Chapter 285 – Supper Post Saturday Show
Once they had everything ready, people started to find a place around the table. Trish and Father Mark put two Dutch ovens on the table with a family favorite – goulash. It was a wonderful beef and noodle dish. Gran had added cheddar and mozzarella cheese to both. There were also baskets of fresh garlic knots along with the fruit and veggie trays. Not only was the goulash a family favorite, it was easy and very filling. The boys liked it because it was pasta the night before a competition.
Father Mark lead them in a prayer and then they started helping dish up food, so they didn't have to pass the Dutch ovens. As they ate, they talked about how the show was going and how the boys felt about the competition the next day. The guys were feeling pretty good. There were twenty-six registered for each of the two classes on Sunday. So they all knew that it was going to be another long day. As they were finishing up, John looked around the table, but it was Gran who beat him to it.
"We need to go over the plan for tomorrow." Gran said. "We also need to touch on people's plans for the week."
"I was also thinking we need to talk about tonight." John said.
"How about JP, Maddie, Missy and Lee start clearing the table." Gran said. "At least get the food put away and then we can talk."
"That works." James said.
The group Gran mentioned got up and started clearing the table, making sure all the food was put away and water for tea was started. Once the food was put away and the majority of the dishes cleared, everyone sat back down.
"Let's start with tonight." John said.
"I really don't want to go." Missy said.
"If Missy isn't going, I don't know if I want to go." Maddie said.
Missy said something to Maddie quietly that no one else could quite make out. Maddie assured her it was fine.
"Good." Chief said. "I was hesitant to let you go anyway."
"I would prefer if none of you went over." James said. "But I won't outright say you absolutely can't go. You are adults and can assess the risks for yourselves."
"We are worried." John said. "Because it is open to the public, it will be hard to keep the press out, even though it is technically on private property. Devin said he couldn't guarantee anyone's safety if they went over and strongly discouraged at least JP and Elizabeth from going over."
Jack took Elizabeth's hand.
"I know that you wanted to go." Jack said. "But I have to agree that it would be a risk for us to go over there."
Elizabeth squeezed Jack's hand.
"As much as I want to go over and spend time with people." Elizabeth said. "I am more concerned about being safe."
"Are you sure?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "It was different to sit down with people at the arena, at least I knew that security was checking who was coming."
"I agree." Nathan said. "When it was opened up to everyone, it made it impossible to keep press out. Now, I am not saying that you won't have a right to kick them out, but that might be a bigger scene than not going at all."
"We technically weren't hosting the bonfire." Lee said. "It was being hosted by Marco and Andy. They opened it to the area jumpers."
"Nathan." John said. "As much as I don't want you to go, I will understand if you want to go see your friends for a bit. I know that Devin said him and some of them were going for a while."
"I will see." Nathan said. "Thank you. I have spoken to Devin and Greg. They invited me to go out for a ride with them on Monday night. Devin brought my bike up and it is out at the RV park."
"Please be careful." Gran said.
Nathan turned to Gran.
"I know that you don't like them." Nathan said. "But I promise I have gone faster on the horses then I have on my old bike."
"As long as you are careful and don't bring it into my garage." Gran said.
"Yes, ma'am." Nathan said.
"So about tonight." James said.
"I might go over for a bit." Frank said.
"I will go with you." Father Mark said. "We will be careful and not stay long."
"Thank you." John said.
"What is the plan for tomorrow?" Gran asked.
"I was planning on Mass about nine again." Father Mark.
"Okay." Gran said. "So who is all coming?"
"After speaking to both of our sons." James said. "They agree that they and their guests would be going into town. Chris said he wasn't bringing Emily back on this property because he doesn't want to make things worse for Nathan."
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"Yes, thank you." Father Mark said.
"So again." Gran said. "Who is all coming here?"
"Everyone currently here." John said. "Also the Averys."
"Father Mark." James said. "Are you okay not spending time with your parents and siblings? We will all understand if that is where you want to be tonight or tomorrow afternoon."
"I am fine." Father Mark said. "I have spoken to them and they agree that helping Jack is more important. I am fine. I don't think it would be good for me to be around Emily and Dad understands that right now. He told me to stay here and help Jack and his friends."
"Very well." James said.
"Thank you." Jack said.
"Getting back on track." Gran said. "So it sounds like we are mostly going to be staying here tonight and Mass at nine tomorrow. Is there enough room to have it in the front room like last week."
Jack closed his eyes.
"Yes." Jack said. "Because even if Caitlin came, there would only be twenty people that is counting Father Mark as well."
"Then we will have it in the front room again." Gran said.
"I have the music covered for the morning." Jack said.
"What time do you need to check in?" Chief asked.
"Anytime after eleven thirty." Lee said. "Since the course it the same for the two classes and the height will just be raised, it can be walked early with the first group or just before their class."
"Sounds good." Doug said. "Maybe we can bring the horses down early and check in."
Jack nodded.
"As soon as you have your jumping order." Gran said. "Please let the rest of us know."
"We will." Jack said.
"Even thought there is no show next weekend." Gran said. "We have a busy week so can we get a quick run down of people's plans, even though we will go over things more each evening."
"I will be leaving to drive back before lunch on Monday." Chief said.
"I am not sure if I am leaving Monday or Tuesday." John said. "There are things that need to be taken care of before then then. I know that I have to be back here for the races on Thursday. So will just have to see how the week goes. I might be staying and just sending Andrew back to grab some stuff."
"That is fine." Gran said. "Just let us know."
"Nathan and I have a meeting after lunch on Tuesday." Father Mark said. "We will be heading into town, but it will be fine."
Gran nodded and Nathan just looked at Father Mark with a confused look. Father Mark just raised an eyebrow at Nathan and he nodded.
"Don't forget as John said the races start this week on Thursday." James said. "I would love for you all to come out, but I understand if anyone doesn't want to potentially deal with the press. I do have season passes for everyone."
"Let's see how the riding goes this week." Doug said. "But I was thinking Saturday might be fun to spend at the races."
"As far as the races go." Gran said. "Let's just see how tomorrow and Monday go before we start making more plans for that."
"That sounds like a good plan." John said. "James and I have to be there with Conrad, but the rest of you are not required to be there."
"Anything else we need to know about for this week right now." Gran asked.
People around the table shook their heads.
"We will check in and update people each evening." Gran said. "Trish, Abigail and I will be working on making salsa as well as tomato and pizza sauce this week. I have around five hundred pounds of tomatoes coming Monday and Tuesday, along with the needed items to make about two hundred pounds of that into salsa. And before anyone asked, yes we can have some of the salsa later this week. I will make sure to pick up some chips when we make a grocery run."
"We can help." Maddie and Missy said.
"I will help as well." Elizabeth said.
"Thank you all." Gran said.
"Just tell me what you want me to do." Frank said. "I might be able to drive just yet, but otherwise I am here to help in anyway that you need."
"Thank you." Gran said. "I will take all the help I can get this week, especially because we might be needing to do some baking as we get later into the week. So we will just have to see how the week goes. Not that I am complaining, but I have had a lot more houseguests for the summer and for a lot longer then I had originally planned."
"Then if there is nothing else." James said. "You are free to enjoy evening once the kitchen is cleaned up. I am going to stay here and tackle some more paperwork."
"Me too." John said.
"Hold up." Gran said. "Is everyone agreed that we do breakfast casseroles tomorrow and then either waffles or something quick this week for the mornings?"
"Sounds good." Jack said.
There were nods from others around the table. The group from earlier went to finish cleaning up the kitchen. When they were done Trish, Frank and Gran went to the kitchen to make the casseroles and a few other things. Frank wanted to make muffins. He had double checked with Gran and picked up the needed items when he had been in town earlier in the day. While Frank started the muffins, Gran and Trish made three casseroles – bacon, sausage and French toast. Frank started with the bran muffins and then was planning on making pumpkin spice muffins. He knew that they would be fine in the fridge for the week. They had the extra room with the three extra fridges in the garage. Also he liked muffins with yogurt some mornings. While Frank was cleaning up from making the muffins, Gran and Trish sat down and started looking at what they had planned for the week and what they would be needing from a shopping trip. The planned to spend Monday morning in town getting what they needed as well as picking up some of the tomatoes and other things from different farms.
While the group was working in the kitchen, Doug, Lee and the twins went downstairs to watch TV and play on the Ipads. Chief decided to join them as he missed his girls and they would be gone most of the summer. Jack and Elizabeth went to sit and talk in the library. They left the doors open, but it was fine. They were just talking about different things and sharing about themselves. Father Mark grabbed his laptop and was working on something at the table as well. The three men at the table didn't speak unless they needed to, but it was okay. They all had their own things that needed to be done.
Nathan had taken a moment to check something on his phone and then headed downstairs. He got dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans, a henley and then grabbed his club jacket. He had tucked both of his pistols in place and had his phone in his back pocket as well. When he walked back out into the sitting room, Chief just looked at him, but didn't say anything. Both Lee and Doug caught the look. They also saw the look on Nathan's face. They would have preferred that he stay home, but they also knew that he was a big boy and understood the risks. When Nathan got upstairs, he double checked with John and James that it was okay that he headed over to the bonfire. They told him to be careful and stay in touch. They watched as Nathan slipped his club jacket on and walked out the front doors. James waited a minute and then turned to John.
"Should I be worried?" He asked.
"No." John said. "Nathan had a good head on his shoulders and I doubt that he will be gone long since he is jumping tomorrow."
"For what it is worth." Father Mark said. "I think he really needs time with his other friends tonight. I can't and won't say more, but he will be fine."
James and John nodded.
… … … …
Author's Note: Here are the recipes. The goulash is something that we had a lot growing up. Almost every large family gathering had some version of this, because it was easy and fed a lot of people. Also I love the Pumpkin Spice Muffins. I make them all the time, year round. I have used both canned and fresh pumpkin and prefer the texture of canned.
Easy goulash recipe
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 lbs. ground beef, lean
3 tsp garlic, minced
2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
2 15 oz cans petite diced tomatoes
3 cups beef broth
3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 tsp seasoned salt
2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
3 bay leaves
2 cups macaroni noodles, uncooked
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
Add olive oil to large pot over medium-high heat. Add in the onion, bell pepper and ground beef then cook until beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat and return pot to stove top. Add in garlic and stir until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, bay leaves and dried macaroni noodles. Stir and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a light boil and stir occasionally until the pasta is tender, about 20 minutes.
Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese just before serving. Enjoy!
Easy Homemade Garlic Knots
Ingredients
1 cups warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon yeast
3 cups flour
1 tablespoon salt
Garlic spread:
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon parsley, minced
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
Mix warm water, sugar and yeast together. Let that sit for 5 minutes. Add flour and salt to the water, sugar, and yeast. Mix this until smooth and let it raise for 10 minutes. I used my kitchenaid mixer with the dough hook and it was so easy and worked great! On a floured surface, roll your dough out about 1/2 inch thick. I used a pizza cutter to cut the dough in half and then in strips (about 8-10 inches) for the garlic knots. Roll the strips in your hands to look like ropes and then tie in knots. Place the knots on a greased baking sheet and allow them to rise for another 10 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. While they are baking melt the butter and mix with garlic powder, parsley, and olive oil. As soon as the garlic knots come out of the oven, brush the tops with the butter garlic mixture. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and enjoy!
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Ingredients
1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted (4 Tbsp; can substitute with a neutral oil)
1/2 cup (130g) pumpkin puree
1/3 cup (66g) brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon (12g) turbinado or granulated sugar for sprinkling on top
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425F (218C). Line or grease every other cup of a 12-cup muffin tin (recipe makes 6 muffins; using every other cup creates better air flow and taller muffins). In a medium bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together wet ingredients: melted butter, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet and stir together until a batter forms. Stir until just incorporated; do not overmix. Optional: Let batter sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before scooping for tallest muffins. Spoon the batter equally into the 6 muffin cups. Top each with a generous sprinkle of turbinado or granulated sugar. Bake for 5 minutes at 425F (218C), then decrease the oven temperature to 350F (180C) WITHOUT opening the oven door, and bake for 12-15 more minutes until domed and set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a couple crumbs attached.
Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy!
Bran Muffins
Ingredients
1/2 cup (113g) water, boiling
1/2 cup (43g) bran cereal, (not flakes, preferably a wheat bran)
1/3 cup (67g) vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 1/4 cups (150g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup (99g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
3/4 cup (128g) raisins
1 1/4 cups (283g) buttermilk
1/4 cup (53g) light brown sugar or dark brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 cups (128g) bran cereal (not flakes)
Instructions
In a small mixing bowl, pour the boiling water over the half cup of cereal. When cooled, mix in the vegetable oil and egg. While the water/bran mixture cools, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the raisins. In a large measuring cup, combine the buttermilk and brown sugar, and stir into the dry ingredients. Stir in remaining cereal, then the softened bran mixture. Cover the batter and refrigerate it overnight. When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375F for 15 minutes. Line a muffin tin with papers, and spray the insides of the papers. Or just grease the muffin cups themselves, if you like a crustier muffin edge. Stir the batter once or twice, then scoop a heaping 1/4-cup of batter into each prepared muffin cup. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven, cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes before removing the muffins from the pan.