Memories in the Making

The last few weeks have been spent with good friends. I've read many quotes saying all you need in life is a close circle of friends. Have you ever stopped to consider how your circle fits together? Each person is a piece of the puzzle. In my circle, I like taking care of people---feeding them massive amounts of food, etc. I'm also the jokester normally, but that's in agreement with my star sign: Cancer-The Nurturer.

A close friend, Charli, came down for a few days before her field trip in South Wales. Two days before her trip, we conquered Snowdon. Now for those who don't know, Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and England, and is dwarfed by Ben Nevis (only by a few hundred feet). This was my second time to climb it (first time with Gabby and John), but I do remember how hard it was the first time up the mountain and I can say I'm extremely proud of my friend for making this accomplishment. For making this achievement, I got her an amethyst keychain (matches mine and Gabby's) and a special T-shirt. :)

The day before Snowdon, we tie-dyed. I hadn't done this in about a year, last time was with the youth group. I, Charli, and Katherine tie-dyed t-shirts, tank tops, and a big sheet. I taught them the starburst pattern, spiral pattern, and accordion. The clothes came out really well. Although Dylon, the dye i used, does tend to fade, but I did find some other dyes that have permanent brightness. I did dye the sheet in a spiral pattern and didn't expect to see orange on it lol! Will soo have to do this again. :)

Last week, two friends I met last year and I did the Pimm's Challenge twice. The challenge is to drain a pub of Pimm's--a popular summer drink in Britian consisting of Pimm's liquor, lemonade, cucumber, mint, cherries, oranges, lemon, and if desired, strawberry. First Augusta and I drained the Menai with 3 pitchers of Pimm's. A few days later, the two of us and Tom drained the BV with only 1 pitcher (earning 3 pitchers as trophies!). We then returned to the Menai for 4 more pitchers, but were unable to drain. It's always best not to get completely and utterly smashed.

Yesterday, Charli and I visited Newborough Beach. It was the second time I've been there this summer. We did go swimming. Yes, the Irish Sea is freezing, but refreshing at the same time. Whilst there, a thunderstorm brewed. This was the third time I've heard thunder in Wales. And a nice long, neon bolt of lightning touched down on the water. Since I've been through lifeguard training, my instincts kicked in strong, and I was like "ok! out of the water!"

Wednesday night, before Charli returned, I cooked for 9 and had garden games for 12. I cooked roasted chicken. I have perfected the art of making the meat fall off the bone. In order to keep the breast (dryest part of the bird) moist, I cook my chicken upside down for the majority of its time in the oven. That way, the breast is cooking in its own juices, no chance to dry out. I also make a tent of aluminium foil (no i did not misspell that--UK spelling/pronunc) to keep moisture in, and only uncover and flip the bird when it's time to brown it. Before roasting though, I take my hands and get underneath the skin. Making a baste of melted butter, thyme, rosemary, pepper, and poultry seasoning, I cover the bird inside and out. This is the same way I cooked the turkeys, all 3 of them this year.

I also did roast potatoes. Chop potatoes, put them onto boil until relatively soft. Get baking sheets--oven on high Gas mark 9--Cover the spuds in oil, poultry seasoning, pepper, and oregano. Let them sit in the oven for about half an hour and there ya go! For veg, I did, boiled Italian green beans, carrots, and parsnips. Good stuff. There was no dessert lol, no worries though.

A friend of mine brought the drinks--mainly Pimm's. She brought another bottle, Spanish wine called Sangriana. Tastes like communion wine--very sweet.

And then the lot of us went into the garden (with drinks). The weather was gorgeous, clear skies, and the sun doesn't go down until 10-11pm. We did charades (but it had to be a person everybody would know.) I also introduced a game to them that I did with the youth a few summers ago. Put everybody in a line. One person at the front has a pad and paper. So does ther person at the back. The rear of the line draws a simple image on a person's back. And this image passes up the line until the front person draws it. As with the whisper game, the final result is always distorted from the original--makes it funny. The last game was taught, called Whoosh, Hoe, Zap, Boing. Everybody forms a circle and one person has an imaginary ball of energy. She can whoosh it to those on her immediate left and right. Whichever way she decides to whoosh it, the ball must continue in that direction unless it is hoed. If the person on her immediate left hoes it back to her. She can zap it to someone across the circle unless they boing it back. ---kinda difficult to understand unless you actually try it.

Thursday evening, I cooked for another group, mostly new residents. We ate chicken spaghetti (bird and curd), broccoli, and banana pudding. Good stuff. :)

Mmm Mmm Good! MWAH!