Sunday evening
Jul. 4th, 2004 08:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ksmithThe day went well enough, as birthdays go.
First one without my Dad, which was strange. We covered that by not singing Happy Birthday, which was fine by me. If I had my way, I doubt I'd celebrate much beyond raising a glass and congratulating myself for getting through another year.
That being said...
My maiden adventure in grilling proved a qualified success. It was windy, so I kept the grill in the open garage as I lit the flame and let it burn. Things got a little smoky once in a while, and the smoke seemed to follow me no matter which direction I moved. Got a tad kippered, we did we did.
Next time, I will use more mesquite/chacoal, let it burn longer before starting to grill, and put the rack over the coals sooner so that it gets good and hot. Will also let the steak cook longer--these came out a little more rare than I prefer. Good flavor--I think I detected the mesquite undertone. But still, a shade too pink inside.
Too much food--corn on the cob, whole potatoes fried with onion, salad, and mushrooms. Later, much later, came my non-birthday cake, namely strawberry/blueberry shortcake with whipped cream. Very patriotic in appearance, and quite good. Filling, though. I am stuffed. We're having a cuppa tea now. Cheap teabag--not the best--but all right. I have also changed my shirt and washed my hair to rid myself of the smoke smell. I am sure between breathing and eating grilled meat, I ingested all sorts of interesting mutagens. But I think the blueberries I ate wiped them out--blueberries are supposed to be chock full of potent antioxidants. This is good, because I am almost always disappointed in the flavor, or rather, the lack of same. Not much punch, blueberries, unless I simply haven't had any good ones.
The experiment in trying to turn King into a house dog continues. I doubt he will ever turn into the couch potato that Mickey is, but if he reaches the point where he can be brought in during extended storms/blizzards/hot spells without misbehaving too badly, we'll be happy. That being said, he was pretty good for the several hours that he stayed inside today. He has staked out a corner of my office as his resting place, and is able to walk around and sniff without pulling everything he finds off tabletops and shelves. His main problem is that he's so danged vigilant. He'll just get himself settled when the sump pump or the fridge will kick on--when that happens he's up and pacing about, trying to find where the sound came from. Then he walks to the windows and looks out. In a way, I don't want him to change--that's what makes him a good guard dog. I just want him to slow down a little bit.
One more day of vacation left. BUFFY tonight--I think it's a Spike episode. That counts as a present.
First one without my Dad, which was strange. We covered that by not singing Happy Birthday, which was fine by me. If I had my way, I doubt I'd celebrate much beyond raising a glass and congratulating myself for getting through another year.
That being said...
My maiden adventure in grilling proved a qualified success. It was windy, so I kept the grill in the open garage as I lit the flame and let it burn. Things got a little smoky once in a while, and the smoke seemed to follow me no matter which direction I moved. Got a tad kippered, we did we did.
Next time, I will use more mesquite/chacoal, let it burn longer before starting to grill, and put the rack over the coals sooner so that it gets good and hot. Will also let the steak cook longer--these came out a little more rare than I prefer. Good flavor--I think I detected the mesquite undertone. But still, a shade too pink inside.
Too much food--corn on the cob, whole potatoes fried with onion, salad, and mushrooms. Later, much later, came my non-birthday cake, namely strawberry/blueberry shortcake with whipped cream. Very patriotic in appearance, and quite good. Filling, though. I am stuffed. We're having a cuppa tea now. Cheap teabag--not the best--but all right. I have also changed my shirt and washed my hair to rid myself of the smoke smell. I am sure between breathing and eating grilled meat, I ingested all sorts of interesting mutagens. But I think the blueberries I ate wiped them out--blueberries are supposed to be chock full of potent antioxidants. This is good, because I am almost always disappointed in the flavor, or rather, the lack of same. Not much punch, blueberries, unless I simply haven't had any good ones.
The experiment in trying to turn King into a house dog continues. I doubt he will ever turn into the couch potato that Mickey is, but if he reaches the point where he can be brought in during extended storms/blizzards/hot spells without misbehaving too badly, we'll be happy. That being said, he was pretty good for the several hours that he stayed inside today. He has staked out a corner of my office as his resting place, and is able to walk around and sniff without pulling everything he finds off tabletops and shelves. His main problem is that he's so danged vigilant. He'll just get himself settled when the sump pump or the fridge will kick on--when that happens he's up and pacing about, trying to find where the sound came from. Then he walks to the windows and looks out. In a way, I don't want him to change--that's what makes him a good guard dog. I just want him to slow down a little bit.
One more day of vacation left. BUFFY tonight--I think it's a Spike episode. That counts as a present.
