What a great day for a family get together! It has seriously been too long since we have all been together in the same place at the same time but today is the day. Before heading to Chris’ for a much anticipated pool party, Terry and I stopped by the Farm to deliver a belated birthday gift to Dad and Janice. Many moons ago, we ordered a wooden swing to provide a spot for respite and quiet contemplation. However, due to the pandemic, production was stymied and we just received it hence the July delivery of May birthday gifts.
Lily and Elijah have just spent a week with Levi at the Farm and I think they had a blast. Tons of cousin time, lots of baking and cooking, learning new recipes, firearm lessons, fishing, gardening, tractor driving, staying up late, sleeping in and swimming.
Just before heading out, Dad sent the kiddos out to harvest vegetables for us to take home with us. They gathered homegrown green beans, while Dad and I picked squash, green bell peppers, red and green tomatoes and fresh sprigs of thyme.
On such a hot, summer day, I for one couldn’t wait to get to Chris’ to hop into his pool. When we arrived, he had groovy tunes playing, a carafe filled with chilled lemonade, and his smoker smoking for our dinner tonight. Before I could even hug Chris and change into my swimsuit, Roy and the kiddos had jumped into the cooling waters. While we splashed and played, Chris, being the perfect southern host, delivered frozen, strawberry margaritas for all the grown-ups and an alternative kid friendly version for all to enjoy. Both delicious and delightful.
An outstanding cook and party planner, Chris was in his backyard at seven o’clock this morning preparing a pork butt for a day of low and slow smoking. Along with the shredded pork, Chris provided marinated grilled hot dogs, iron skillet Mexican corn, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and adult libations while we pot lucked the rest with potato salad, deviled eggs, Greek pasta salad, black bean salsa, Cherry Fluff salad, mini-cheesecakes made by Lily and an icy cooler filled with bottled Cokes and Sprite, Mountain Dew, and Cheer Wine as a nod to East Tennessee.
To cap off our fabulous day together, Chris shot off a few fireworks he had remaining from the 4th of July ending our evening with a brilliant bang.
The pile driver didn’t work so we called in the big guns…Big Daddy.
It’s football time in Tennessee.
Levi and Josh practice their golf swings.
