First Outdoor Eating 2008

It has been chilly.
Bonus - keeps the insect life at low ebb.
Deficit - not enough time just sitting out enjoying the weather.

Saturday we got cold and stayed that way. I was able to put on full body armor and attack the creeping raspberries, but still haven't finished planting.
Sunday was beautiful. Hannah & Sophia went biking and canoeing with our neighbors Lew and Cynthia, and they generally had a fine day in the sun. When they got home we celebrated the first really nice day with a pot-luck gathering. Sam had a taste for barbecue sauce - so on the grill went:
1 fresh onion
1 chicken, cut and marinaded in orange juice, onions, & Garlic
new potatoes wrapped in a foil pouch

We added cheesey polenta with roasted garlic (should have been cheese grits, but out of grits - so polenta are grits-like) and some weird broccoli thing that Sam bought.
Lew and Cyn and Ellie added an enormous salad filled with ripe avocado slices.

We ate it all up. Can't say if it was SO delicious or if hunger,as they say, makes the best sauce, but we were all happy.

Reunion Food

Liz has crafted a delicious menu this year - and no tacos! Not that I don't love tacos, but they are a lot of prep time. This year this is what Liz (and I) have come up with:
Wednesday - Pizza and potluck

Thursday -- Mediterranean in feel
Lemon garlic chicken
rice
Grilled vegetables
Salad with feta and olives on the side
Roast eggplant and onions with lemon, basil, and mint

Friday - We are celebrating the year of the Pig!
Grilled Pork Loin with oriental/style rub
Chinese Cabbage Salad
Broccoli with Garlic & Soy
Sushi Rice
Fortune Cookies
Green salad

Saturday - A family Thanksgiving
Turkey & all the fixings
Mashed Potatoes
Durkee Green Bean Delish
Salad
Cranberry Orange Salad Raw style

More later - I'll post recipes as we go.