Took Denise over to Temple a week or so ago and introduced her to a Wilson family tradition.

Mom surprised us all a few weeks back when she said she was hungry for Chicken and ice cream. She needs to be hungry for it to want to go to the trouble of cooking it. It's normally a summer treat, so we were all happily surprised when mom told us she was in the mood to cook it in the first week of January.



You've seen this stuff before. It was GOOD! Peach ice cream and fried chicken.



It didn't last long ether. There was just enough left over to fill a few old margarine cups.



You've heard this before. Mom makes the sauce, and then I show up with a big bag of ice and put the freezer together and get it going. When it stops I see to it that mom gets the first plate...



Then dad, and then the rest of us. There's an ulterior motive in that order of things. The sweetest ice cream is always down at the bottom. I ain't no fool. And yes, my diabetes is doing fine, thank you.

Sunday with the family, and a new dinner guest.

I took Dad to eat Chinese food last Friday, at our regular spot. It's called Dynasty, in Temple.

I took this nice shot of the place, noticing the cloud formations in the sky. It was threatening to rain, and did begin to sprinkle on the place while we ate. We came out and found everything shining with moisture and the sky a little darker. Turns out more than a few local high school football games were delayed by rain and lightning Friday night. Nice way to begin the season.

Saturday was a lazy day. Laid around till about 1:30, and then decided to go and get Pizza and invite friends over to watch the college games. Watched the Tennessee/Cal St. game, and enjoyed a few Flying Dog, In Heat Wheat's in a chilled mug with the double decker Pizza. During half time we all walked down the road to a local marble slab ice cream place and had a nice treat.
By the time we walked back to the house, the score was 31 to 38, and we were thinkin' we were gonna get to see a good ending. Then the Cal folks let that running back loose, and it got ugly quick. Reminded me of a lot of Cowboy games I've seen. You get behind, catch up, and then get behind again. Always playing catch-up, but never able to get ahead. Interesting metaphor for my life these days, but that's another story.

Took Denise to Temple Sunday evening to let her meet my sister (She met my folks Friday before last), and let her partake of one of our oldest family rituals. That's right, Mom was cooking fried chicken and home made peach ice cream again. This will be the last time we have this stuff this year, what with the weather beginning to change and winter on it's way. Maybe she'll cook the chicken again, but we'll have to wait till next spring for the real treat.

Those of you who've been coming by for a while have seen this stuff before, and some may even remember when I posted the recipe. Go here for a reminder.



The chicken was already cooked when we got there. She does SUCH a good job.

Mom prepares the ice cream ahead of my arrival. I bring a bag of ice, put the ice cream maker together, set the tub of cream in the freezer, fill it full of ice and salt, and set it going.

Mom comes by from time to time to check on the goodies. You can always tell the ice cream is soon to be served when the freezer begins to strain and slow down. The excitement builds in the house as you can hear the machine straining. Finally it stops, and I bust it open and begin to serve the goodies. Mom gets the first plate, then dad, then Denise (she's a guest, after all), then sis, and finally me. There's a method to this madness. You see, the sweetest ice cream is always at the bottom of the bin. It was a good feed.

Denise made a wonderful Mexican dip, and I grazed on it while the ice cream was freezing. We all enjoyed it, and I'll enjoy it again Monday morning for breakfast.

My sis finally arrived, and she and Denise hit it off really well. They are a lot alike, and yet very different people. Same thing with Denise and me. They chatted while the ice cream froze.

It started raining while we ate, and we watched as mom's garden soaked up the moisture. She keeps it looking nice, but it's beginning to be a lot of work for her.

Afterwords I went around takin' sly shots of the folks, and got as great one of me and mom.

And then Denise took a few pictures of the family. This one turned out nice.

After the feed, it was relaxation time. I was dyin' to take a nap.

Denise is an expert at not letting me get a good shot. It amazes me, her instincts. She's quick.

We stayed for a few hours, and then Denise and I headed back to my place with the left over dip and chicken. That stuff will taste good after it's been in the fridge over night. You guys want any, you can try to pry it from my dead fuckin' fingers. Ha! Well, I hope your weekend was just as good, and I hope you enjoy your Monday off and then the short work week. I know I will. Cheers.