Uk 1-USA 1 - Pudding, WInner!

We hung the flags, divided the dinner guests and demolished the pudding.

Olympics and world cup games seem to be the divider in this family. The Rooster really does think that I care who wins and so as not to break his bleeding heart, I pretend to be incredibly passionate about all games American v England.

So last night with every TV in our house on for surround sound effect, both teams scored and drew. Not a pretty out come. Our dinner guests were very good not to talk too much football, thinking that I might be upset by it all.

I couldn't have cared less really. I just wanted to bring out the pudding!

This morning I was just about to take down the American flag from the front porch and Rooster was horrified, so I pretended that I was just moving it over.  I said that the mail man might find it in the way in the morning while trying to get to the mail box. I did ask him why I shouldn't take it down,( just curios), and he said that America was still in the running! Of course they were, what was I thinking.

I must have had too much wine last night.

On a completely different  note, we went to visit and pick out our new puppy yesterday morning.

She is the cutest  Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever ever (except for the two that we already have).
Two weeks old and already she can 'sleep' on command. How smart is that!

Camping

Where have the last couple of weeks gone?

The other weekend was particularly enjoyable.

We had a very full hen house but not actually in our house.

We filled our far field with friends and their children for a camping overnight.

The weather was iffy to start out with but then dried up a treat.

There is nothing worse then putting up a huge tent with no instructions, in the rain.

But that wasn't the case for all five families. 

We pretended to be very organized while 22 children romped and played along the river.

We never ask them to help prepare the tents because that's when extra poles  are left out and air 

mattresses get exploded.

The chicks  try to change the sleeping arrangements which is always amusing. 

Nobody wants to sleep with their perspective parents no matter what age and usually all the little girls cram into one little two man tent. 

That happened this past time and five girls woke up wet from due and lacking sleep. 

Their tent cover had slipped off in the night to expose them, poor chicks.

Though I'm not sure the odd older brother wasn't some how involved.

Dinner is always a treat on a campfire.

We've had butter-flied  lamb, salmon, pork fillets and more.

This menu consisted of kebabs.

But not ugly one, beautiful marinated pork ones, chicken satay ones,thai prawn ones and beef and lamb ones.

Couscous and tomato salad and little bakers warmed in the fire finished off the meal.

We even tried some tear away bread with success.

Camping puddings are the best. 

Lots of sticky finger food and chocolaty,gooey smores get served up way past sunset.

There is something so enjoyable about popping up chairs and sitting around a blazing fire with friends, sipping champagne or wine out of plastic cups or cold beer from a huge iced bucket. 

Children screaming, teenagers brooding and adults ignoring the lot.

We were all pretty smokey by breakfast but eggs and bacon sandwiches cooked over and open fire pretty much 

sums up a great camping weekend.

If the birds didn't start chirping at 4:15am that would have better but I'm not complaining.

Schools out and the chicks and I are off on holidays,best part is we get Dad with us too!

It will be nice to escape the English summer here even if we get a bit of rain where we're going, at least it's warm and I can leave my cashmere cardies at home!