Wednesday night was the "Ready, Steady, Cook Off" at the Belvedere House. We supplied the venison for the chef from the Athlone Sheraton (who won his pairing cook off). It was a lovely event, and Kevin and I had a chance to wear something other than our farm duds and Wellies. It was fun seeing people who recognized us, and having a chance to chit chat.
There were more than a dozen suppliers, and caterers in attendance offering samples of their goods. We ate our way from one end to the other and then went around again. From the local Fish Market's chowder and fresh oysters to someone's pastries and then the cheeses from Moonshine Farms . . . . what a feast. As the locals are fond of saying, it was brilliant.
Yesterday, Saturday, the Farm Safari had approximately 100 children and adults here as we hosted the Boy Scouts and their families for a pig roast. What fun!
The preparation was tedious and thorough, with the erection of the MASH-looking tent on the backside of the lodge and the digging of the roasting pit. But what a night! It was totally worth all the effort as everyone had a great time and were well fed.
It was nothing like an Hawaiian pig roast (not nearly as good) but the "men in charge" did an acceptable job. The weather cooperated, too. The sky was clear and the wind was mild, and I have never seen so many stars in the sky. The Big Dipper looked like we could reach up and climb inside, it seemed so close. And the requisite bonfire kept us all toasty.
Today, Sunday, I had a very nice surprise. A woman named Ita, along with her husband and son, stopped by to give me a gift box of Belgian chocolates as a thank you for sending her an email with photos I had taken of her family while on a safari with us last month. What a nice surprise! I have done this for many people and this is the first thank you "gift" I have received. "Leonidas Pralines, Fresh Belgian Chocolates" was printed on the gift bag, and inside the box was a beautiful assortment, but nothing I would identify as pralines. The two Kevin and I tasted/tested were delicious! I know Ita lives near here and works in Cork, where the chocolate shop is located, too far away for a refill so we're going to try and make these last. Ha!
Tomorrow starts another week already, where does the time go? The busier we are, the faster it seems to fly, oh my!
Here's hoping Storm Ida passes by you all.
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