So back to the Barftastic Weekend.  This is my friend Melanie, she and her family came to visit us for the weekend.  She’s one of the things I miss most about St. Louis.  When she sent me this photo I couldn’t stop laughing because it says so much about us…let’s talk about it.

1. What do you notice first?  Could it be that big pink scarf?  I’m just wondering.

2. At some point I’ll need to take Ellen to the doctor to have her jaw realigned.

3. Yes, the evil looking chick that popped into the photo is Ellen.

4. Melanie had to wear that stocking cap because she didn’t want to wash her hair…I love her for that.

5. Her daughter is poking her little face into the photo and I hope that she and Ellen will be really good friends someday, they have about the same age difference as Melanie and I.

6. The night before this photo was taken I was puking up shell fish, beer and a spinach salad, I’ve never experience anything quite so uh…barftastic.

7. I am ten years older than Melanie.

8. I appointed Melanie as the official mentor to my daughter and she takes that job very seriously and I love her for that.

9. Melanie sends my daughter sweet messages laced with humor and pearls of wisdom.

10. Melanie has bought me a mop and made me laundry detergent and she’s mopped my floor and done my laundry.

11. I’ve cleaned out her freezer and redecorated her shelves.

12. She’s the cheapest person I know and probably the most generous.

13. She posted this video on facebook and I watched it while I was talking to her on the phone and now I can’t stop saying , “Welcome to Canada!”

Fast Tube by Casper

A few days ago Sledge Hammer came out to Coal Creek Farm to make us his famous chili.  I can’t tell you how it warms my heart to see all these kids busy in the kitchen working together, making a meal.  It’s a wonderful sight.

Levi and I insisted that Sledge wear an apron and after a little protest he caved.  I love to torture that boy.  I was a bit concerned when I saw the summer sausage being diced…..where’s that going?  In the chili?

I was told to hush and get out of the kitchen.  So I kept my mouth shut and was allowed to stay.  Look at them,  they’re making dinner!!!  This is a significant occasion.  It might not happen again in my lifetime.  Which is okay, because Sledge made enough chili to last us a lifetime.

On the other side of the kitchen Ellen discovered that when you’re wearing mascara you need to step back to open a hot oven.  It’s happened to her twice now.  She was laughing and yelping, “My EYES!  My EYES!”

Maybe after melting her eyelashes for the third time she’ll remember.  Step back sister…save the face!

Laughing at other peoples’ pain…Sledge, I’m proud of ya, I knew we’d corrupt you eventually.

I have to admit I was impressed when Sledge found my spice cabinet without asking and even more impressed that he found what he needed in there.  Once upon a time I had an organized spice cabinet.  And now I don’t.  The End.

Thanks for dinner Sledge.  You make a mighty fine chili.  I ate it for three days in a row.

I think I liked nachos with Sledge chili better than any other nachos I’ve made before.  If you’d like to try some…I still have plenty in my freezer.