Saturday Nights

Saturday night is family dinner night at my place. It's flexible--come if you're in the mood, bring a meal contribution if you wish and everyone kick back.

The architect of these evenings, going on for around four years now, is #3 son, the one on the right wearing his goofy look. Actually the hall mirror reflects two goofy looks.

He moved here from Alberta around five years ago to re-connect with family and at first we had barbecues on the deck, just the two of us; soon we were joined by his bride. More local family members joined in and occasionally out-of-town members drop by to make sure they don't miss anything.
This is pure gold to a mother's heart.



This was one of those iffy rain-threatning nights so I decided to do the cooking indoors. When it's on the barbecue, one of the others takes over the grill.

On this night it will be oriental flavored pulled pork on toasted buns with crunchy salad and a light dessert. Super simple for a summer evening. The pork went into the crock pot at seven in the morning and the major part of the work was done.



There's always a word or board game ready for later--mostly we talk politics, resolve world or family issues or settle in to watch a movie.



See that clump of items on the shelf to the right, in front of the cow? That's my to-do stuff. A little sneaky I admit, but family is all here and there are some things I can't manage so it's stop and fix it time. Usually it'll all over within ten minutes.

Tonight it's change a watch battery (I couldn't open the case), take the lethal cork screw out of the bottle top opener, move the couch a few inches from the wall (that way I can vacuum behind the couches and it's one of those theater seating set-ups I can't move on my own). Finally A quick fix on my computer and we're done.

If the guys have a designated driver with them they have a single malt scotch to signify the end of the stop- and -fix moment.



A little more "Try to look natural" posing and we are well into another wonderful family evening.

Great idea, # 3 son.