Happy Birthday for Pat!

June 24, 2010
Broad Brook, CT

Whew! After a busy and fun-filled week, we were happy to find a few days to relax and recharge. Monday and Tuesday were quiet as Mike & Susan headed back to Illinois early in the morning and everyone else was back to the work week. Since we have enough "cookout" food to last the rest of the summer, we did up some hot dogs on the grill on Monday, with chili and diced onions this time (Geri's Famous Sauerkraut being all gone). Tuesday night, Al treated us to dinner at the Pond House Restaurant in Hartford's Elizabeth Park, a nice BYOB experience. Most of us had their "Tasting Tuesday" special (Watermelon Salad, Asian Brisket, Margarita Pie); the Calamari and Sweet Potato Fries appetizers were good as well.

Wednesday I did some shopping for RV maintenance items. Al has graciously volunteered to help with the routine "preventative maintenance" activities on Friday (gotta love the 4-day work week). I picked up the needed nine gallons of oil and a desiccant cartridge for the air dryer system; I have all the other filters "in stock" in the spare parts bay. In the meantime, Geri, Melisa and Jesse all went to the new Connecticut Science Center, a very hands-on type of museum in downtown Hartford. For dinner, Geri did a great job with Pork Medallions and Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Grilled Asparagus. Mmmm. After dinner, we played a round of Push-Pull Rummy, which Pat still thinks she won.

Today was Pat's birthday, so there were gifts, flowers, and cake. While we were deciding what to do about dinner, Geri made a great Guacamole recipe that she'd gotten from our friend, Eva, when we visited them in California earlier this year. This, of course, called for Margaritas (or, as they're locally known, "George-a-ritas"). Tired of waiting for a decision on dinner, Geri heated up some pulled pork we'd brought from Alabama, and we had that on the deck (not letting a passing shower dampen us, even if we didn't find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow) until the bugs drove us inside. Mike & Lynne stopped by and we visited until most everyone was tired. Al and I started watching the Red Sox game, but by 10:45 I was ready to call it a night. Good thing, since the game ended up going 11 innings!