We had such an awesome time on Saturday. Boudicca, her three young Celts, and her sister Morrigan came over for a BBQ. There's always a bit of trepidation when you meet somebody for the first time and (for me at least) this is there regardless of how well I know somebody online. This evaporated as soon as Bou got out of her car and gave me a big "Hi" and a smile. If you've read her writing - she's just like that for real.

Of course now that I've been with her (not in the biblical sense - get your minds out of the gutter you dirty birds) one question does arise. What's up with the diet thing, Bou? Completely unnecessary - you're gorgeous.

The more perceptive of you will note that I brought that up here instead of in person. Like grampa used to say "Never talk to a woman about her figure. It's much safer to post it openly in a public place frequented by hundreds of people after ensuring that there are several hundred miles between you." Heh.

Morrigan is fantastic too. It's a good thing we didn't have any unattached males in attendance or they'd have been strutting about like peacocks,and we've already got enough Peacocks at our house. Actually, now that I think back on it the lads may have been showing off a bit...

Boudicca's boys? Well, I'll just say that I see our future with three boys and it looks damn good. Rest and relaxation are for wimps.

Incidentally, if I ever give you directions to my house change "Midas" to "Mieneke" and "Bethesda Church Road" to "Whatever the actual name of that road is". I had forgotten to warn Bou that although I can find anything I have a genetic disorder that prevents me from accurately guiding anybody else to it - even when that thing is my house. Anywho...5 points to Bou for successfully navigating the minefield of my directions. ;-)

The barbecue itself was decent. Technically it was a cook-out and not a barbecue since the only pork products were the swine noses in the hot dogs but that's neither here nor there. A goodly portion of the offering ended up suitably prepared for Odin* but enough survived to get everybody fed. At least the Jimmy Burgers™ came out well. So long as the burgers have a strong finish the BBQ is a success.

I unwittingly set myself up for chicanery. Bou provided deserts - a big ol' bowl of cubed fruit, a cake with the most incredible chocolaty fudgy frosting you've ever experienced, and a big plate of brownies. I love brownies above all other baked goods. In fact, when Bou mentioned what she was planning on bringing I mentioned that she could skip the fruit and the cake and triple up on the brownies. When they arrived and Morrigan turned the tasty treats over to my care I joked that "I might just have to misplace the brownies". Further foreshadowing of criminal intent involved one of the boys asking me what I was carrying. My flippant "Special grown-up food that is poisonous to kids" completed my set-up. You see...when it was desert time? When we brought out the cake and served it up? I...forgot the brownies.

I swear on all that I hold holy that I honestly forgot the brownies. Despite me effectively stating that I was planning on keeping all of the brownies for myself not once but three times I did not actually intend to keep all of the brownies for myself. On the plus side I got to eat way more brownies than I would have if I'd remembered them during the BBQ. On the other plus side we've got a very nice microwavable plate that we can hold hostage to lure Morrigan back. What do you say, Mo? Two weeks Saturday?

Hell, this is all positives. Now I'm pissed that I admitted that this came about through forgetfulness instead of brilliant planning. Drat.

There was much more involved in the festivities including The BubbleMan and much puppy love. Boudicca's got the scoop on those.

All in all it was a great time and I can't wait for a repeat. :-D

* Think "burnt offerings". I claim I was distracted by shiny bubbles.