Mexican delight

In July 2020, we had Scott, Cori and their boys over for lunch. It was an excellent day. I’d not met any of them before (Mirinda knows Scott from work) but I felt I’d known them for years by the time they left us to g0 home. Finally, after much cajoling and allowing for the various vagaries of the virus as well as our global location, we went for a return lunch today.

Mirinda decided we should go via the countryside rather than the sterile motorways, so we set off on our long drive across country. And, to be fair, while it was a lot longer, it was very attractive. Mind you, I think the dogs were concerned we were headed for Sweden again given the length of the journey.

We finally arrived and sat around chatting before Bridger had to leave for a friend’s place. Cade was studying, but Asher was very much in attendance. In fact, he’d made the excellent guacamole, which was decimated with numerous corn chips. It was seriously good. In fact, it was so good that I didn’t get a photograph quick enough for anything but the final scrapings.

It went beautifully with the tortillas and various Mexican bits and pieces prepared by Cori. I do love Mexican food. I particularly love the fact that it can be eaten with fingers. So much more satisfying than a knife and fork. Mind you, when I mentioned to Scott that I think it’s perfectly okay to eat your food with your hands if it’s possible. Scott asked about fillet mignon. I see no problem in that as long as it’s not too hot.

Speaking of meat, I particularly loved Cori’s shredded meat. A lot better than my usual Mexican-ish mince concoction. Clearly, I’m going to have to up my game when it comes to our next taco night.

Having stuffed ourselves with food, it was time for a very muddy walk with Susie, Emma and Freya. Freya had been a bit wary of the massive Susie but, once a walk was announced, she forgot any misgivings and headed for the door.

I didn’t go. It was considered a bit too muddy and uneven for poor, unbalanced old men. I sat, happily mud free, sitting on a chair, reading and drinking beer instead. It was very pleasant as the house was very quiet, not too warm and the chair was very comfortable.

In front of me was a mysterious door with a guitar and a ukulele hanging on it. I later discovered that it was a door off Cori’s grandfather’s house. The house she’d known well from her childhood, was torn down and reduced to nothing but memory. Well, apart from one door which she asked if she could have. It has since travelled the world with them.

Most people have somewhat smaller mementos, but I really love the idea of the door. One can easily imagine it’s the entrance to childhood, with your grandparents just the other side. Cori added the stringed instruments.

After the muddy walkers returned we were delighted to devour dessert. Asher had outdone himself with a chocolate brownie pie with pecans. It was unbelievably rich and worked very well with ice cream. I’m not sure I could have created such a glorious baked thing when I was 11. He is a wonder.

Over coffee, we all chatted about various things, including how Asher felt about Buffalo Bill Cody and his buffalo killing spree. Ash thought it was very enlightening that Cody felt more empathy for the wild beasts than the Native Americans he wanted to get rid of. His legend is a lot kinder than the reality, according to the exhibition in the Yellowstone National Park museums.

Sadly, it was eventually time to pack up the puppies and drive home. The trip was a lot shorter because we took the M25.

What a splendid time we had. I am now planning a Swedish meal for a return visit.