Sunday, June 3, 2007

Mandy Monday......

Hi Everybody, Pretty quiet in bloggerville this past week-end eh? In lieu of Musical Monday, I'm changing this weeks post to Mandy Monday. For those that don't know, My daughter Amanda has been in Prague Czech Republic, for the past year studying in a foreign studies program through the University of Michigan. For the last 2 weeks my wife and a mutual friend, were also in Prague visiting my daughter. They traveled to a few places, but for the most part it was just to help her get ready to come home. It was cheaper to book a flight out of Amsterdam, so my wife, her friend, Mandy, and her Prague roommate, spent last Tuesday and Wednesday partying in Amsterdam......Amsterdam! The one place a fellow like me should be! What a shame it was to waste it on a bunch of strait people.....Anyway, everyones flight left for home on Wednesday, except Mandy's, hers was not scheduled to leave until Thursday evening!
So I had to travel the 1 1/2 hr drive on Wednesday to pick my wife up, and make the same trip to Detroit Metro on Friday to pick up my daughter.

On Friday, my wife and son picked me up at work, and we all went to Metro to pick her up at Noon. Boy was I glad to see my baby! (Although she had her 21st last month and I missed it)
When we picked her up she was starving, and she just had to go to Detroits Greektown, which is another 20 miles in the heart of Detroit. But since it's been a year.....You guessed it, we went!!
We did have a real good time, and we came home to many stories of her great adventure...
One of her stories was, that to save money that last night on her own, she booked a room at a hostel for 16 Euro's. The only problem was, that it was in the 'Red Light' district and Street Hawkers trying to solicit tourists for their 'club', kept her up all night with their incessant sales pitch... So she only got about 3 hours sleep her last night!
But Friday when she got home, she had her friend Katie come over, and they went to a concert!!
Nothings Changed A Bit!!!

My wifes brother Joe, is a retired carpenter and he and his wife live right next door to me.
He has been in Arizona all winter, and only just got back this week himself. My wife was thoughtful enough to invite them all over for a BBQ today. So I had a houseful of people all day long. I made Home-Made Yukon Gold Potato Salad, a Spring Mix and artichoke heart green salad, and I slow roasted on the Weber, a huge beef brisket AND a pork butt!..I roared them for 8 1/2 hrs, lemme tell ya....... they were tender!!
So since Mandy is a vegeterian, of course I had to grill her some terriake tofu...
That was my week-end, I'm very tired, so long for now, and I shall return tomorrow with a vengence...Hahahaha.....Peace ....Galen

38 comments:

javajazz said...

dear Chef Galen;
you are a supreme human being
and an awesome daddy too!
xoxo
ps welcome home Mandy...!

Anonymous said...

The food sounds delightful and I envy your daughter her youth and energy :)

Little Wing said...

Welcome home Mandy!!!!!!!!

The BBQ sounded fantastic! I make the same potato salad, sometimes I use the little red potatoes, I love 'em!!!!!!

Mandy sounds so cool!!!!!

Evalinn said...

I knew u were gonna throw a party and do some great cooking. How nice to have them back home. Do tell us more stories of her trip!

Mona said...

GALEN! You must be Super Human!!!!!

& I feel so happy for you about your reunion & the absolutely wonderful celebration afterwards!

My your life be everfilled with the joy that you so well deserve!

S said...

Oh man, more food that I have missed. Coming over here always gets me so hungry.

Welcome home Amanda!

ann said...

Galen, this is a lovely post... brought back wonderful memories of happy times in Amsterdam in my single days...

Sounds like you had an ab brill time... there is something precious when the children return from their longtime travels... older and wiser and hungry and broke and cases of dirty laundry!

Still I'm glad your little girl is home safe and sound and it sounds like you celebrated in amazing style

lotsa luv ann xxxx

G-Man said...

JJ, I love you.xoxox

Jeanniegirl, thank you for your kind words...
Thanks for stopping by again.

Jadey Rose, Sounds like you had a great day also.
Thanks sweetie xoxox

MilkMaid said...

What an eventful weekend! Welcome home to your Baby Girl!

G-Man said...

Mona, I'm just an old fat biker that loves his family and likes to cook!
And loves Mona..xoxox

Susie, I would love to feed you!! Thanks xoxox

Ann, I sure know that you can relate!!
Thanks for the visit. xox

G-Man said...

Milkmaid....Did you finally get to ride?

Anonymous said...

It's great to hear your daughter is finally home.
What a busy weekend. Enjoy the time with your daughter and Galen.
tc

G-Man said...

Mornin Son, What a soggy week eh? I hope you got your lawn mowed.....Galen

SignGurl said...

You didn't call me for dinner? Now I'm all depressed (and hungry).

Hope you and your baby are making up for lost time.

{{smooch}}

Anonymous said...

It should be so nice to have all of them finally close by for a nice diner! And the food sounds too good!!!

barman said...

Glad everyone is home all safe and sound. How special will this be for your daughter from now on. Studying abroad must have been some experience.

As to the waisted comment, I know what you mean. I was in Amsterdam when I was 16. I went with the High School Band. There would be so much more to do now. That was sort of waisted for me but still, nice to have made the trip.

You continue to be head chief. Most impressive. Of course you would have a Webber. The prime rib we have every year in Kentucky is always done on the Webber. It turns out so awesome. They do a real good job, especially under the hands of a master.

See you around G.

Queenie said...

Oh,G-man it all sounds wonderful. My son is 24 ( I was a child bride) but he will always be my baby.
We had a BBQ at the coast yesterday , but yours makes mine look like a snack.
I love Amsterdam, we usually get there once a year. We spend most of the time visiting the museums, but must admit having a stroll along the Red Light area!!!!

javajazz said...

i love you too, mr knowitall...xo

ps. thank you for your kind support
re our little fiasco here....
i now have a million Pedialyte
popsicles armed and ready
in my freezer, Dr. Galen...

pps, my son was especially
impressed by the openly passionate
people in Amsterdam...
(step away from the red light, Poopy,
step away...)

xo

jillie said...

Talk about Murphy's Law!!! Maybe they can't handle you in Amsterdam...lol! I could only imagine...it would be like a kid in the candy shop gone wild.

Sounds like you had a great wknd and hopefully you'll get some needed rest today.

Who luvs ya g-man!

S said...

I'm here, is breakfast ready yet?
I'll bet its eggs, bacon, pancakes, fresh squeezed and cinnamon rolls.

Yum!
I'll just sip my diet coke here and pretend that I have some food...

S said...

Oh yeah, I am fresh out of new Rufus movies until someone sneaks a better camphone into his new shows.....

Serena said...

How great to have your baby back home. I'll bet it was a tiring weekend, but tiring in a GOOD way. LOL at Amsterdam. My God, is there anything sexier than a man who cooks?:-)

lime said...

welcome home mandy!!! your daddy adores you adn is so proud of you and happy to have you home! and we all think he is just tops.

oh and 'pork butt' *snicker...that always makes me giggle.

G-Man said...

Jenn, I wanna go out to lunch with you and Barman again, and this time I'll buy...xoxox

Searabbit, I can't tell you how great it is to everyone back..Thanks Jo, and the food was great!!!

BARMANN!!! Even you were in Amsterdam?...Damn!!!

Queenie, If I lived in England, I'd be there every year too!!!
According to my calculations, you got married when you were 12!

Lisa, Uncle Galen is always at your service!!
xoxox

Jillie, Maybe Amsterdam can't handle me?
Jildo, loves G...xoxox
And Vice-versa!!!

Susie, I'd be glad to make that for you. How do you like your eggs?
...Sorry about Rufus.
xox

Sherry...A hot, talented,
very pretty Red-Head is much sexier...Thank You.
xox

Michelle, It was one of my better efforts I must say..Thanks sweetie.. xox

Serena said...

I'm so glad you think so because I can barely boil water.:-)
xoxox

Spoony Quine said...

` Mmmm. Tender pork butts... wait. I was thinking of something else. Nothing.

` (BTW, I have some unusual new 'art' up.)

G-Man said...

Serena, you don't need to. I will be your personal chef....
Whats your pleasure?

Sequine...you do art?
Hahahahaha...
I'll be right there!

Serena said...

Oooo, baby! What woman in her right mind would turn down a personal chef? If you're cooking, maybe some shrimp? You could throw a potato on the grill with them and maybe whip up one of your famous salads.

Mona said...

Galne! Good morning! LOL @ comment @ tc's & I left a mystery there for you to unhook..er unzip!

The Rogue Kitchen Witch said...

*huggles G-Man* always a pleasure to see you on my page.

DA

barman said...

Boy we have Pork Chops on Lime's and Pork Butts here. I didn't know it was pork day. No one told me.

Breazy said...

Awwww! Glad your daughter is back home! You know, I don't think it matters how old our children get because they will always be our babies.

I am so happy that you have yours back home again!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

feels like I need to pull a sweater out of storage today.lol
Have a great day my friend.:)
tc

MilkMaid said...

Good morning G...yes, we did ride, both Friday and Saturday. I had a small tangle with a bee, I won but boy did he give me a fight LOL...I blogged about it if you pop over.

Have a great day!

G-Man said...

Serena Joy,
Your wish is my command!
Gladly....

Mona, I love starting every day off with your beautiful face...

Angel, I must give you pleasure everyday...

Barman,
Yeah there sure is lots of pork floating around here...

Thanks Breazy, it good to be back to normal chaos....

OMG..TC, is this November?...Hahahaha, Naw, just Michigan!!

Milkmaid, I'll be right over...G xoxoxoxox

Mona said...

Galen I promise to use twin pines to good use for the betterment of human race. No wreaking havocs here! so no worry. & I am sur TC will tell me how to!

Serena said...

Music to my ears... :-)

Queenie said...

Not quite that young, this is theUK..