meatloaf in the house!

I've had the meat in the refrigerator for several days now. A mix of ground beef, pork, and veal, it is classic meat loaf material. Usually, I would simply use ground chicken or turkey, but this was on sale when I bought it a couple of months ago. I had promptly thrown it into the freezer, awaiting weather when the oven would be in use.
That time was now!
I couldn't actually lay my hands on my Velvety Meatloaf recipe, which I created and have used for years. So, I worked from memory.
I knew I would need about 1 pound (454 grams) of ground meat, raw.
I would also need 1 cup (about 250 milliliters) of barbeque sauce and 1 cup of stuffing mix (or bread crumbs).
I had the meat. I had the sauce.
I did not have the stuffing mix.
Well...I had lots of Canadian tri-color couscous, thanks to the DeKalb Farmers Market and the BFF.
I mean, lots. Three quarts or so.
So I used a cup of the Canadian couscous, uncooked.
I also had a half-bag of baby carrots needing to be used.
Fine. I can do that!

So, here is my creation: Carrot Upside-Down Meatloaf!
Preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit (180 Celsius).
In a large glass bowl, mix together the meat, couscous, and barbeque sauce. (This is best accomplished with your hands. This is also the worst part to me.)
Allow the mixture to relax while you wash the baby carrots, cut them into 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) lengths, and place them into the bottom of a glass meatloaf pan.
Now, transfer the meatloaf mixture into the meatloaf pan, on top of the carrots, and press into a smooth surface.
Cover loosely with aluminum foil, then cook in oven for one hour.
At that time, remove foil and cook another ten minutes.
Ta Da! All done!
Loosen the sides and invert onto a plate for a meatloaf that is not only tasty, but pretty!

I prepared more of the couscous to accompany the main course. However, I used orange juice instead of water.
Excellent!
I do hope I will remember this for future meals.
That's why I wrote it here!

red chimney in the Garden

Today's birthday celebration was a luncheon in a new place. No, wait, that's not quite true. The building itself is not any different than it was the last time I dined there, but the name and ownership had changed. Once, it was Muther's Old Timey Bar-b-que; now it is called The Red Chimney and has gone by that name, and these owners, for five years. Hard to believe that much time has passed!
I had the pork rib sandwich special of the day. I found out the sandwich was full of the meat taken off the ribs - no bones! It came with a drink (I had unsweet tea mixed with lemonade) and one side. I chose the green beans and added some fries. Then, just as I was closing out my order, the cherry winked at me. I swear, it did! And that's when I SAW the pineapple upside-down cake slices, mixed in with the lemon pound cake and some chocolate thing. Pineapple upside-down cake. So, I would not be dining alone after all!
I took my time with the lunch, tasting the four house barbeque sauces, chewing each bite thoroughly and savoring the flavors. The folks who ran the place didn't try to rush me, allowing me to dine on my own time. I didn't realize until I was leaving that the place was supposed to have closed at 2 PM. When I finally was sated, even going so far as to get a "to go" box for my slice of cake, the time was about a quarter of three. Oops! But the man who was clearly the owner was quite pleased that I was so obviously enjoying the meal that he had settled in on the porch with some friends to just wait for me to finish. Very nice!
The meal had been too much to allow room for dessert, so I waited for a while to enjoy the cake. A good move on my part! Topped with carmelized, crushed pineapple, and that lone, winking, maraschino cherry, the cake was rich and very satisfying to both my palate and my soul.
Glad you could join me, Sam.

I finished up the evening with the Sand Gnats, on as pretty a night as one could hope for! I was joined by two of my favorite men, the inimitable Mr. Willie and my middle brother, on a warm summer's night with a light, cooling breeze and a clear sky. Ah, very nice, indeed! And my boys of summer won the game, too! Such joy!
Such a balm to my soul to watch as the sky darkened to a deep blue and met the dark green waves of the trees below. The beauty of that sight always reminds me to breathe again, to calm my outlook, and to remind me that life is about these small moments spent with those I love.

when pigs... dive?

After dancing along to the sounds of Lake Street Dive, I bopped across the bridge, unsure of my destination, just enjoying the sunny day. You know? Too much energy to stay put, at least not yet.
I called my stepmom, to see if she might be able to meet for slunch or a movie or a chat. No, not this time dear, she was babysitting the two grandsons.
No problem, I would just keep driving until I found where I was going.
Wherever that happened to be!
Maybe I would go to the Wendy's where she and I sometimes met for dinner?
No, not this time.
Maybe I would continue to Bluffton to the erstwhile Sea Turtle Cinema and environs?
Hmmm... nah, I wasn't feeling it.
What to do?
Hey! I haven't been to The Pink Pig in a while! And I actually have some cash on me for a change!
But was it enough???
It was!
That ten-spot bought me a bbq pork sandwich with fries and a side of coleslaw. I drank water, so I would have enough to include a tip for the waitress.
Ahhhhh... that Gullah bbq sauce is THE BOMB! Better than ketchup on the fries!