Our own swampbear is about to hit the big 60. So I figure it’s time to throw a big party for him, as he’s (just a little) older than I am.
I’ve got the big chocolate cake baking, with chocolate frosting. I am a baker IRL, so it’s none of those nasty cake mixes, it’s from scratch, and the icing is real buttercream as well.
What will you all bring to the party? He says he likes beer and cookies.
One question, should we just have two candles, a six and a zero, or should we make him blow out 60 little straight candles? I vote for the latter.
And since both he and I are Episcopalians, we gotta have a birthday prayer.
Watch over your child, O Lord, as his days increase; bless and guide him wherever he may be. Strengthen him when he stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise him up if he falls; and in his heart may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Being a scientific American griller-dude, I’ll just light the fire and go sample one of those beers. It takes about a beer for the charcoal to get ready…
I’m going to bring something with cucumbers from the garden. And feta cheese and olives from the fridge. Let’s just put me down for Greek salad.
And then I’m going to sit with my feet in the kiddie pool and drink something made with tequila.
We have a superfluity of tomatoes this year, so for recuperating from the hangovers we will all have tomorrow, I’ll bring the bloody marys. Have to run to the store for celery: back soon. Start without me.
I’ve got Yuengling lager from PA, along with a selection of fine snack foods to nosh while we wait for the burgers and such to finish. And a veggie tray to assuage my conscience.
I have heard (and seen) that a scientific way to light the grill is to pour liquid oxygen on the charcoal. No nasty petrochemical or newsprint smell but be careful.
We were just discussing cold beverages and cement ponds… But someone else jumped I with margaritas. I volunteer some tri-tip, some mashed N.O.T ., my famous shrimp dip to share around and some champagne. Let’s do this!
I’ll bring some nice Jucy Lucy burgers with me. Some traditional, some with bleu cheese. And I’ll bring some homemade raspberry lemonade. Add vodka at your own risk.
Happy birthday, swampbear! It’s not a party without brownies - I’ll make the really chewy ones with chocolate chips mixed in and bring some fresh whipped cream to spoon on top.
