Week in Review

Fall Break and Halloween this week. Pictured here is the adorable Landon and his dog, Stella, as dinosaurs.






Boo at the School

On Tuesday night we hosted a 19th century Halloween party at the one room schoolhouse. Because of a public relations error, we ended up having more than the 25 kids we were planning for. It turned out okay, I think. This picture might make one think otherwise. Well, mostly because it looks like this ghost has something tied around its neck and, of course, the Danger Electric Fence sign. (I'm told that it's just a little buzz, truly, but I've never actually tried it out) And then there is that open bucket of lard on the ground beside the ghost. And there were many lighted candles and jack o' lanterns and lots of cars driving by at high rates of speed. Oh, and about thirty minutes after this picture was taken a Pit Bull and a Rottweiler from the next farm came over and stuck their heads through the fence and barked at us. But other than that it was perfectly fine, and safe. (nervous laughter)





Sunday Candlelight Supper

Finally, we got our neighbors, Rick and Cathy, here for dinner. We served them the chick buns, carrot souffle, asparagus, and rosemary garlic potatoes. (I know - enough with the chick buns already. Next week - something different) I baked two pies, a pumpkin and a pecan. We ate our pie during half-time of the Patriots/Colts game. Sheesh. Now we're going to have to keep hearing about how woooonnderfuuul those Patriots are. Cathy also brought over a cheesy salsa dip to enjoy during the game. We were stuffed.



Cathy is an accountant, but she's a fun accountant. Once, she and I and our children toilet papered her sister's family who used to live across the road. They never suspected us. Rick and Cathy have been to the David Letterman show three times and Rick always manages to get them on camera. The last time they were there, Rick stumped the band with a song called "Hoosier Boy's State." And because he used to be a state policeman, Dave asked him to pat him down. And he did. Rick was also a contestant on The Weakest Link. He got all his questions right, so when they got down toward the end, the other contestants gave him the boot so they wouldn't have to compete against him in the final round. He's also trying to get on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. I'm hoping he'll ask me to be a phone friend.

The recipe for the week is for the Rosemary Garlic Potatoes. They're great because, well they're tasty, and you can prepare them on top of the stove, so...more oven space.

Rosemary Garlic Potatoes
3 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
10 small red potatoes, quartered
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
(or substitute 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic

In a ten inch skillet, heat oil; stir in remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisply-tender (30-35 minutes)

How about that Brett Favre?
I don't want to hear about those Patriots!