A day in the Kitchen

I feel good about yesterday, although it had its ups and downs.

Ray left early, as I was beginning to work on the next batch of buns. Amelia arrived from Kevin's before he left. She and I took the dogs for a walk, including Maggie, who is very timid with other dogs. Osa was barking at her and chasing her and she was skulking behind Amelia's legs. Some of the time she was enjoying the wildness, smelling and exploring. She is allowed to stay in the house while the other dogs are shut in the breezeway. She slept most of the morning.

Amelia and I talked a lot about the wedding and the food. She sat at the counter with computer and notebook, while I made the best buns yet, as well as birthday cake for my Dad--the traditional Freeman one, with citron, that most kids don't like. I also made and froze six pie crusts--before lunch!

Actually, lunch didn't really happen. Amelia had to take me into town to get the car from Ray's parking lot and drive to the police station to report the accident. Before we did that, we dropped the truck off at Kevin's (since we were using his car), so he could drive himself over to Kenney Ridge while we were gone--and run intervals.

Julie (the driver of the other car) had agreed to meet me and there she was. We went inside the police station and waited 15 minutes or so for the people ahead of us. We met with Officer Black. Julie has cooperated fully, without being very apologetic. He did not look at the cars or fill out any paperwork, since they were not at the scene. He just gave us a form to fill out that should satisfy the insurance company. He seemed impressed at how well we appeared to get along (calling us "civil"). He thought we must have known each other or been related. She filled out part of the form. I told her I would let her know before I called the insurance company. The policeman seemed to think it would be better for her to just pay for the repairs, to keep her insurance from going up. He thought mine would, too, but I'm pretty sure it won't. She said it was completely up to me.

I was pretty annoyed to have to deal with that, especially right now. I certainly hope Gini is doing okay. I think I will be fine.

Amelia and Ray and I went to EarthFare and bought some things, most importantly the chicken I cooked for dinner last night. My Dad was at the house when we got there, in his nice clothes. I set to work making Coq au Vin--well, first Ray set to work cleaning up the kitchen for me. I froze the morning's rolls. After the coq au vin, I made cauliflower curry and plain rice. That gave Amelia something to eat and the rest of us a vegetable dish. We also frosted the cake and put candles on it--not 86, but 14. Can you figure out why?

Amelia had to run over to Kevin's and Ray had to take a nap, but eventually the 5 of us had a lovely dinner (with Kevin even eating everything on his plate!) The cake was tasty, although some people picked out the raisins. Then we played Hearts until almost 9:30. My Dad was tired, but seemed quite happy. I was very pleased with myself to get all that done. Now, on to today's challenges!