Well Friday was a busy fun filled day as we entertained the Ross Family until late in the evening with a game of domino's after a delicious supper that was composed of some leftovers but mostly grilled chicken, Swiss chard and a fresh garden salad with cup cakes for dessert but some had smore's as we had a fire outside for a couple hours. I was surprised we were able to get it going as we had a down pour during the afternoon but we did and then Sam had dug up a couple sassafras roots and had them in an old coffee pot to make a tea.
I had started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to stretch on the back porch before heading out to check on the gardens for any deer damage and thankfully everything looked great especially all of the transplants from yesterday. I harvested another 6 yellow squashes and 3 beautiful cucumbers as well as several large leaves of Swiss chard for our supper. It was the first time the Ross grands had ever eaten Swiss chard and while Ava loved it Eliza and Sam weren't sure yet, even Tyler loved it.
We all took a mid morning hike to the top of the mountain and saw Sarah there with her old small dog and we visited for a few before walking on across the top and saw Charlie Condon out in his yard. We stopped briefly and then headed down the back road. Rocky was in his joy as he was able to run free most of the way. Charlie's family was gone so they didn't get to see Rocky or he didn't get to visit with them as he is a people person dog. We were whupped especially Nancy as we headed back down to the cabin as the temps were getting a little warmer and the humidity was back. The a/c went back on for the rest of the day and evening. There were rain clouds all around the area but we managed to miss it until later in the afternoon when we got a shower.
We ate left overs for lunch and then we guys settled into some poker as Sam has an awesome case of real chips and playing cards, so we played various poker games. It was fun and Sam knew all the rules to playing the games of chance. I managed to get lucky and won the most chips.
I cut up two whole chicken into parts and put them on the grill for an hour or so and we had a pot of dried beans cooking as well as leftover tatter casserole and of course the fresh picked Swiss chard and a garden salad. Despite the threat of rain we decided to do a fire for the first time since they were here so we built one and actually it did fine, enough so everyone but Tyler and I skipped the smore's. Everyone seemed to have a fun time playing in the fire and making smore's as well as heating marsh mellows for Rocky.
Well we headed in and some of us starting hitting the showers and then we all played chicken foot domino's as it was the first time for Eliza and Sam. Ava played a couple rounds then had to take a phone call from Panama from her beau Landon, so she quit and then we all quit after 5 rounds or so as the night was getting long. Tyler was the winner with the lowest score. I soon hit the sack as was out for the night.
Today we all make the trip to Boone and Blowing Rock to visit the Mast General store and then over to Blowing Rock, the cute touristy town before heading back as they need to pack for an early morning start on Sunday for home, LATER
