Impromptu Family Dinner

Yesterday Megan sent a text, which I didn't see until she called to ask about said text.  She and Lynnlee wanted to come for dinner.

Good!  I had planned to make a Salsa Chicken casserole, but since the chicken breasts were not thawing yet, we switched to pork chops.  They could thaw while we were in town for Gary's appointment with Dr. Hart.  Then we could stop at Payless for the Pepsi sale (5 6-pack bottles for $10) and pick up potatoes to bake, lettuce for salad, and pie crust since I wouldn't have time to make my own.  He pulled a bag of the frozen berries out of the freezer also.

Since Karen and I had mentioned getting together maybe at Brick and Mortar on  Wednesday, I decided to extend an invitation to them to join us.  She accepted and said she would bring a Dutch apple pie.

After his appointment, we went to Target to pick up Owen's shirt for the fall mini-session that had been ordered and was in, so we decided just to pick up what we needed there and save the Payless run for another time.

Knowing that the Yaggie crew would be over to do the chores later, I extended an invitation to them to join us also.  Blaine and Owen had been busy in the afternoon, Hilary and the other two kiddos had been in school, plus I knew that Hilary didn't feel well, so it seemed like the thing to do. They accepted.

Home to make the pie and pop it in the oven.  Gary cleaned the potatoes and put them in with the pie.  He tore a head of lettuce apart and washed some cherry tomatoes for salad. I found some larger heavy duty paper plates that we could use.  I thought a cheese and cracker tray would be good too, so I sliced some summer sausage, cheese, and salami and fixed up a tray for an appetizer. 

Since our little dinner party for four had grown to 11, it seemed like a move to the Party Barn was in order.  While I was finishing some things in the kitchen, Gary started moving items to the PB and getting the grill ready.  Soon two tables were covered with cloths, the workbench became a serving table, and chairs were around for sitting and visiting.

Megan and Lynnlee arrived while the pie was still baking so M and I visited in the dining room while L was outside with Papaw.  Soon Megan drifted out to help with the meal prep outside, and it wasn't long before the Yaggie van pulled in.  Kids on the trampoline.  Sisters visiting with each other.  Chores being done.

Karen and Clay arrived with the Dutch apple pie.  Everything fell into place and dinner was served.  Baked potatoes were perfect.  The grillmaster made sure the chops and hot dogs were cooked to perfection.  Lettuce salads appeared in bowls from the  Party Barn tubs.  As the main course vanished, Landon pulled out Sycamore custard from the freezer and scooped it into bowls or on top of pie slices for everyone.

After dinner and the clean up, it was time for the kiddos to depart for it was a school night and baths were needed and early bedtimes were looming.  Megan added some food to conainers to take home for Matt and Cooper.

After the Party Barn was cleaned up, Karen and Clay followed us to the house and we chatted about our trip to Michigan and their similar trip that is scheduled for a couple of weeks from now.  Then they left to look at a house that had just come on the market on Lake Shafer. 

No fuss.  Little mess.  The kids had a great time.  The adults caught up on conversation.  Impromptu dinner and it was fun.  No pressure, little planning, just a thrown together, expanded, last minute meal.

And it was good.

So thankful for the move to be closer to the girls and for this place with the Party Barn that we can use in occasions like this one.

We are blessed.