Text 38417, 77 rader
Skriven 2010-05-29 11:08:24 av Carol Shenkenberger (12530.cooks)
Ärende: Picnic, Friday
======================
Commenced about 11:30 or so.   Dale and Gail got fascinated with one of the
local markets on the way down to the house.  More from them later on that i
bet!

Steve and Ruth brought home made picked eggs with beets, one jar with onion
slivers.  Mucho yummie with a perfect beet color down to the deep yellow
yolks.  More of them today I imagine as we couldnt eat them all up.

Also pita breads (whole wheat), fresh made Hummus to go with!

Not sure who brought some of the other things but there were lovely garlics
in oil (not hot, sweet and crunchy) and some red peppers that only Michael
could eat but the pepper fans nibbled (grin, not me said the whimp!).

Some nice variations of unusual chips and the Shipps brought more of those
wonderful rice cake things.  (also several of the chips and I think the chocol
ates?).  Chocolate tasting tradition as normal!

I've definately forgotten some of the items and who exactly brought which
ones (Mea culpa!).  

Dinner was at El Taco Loco.  We got there at 5pm and they didnt have our
reservation best I can tell (or maybe we got there just before such are
normally set up?  Not sure having only eaten there at lunch time).

Started with the whole rack of pork ribs, done mexican style.  Very nicely
spiced, in a dry rub sort of way they were tender and meaty.  I tasted hints
of cumin and many other things.  I felt guilty they didnt have beef versions
but Steve was really good about it and had at least 1.

Yes, that had Horchata!  Just not on the menu so I got one too and passed it
around for taste tests.  Sadly Don isnt a big Mexican fan and Charlotte has
some tummy ailment so he stayed home with her.  Heheh Don's being almost as
elusive as the cat which was to be expected.

Anyways, the horchata is a white sweet milky feeling smooth drink.  I'll
definately have them again when I see them.  Ruth mentioned thos set didnt
have cinnimon and i can tell that would match up nicely with it.

The meals after that were a little confusing as they arrived piecemeal but we
all eventually got everything.  Everyone seemed pleased but i for one was
mostly stuffed!  I had the house special Fajitas which are a mix of pork,
chicken, beef, and shrimp with carmelized onions and green peppers.  Now much
of it gracing my fridge in a doggie bag.  Served with refried beans and a
guacamole, sourcream, lettuse and salsa combo plus spanish rice.  Not being a
big spanish rice fan, I tasted that and was ok.  The beans just needed salt
(they cook largely low sodium at this place which I had forgotten to
mention to the others but I imagine was appreciated).

Dale had a chimichanga, Gail had something cheesy wrapped and i gather it was
different than what she was used to in that but good?  I'll let each describe  
their meal but Ruth next to me seemed to like the chorizo chicken dish.

A single serving of flan was gotten and shared about by all ( was too stuffed
to even think about it).  

Drinks?  Ruth and I had horchata then I polished off with a beer.  Michael
had a murphy's stout.  Dale had an 'xx' (I've seen it and there's another
name for it).  Gail had bud light I think.  Steve on the far side from me I
didnt see.

Back to here for more in the porch, the toilet decided to act up!  EEK! 
Steve was really sweet and got a snake and we eventually seemed to get it
cleared.  At least well enoug to hold until the picnic is over.  (Folks used
the other 1/2 bathroom in the interum).  I'm hoping I don't have to disrupt
things with rotor router in the middle of the party!

Folks departed at various times and lights finally went out here.

It's now the morning of the primary picnic day.  Waiting for Ruth and Steve
who are starting us off with their meatball dish that needs to slow simmer
all day.  Not sure what other fun we will get into, only that it will be fun!

     xxcarol

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 * Origin: Shenks Express (1:275/100)