the difference between a knife and an argument with a man? The knife has a point.”
We shared how to sharpen knives.
The final touch was quite a fire show. I told Mary we ought to put the yams in the broiler with the marshmallows to get them melted. Well, we did and then got involved in the conversation. Mary yelled, “I smell something,” and about that time, I saw flames shooting out of the broiler and thick smoke rolling into the kitchen.
Scout, The Wonder Dog, ran for the hose. I got a fire extinguisher, and Mary suggested we flambe the dish using a quart of 180 proof whiskey.
Perhaps I overstated the situation?? We took the dish from the oven, and Mary dug the burnt marshmallows out. I suggested we served it as-is and tell everyone they were blueberries.
Oops! Marshmallows and broilers do not mix.
Everyone came to the kitchen to see what other fireworks or cooking displays Mary may have planned. While there, the appetizers disappeared.
The spring rolls were excellent.
The smoke has cleared, and the fire department departed. We headed to the formal dining room to re-celebrate Thanksgiving.
Dinner is served!
It was a delightful meal, and the conversations were interesting. Mike and Linda have had some wonderful adventures; next time the video camera is coming out!
Dinner is served
We had one open seat as Dr. Dao’s daughter had to stay home.
We laughed and giggled and had a great time. Dr. Dao brought dessert, banana’s Flambe. We had enough fire this evening, so we kept our matches to ourselves; besides, we all needed a little alcohol. Also, we didn’t want the fire department to be called out twice in one evening.
There were lively conversations all night long.
Everyone departed around 9:00 PM, but Irene stayed and assisted us in cleaning up; she is such a doll!!
We finished up everything and headed to the rack around 10:00 PM. It was a perfect day.
