Chapter 155 – A Nice Relaxing Lunch
Once everyone was seated, Gran looked between her husband and nephew.
"Shall we pray so we can enjoy this wonderful meal." Father Mark said.
Everyone bowed their heads.
"Heavenly Father." Father Mark prayed. "Thank you for everyone's safety as they came here today. We asked for continued protection. We ask that you bless our afternoon with friends and family. Keep us safe as we go riding later. Finally we ask that you bless this food to our bodies and bless the hands that prepared it. Amen."
Several amens rang out. As they started passing food around, Gran looked at Nathan.
"Nathan, please explain what you made for us." Gran said.
"I made bacon jam." Nathan said. "It is basically bacon, onions and brown sugar. I added maple syrup to one. That is the one with the red spoon."
"How do we use it?" Bill asked.
"I just put a little right on top of my pork chop and eat it like that." Nathan said. "I also like it on potatoes. Whatever you want."
"It smells wonderful." James said. "I am going to have to definitely try it."
They had grilled pork chops, breakfast potatoes, corn on the cob, and fresh greens with chopped veggies in a salad. There was also a macaroni salad with onions, celery and tomatoes. Kathy had also made a potato salad. They also had additional cut up veggies and fresh dinner rolls. There was plenty of food and as they ate, the conversation was light and fun.
After a few minutes and everyone was trying the various items on their plates, Bill looked up at Nathan.
"I need to know the recipe for this." Bill said, pointing at the bacon jam.
"I already have it." Abigail said.
"Very good." Bill said with a smile.
"Which one did you try?" Nathan asked.
"Both." Bill said. "I like the maple one a little better."
"Me too." Nathan said. "I like the play of sweet in it, but I made the regular since I know not everyone likes that. My friend who taught me also would make it with bourbon or Jack Daniels."
"What kind of bourbon?" John asked.
"He had done several kinds." Nathan said. "The last one he did that I remember was with a honey bourbon. It was good, a little sweet. He has also mixed Jack Daniels and maple syrup. Really you can do anything. If you are going to use a bourbon or something like that, you can cut down on the balsamic vinegar and don't use the water."
"I noticed that when you were telling Becky how to mix things." Abigail said.
"If you don't like it as thick." Nathan said. "You can use a little more liquid. The recipe is just a guide really."
"It is really good, Nathan." John said. "Devin was right, you are a treasure trove of hidden talents."
Nathan ducked his head as he blushed.
"We didn't get to talk about it last night." John said. "But did anyone try any of the juice or ciders from J&S orchard?"
"They were good." Elizabeth said. "I told Jack we should get some."
"I agree." Chris said. "They were good. I think between Katie and I we tried all of them except the alcoholic ones. Though those sounded good as well."
"Good." John said. "I am glad. I wasn't sure whether it was a good idea or not."
"What are you talking about?" James asked.
"J&S is my orchard." John said. "I donated several cases of drinks for last night."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Lee asked.
"I didn't want to influence your choices." John said. "The orchard was started by my father, named after my sister and I. Her family took it over, but in the last couple years I have taken a more active role as Shirley's health declined and her son needed help. We have officially brought it back under Thornton Inc. with Shirley's son Mitchell staying on as president of the company."
"What other kinds do they make?" Elizabeth asked.
"We are working on a few others." John said. "But it takes time. Mitchell wants to plant strawberry bushes and mix those in as well. We have also planted peach and plum trees, but it is going to take at least two or three more years before they are ready."
"Now that I have bought the Miller property." Jack said. "I was hoping to do something similar. I know for a fact that they have McIntosh, Gala, Empire, Cortland and Honeycrips. I was hoping to add Red and Golden Delicious. I also want cherry and peach trees. I was also thinking about raspberry, blackberry, blueberry and strawberry bushes. I was thinking down the line of maybe adding grapes. Depending on who I have managing the property, I was also thinking of maybe a pumpkin patch."
"Why?" James asked.
"I thought the fresh fruits could be sold." Jack said. "Along with the juices, jams and ciders it would be a good stream of income. I also know that there is not a pumpkin patch close by."
"I think it is a good idea." Bill said. "If you do it right, you can do pretty good with those things. I mean it is seasonal income, but done right it can carry the farm all year. Not that you have to worry about money."
"Is there enough land to do all that?" James asked.
"There will be in a couple more weeks." Jack said.
Everyone stopped and looked at Jack.
"What did you do?" John asked.
"Not only did I buy the Miller property." Jack said. "I have also bought the two hundred acres that they had sold. I also have put offers on the table for an additional eight hundred acres across the road from the Miller property. Some of that was part of the original Coal Creek. If I get those eight hundred acres, I will only be missing one hundred fifty acres that used to be a part of Coal Creek. I have been in contact with the family that owns them and they have agreed to give me the right of first refusal if they decided to sell."
"So we are going to have close to three thousand acres." James said.
"Yes and no." Jack said. "What is Coal Creek right now, will remain Coal Creek as I would never change that name. I have been bouncing around another name for what was the Miller property and the additional acres that will be used for fruit and vegetables."
"What is it?" Peter asked.
"I am not ready to share." Jack said. "I think I need to talk to my bride-to-be first."
"Have you thought about who you want to manage?" Bill asked. "I mean unless you are going to be up here all the time, I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to have someone living on the property."
"I thought of that." Jack said. "We officially take possession of the land at the end of July. Elizabeth and I have talked a little about what we want. We still need to talk more about things, but I was thinking of building a new house. I know that the one they have is not very big and it would need a lot of work."
"You are right there." Bill said. "It was built in the late seventies and I don't think it has ever been updated."
"I would also need to have the barn/stable inspected." Jack said. "We will need a commercial kitchen for the jams, ciders and juices."
"I can put you in touch with Mitchell." John said. "Maybe you can work together."
"I would be open to that." Jack said. "I think we could have both companies and be successful. Fruit and stuff grown here is going to have a slightly different taste than items grown in the Albany area."
"He is right." Bill said.
"I think if you market them right as sister companies." Nathan said. "It would benefit both of you."
"I couldn't agree more." Jack said.
"You have been busy." James said. "Don't forget that you promised that you would actually get a degree."
"Elizabeth and I have talked about that as well." Jack said. "I am looking at getting a master of finance degree as well as my MBA. The program is five or six years."
"If that is what you want." John said.
"It is." Jack said. "I want to work with the horses, but I also want to have the fruits and vegetables not only for us, but as an income stream. What was it you taught me, Grandpa? Hire the right people and it makes your job easier."
"You are right." John said. "I just don't want you to spread yourself too thin."
"I know." Jack said.
"I won't let him." Elizabeth said.
"Good." John said. "I told you that I would support your dreams, so if you need help, please ask me."
"I will." Jack said. "We can't do anything until we take possession of the land. Then I need to bring in a professional horticulturist team to look over everything. I have also contacted a structural engineer firm about the barn and other buildings that we will need. I figure that the farm can get built up while I am in school. It is going to take a few years to turn it around."
"Let me know if there is anything I can do to help." Bill said.
"I will." Jack said. "The names you have given me already have been great."
"I am sure that Katie will help in any way that she can as well." Nathan said.
"Thank you." Jack said. "I look forward to sitting down and talking to her."
They continued to talk about future plans as they ate. There were several more questions and also many suggestions for Jack. He made a few notes, but he also knew that he had time to do things. The last thing that he wanted was to overwhelm Elizabeth. Cody had finished eating and crawled up in Nathan's lap and fell asleep. He looked so comfortable sitting there holding Cody while they ate and talked. As they finished the meal, Gran and Abigail started putting things away. Elizabeth and Katie also helped put the food away and clear the table. When they were done, they came back out and sat with everyone else.
"Should we play some music or what were you thinking?" Bill asked.
"I am fine to sit here and visit." John said. "I also wouldn't mind some music."
"Can I go watch some TV?" Peter A asked.
"If you and Becky want to go watch some TV." Gran said. "That is fine."
"I took the password off." James said.
"Half hour." Abigail said. "Then please come check with us."
"I can pull out the game system if you promise to share." Jack said.
"No thank you." Peter said.
"I am good." Becky said. "I might just lay down for a bit."
"That is fine." Abigail said.
Jack looked at his watch.
"It is twenty to one." Jack said. "How about we plan to go riding at about two thirty?"
"Sounds good." Nathan said.
"Then you can watch TV until then." Abigail said.
"Want me to take Cody?" Peter asked.
"He is fine here." Nathan said.
Peter nodded and then he and Becky headed inside. The rest of the adults moved over to the couches and more comfortable chairs closer to the fireplace, even though they weren't going to light it. They sat and visited about various things. Bill and Abigail were filled in on what happened with Thomas and Charlotte as well as Tommy. They talked about some of the horses that were racing and the ones that Jack was going up to Canada to look at. By two o'clock, most of them were ready to move. James called down and had a dozen trail horses brought over so everyone could go for a ride. They had even talked Abigail into going since Gran was going to go.
After getting Peter and Becky, they headed down to the stables to get the horses sorted. Cody had woken up the moment that Nathan stood up when they were getting ready to head down. He looked up at Nathan.
"Horsies?" Cody asked.
"Yes." Nathan said. "As soon as your brother and sister come up, we are going to go for a ride."
"Yeah!" Cody said, bouncing in Nathan's lap.
As they were heading down to the stables, it was the general consensus that they would break up into two groups. John, James, Bill, Peter, Andrew and Chris wanted to head over to the track and the thoroughbred stables. Nathan, Doug and Lee were going to take the ladies and kids over to see the mares and foals. Jack had been looking forward to a little time with Elizabeth. Father Mark caught part of their conversation and quickly got into action. He talked to Nathan and Chris. It was agreed that as long as he went with them, they could go off toward the retirement center. Chris asked Rob to ride either with the group heading to the track or to see the mares. Rob decided to go with the large group. They had decided to all meet back up at the house in an hour to an hour and half for snacks and music.
As the stable hands helped get all the horses tacked up and people sorted. Father Mark went over and told Jack the plan. He immediately smiled. Jack saddled Honey and helped Elizabeth saddle Lemon Drop. Father Mark got one of the other horses brought down. He was on a lovely bay gelding called Magic. The three waited to mount up. They saw John, James and their group off. They also watched Nathan on Athena and Doug on Ghost lead the big group over to see the mares and foals. Cody had happily been seated in front of Nathan.
A/N here is the salad. I have made it several times. It is a nice one for potlucks.
Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
2 cups dry elbow macaroni, cooked, rinsed, and drained
1/3 cup diced celery
1/4 cup minced red onion, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes, drained
1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup diced vine-ripened tomato (optional)
1/2 cup prepared mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 tablespoons sour cream
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, celery, onion, parsley and tomato, if using. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, vinegar, sour cream and salt. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve. Store covered in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.