Where to begin? Well. I had a wondrously grand birthday yesterday. I must admit that at the beginning of the week I had given up on my birthday. With Big E being so ill and my being so tired, I was really tempted to just pack it in. Maybe I would just stay 34 for another year. But... between my girls and Big E the day was a really good one. And, oh my goodness, the commenters out there totally turned my mood around. Talk about the love! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
So now.. the dinner... My mom out did herself (which seems impossible). We had tender, juicy, roast pork loin that had been wrapped in thick bacon, creamy scalloped potatoes, souffled eggplant (think warm, fluffy baba ghanouj), butternut squash lasagna (so sweet and tender), green salad with orange, seed bread imported from Eugene, and a vegetarian shepherds pie with the yummiest black lentils. Oh, and how could I forget? Mac and cheese for the kids. Did I mention that there were 21 adults and 6 kids to do this feast justice? Ya, I thought I hadn't mentioned that.
The worst part? Big E wasn't there in his glory telling stories. The second worst part? The leftovers are only enough for Big E's lunch today. The best part? The conversation. What a happy hive of talk, laughter, and enjoyment. Thank you to everyone who came! Thank you especially to Grand M and Papa! What a blast!
(Oh my , I forgot the pickled green beans! Crunchy, delicious, oh my...)