Friday morning, I had a second helping of scrambled eggs and maple-flavored pork sausage (not as good warmed up as when first made, BTW), then got to work. Did two loads of laundry, carried out all the tools that remained in the house, swept the kitchen and downstairs floors, straightened up the office, cleaned out the garage, etc. Luanne and Sadie are supposed to be here early this afternoon, spending one night, then moving on to my Mom's as part of their annual Christmas visit.
When the house was in order, I showered and shaved, then went to Westborn Market for some needed cheeses, veggies and fruit, and Farmer Jack's for more ordinary things.
Got home and unpacked, then wrapped their Christmas presents (you probably already guessed it - the secret projects! I probably could have said right off what I was doing, as Luanne has said all along she seldom, if ever reads my Blog, but, you never know, right?)
Anyway, Sadie's present was a birdhouse that is (for lack of a better way of saying it) my artistic rendering of her house (minus the additions - couldn't find a way to balance all that and still be able to hang it up). Check out the photos and for those of you who have been there, you will recognize it. For those many others who have not, I'd scan the pictures, but my scanner's not working tonight.
Luanne's was a bird house of the trailer her Father gave us when we were engaged. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture, so I had to rely on my memory (at my age, always suspect) and questions I cleverly asked Jeremy and Jake. Again, it's an artistic representation, not really reality, but it's damn representative!
I will post pictures of both for you (if Blogger lets me, lol!)
Melissa called while I was working, and sadly, I had to cut her short (sorry, Babe) but I am working to a deadline. Luanne called and said they would be there around 2:00 PM. So, I am making pizza dough, but not for a pizza. Dinner will be a spinach and ricotta cheese calzone. While that was in the bowl rising, I started on lunch and snack food. made a crab dip and I already purchased some spinach and artichoke heart dip from Westborn.
In honor of Lu, who I now affectionately call "goat woman," lunch will be fried, breaded goat cheese rounds on top of two slices of beef steak tomato, with a spring green salad off to one side. So, I cut the fresh goat cheese (consistency of wet clay) into four chunks and with latex-gloved hands formed four patties (for presentation you want the cheese rounds about the size of the tomato slices). Then I dipped them in a beaten egg and put them in lightly salt and peppered bread crumbs. Put them on a tray, covered with Saran Wrap and in the fridge to harden (at least 15 minutes).
Sadie and Luanne showed up just then (1:30 PM). While they unloaded their vehicle, I excused myself to change from my working clothes (sweat shorts and T-Shirt) into some "big boy" pants and a shirt. They got squared away, while we talked, then I started lunch. Fried the goat cheese rounds about 45 seconds on the first side and 15 seconds on the second in hot olive oil (just until they were brown and gooey). Then put them on top of two slices of tomato. Lunch was served. Not bad, in fact, pretty damn tasty! The acid in the tomato offset the gooey-ness of the goat cheese. Interesting taste. I will definitely serve this one again!
So, while we talked and caught up on gossip and real things, I set up a cheese tray (pinconning cheddar, Fortina and smoked Gouda) a variety of crackers, red and green seedless grapes and the two dips. To serve the two dips, I took a red and a yellow pepper (selected only because they stood up perfectly) cut the tops off, dug out the seeds and inside stuff and filled them with the two dips, propping the pepper tops next to them (can I do presentation or what?). I also put out some salted peanuts in one bowl and some mixed nuts in another.
While munching and talking, we exchanged presents. They had already given me a crock pot (and a mini crock pot) for my birthday. For Christmas, they gave me a statue of Buddha, about 18 inches tall. I think I will put him in the wild garden, next Spring. I gave them the birdhouses.
Next, we started to play cards. Rummy first (Sadie kicked both our butts!) Then something called Hearts (sorta a Solitaire game) which I think I won two out of three.
Now, it was around 7:30 PM, so I started the calzone. I rolled out 1/2 the pizza dough to an oval, approximately 8 inches by 11 inches. Then I put in the mixture of thawed, drained, chopped spinach, one cup of ricotta cheese and a small ball of mozzarella, shredded. Folded it over, crimped the edges and baked it at 450 degrees F. for 20 minutes. Hmmm... light flaky crust, gooey cheese middle, all that it needed was more salt (but not for them, which is why I went easy on it). Delicious!!!
We played Scrabble next - I kicked butt! Then back to that damn Rummy, and after an exhausting game (it ended after 11:00 PM) which Sadie once again won, we gratefully headed to sleep.
