In another state of mind today…It’s all about the food…Tonight’s menu…

Today, there has been an invasion of baboons and Vervet monkeys around our property.

“Sighting of the Day in the Bush”

Young male bushbuck in the garden.

Today reminded me of our old lives when we entertained, making a wide array of main and side dishes and, of course, some delicious dessert.  The place settings, the linen placemats, and linen napkins folded into a configuration I learned almost 50 years ago when I worked as a server in a supper club in Minnesota for a short time.

No doubt, I always make more food than we’ll need, fearing that there’s enough for everyone. Plus, Tom and I both love eating leftovers. The convenience of not having to cook for a few more days, along with the opportunity to savor the special foods, once again makes leftovers incredibly pleasurable for us. 

Little, while he was lounging in the water in the cement pond.

With Linda and Ken here, we’ll feast tomorrow night again and freeze whatever is left. Based on the foods we have accumulated in the chest freezer, we may not have to shop for food again, other than fresh produce, for the remainder of our time in Marloth Park, at this point in 29 days. It’s hard for us to believe the time is passing so quickly.

Tonight’s menu for Rita’s birthday consists of the following items:

Happy Hour 
Lemon Drop Martinis (sugar-free) *
Assorted Nuts and Cheese
 
First Course
Spiced Pumpkin Soup*
 
Second Course
Par 30 Salad*
with bacon, cauliflower bits, slivered almonds, diced green onions, fresh greens, and tossed with homemade dressing
 
Third Course
Marinated Filet Mignon*
Rosemary Lamb Chop*
Peel & Eat Prawn Tails*
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Cheesy Cauliflower Bake*
Sauteed Green Beans with Crispy Bacon and Caramelized Onions*
Toasted Garlic Ciabatta Bread with Parmesan Cheese
 
Fourth Course – Dessert
Cheese Pie with Buttery Almond Crust*
 
All items marked with an asterisk (*) indicate the item is low carb, grain, starch, gluten-free and sugar-free
 
 This young male bushbuck stops by several times a day along with other bushbucks.
So far, I have everything prepared except the final touches on the salad, cooking the prawns, baking the side dishes, and preparing and grilling the garlic bread. Tom will be cooking the meats on the braai.

But even with this seemingly small amount left to do, it will result in a busy day when putting it all together. Thus, based on this, unfortunately,  I have to cut today’s post short to get back to work on this lofty menu.

Little, leaving the cement pond after a soak on a hot, humid day.
By the way, last night, we had a barrage of visitors, including many warthogs, kudus, bushbucks, and duikers. It was a delightful evening on the veranda with Linda and Ken. We had a nice dinner and played a fun domino-type game.

Tonight’s party should be fun as well. Let’s hope the power stays on!

Happy day to all.

Photo from one year ago today, January 16, 2018:

This scene in La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, where Evita Peron is entombed, particularly caught our eye.  For those photos, please click here.

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