House or apartment guests — I love them.
Several weeks ago, my nephew and godson, David, and his lovely wife, Jen, and their two kids, David Patrick and Lauren, came to visit and stayed with us in the city for several days. (I was, like, 13 years old when David was born! My family is so big that it gets complicated. His father, my brother, who is ten years older than me, got married at 21 and started having kids right away. David is number two out of seven, and therefore we are not that far apart in age.)
This family, they were the perfect guests! Really. They didn’t mind if dinner started a little late (I think I was a little bit ambitious with the meal planning considering it was on weeknights), they were easy going, helped slice garlic, cut potatoes, clean up and brought plenty of wine. What more could one ask for? When they left, we truly missed them. They were so much fun to have around and I was delighted to have a chance to get to know their kids a little better. They live in my hometown of St. Louis.
David Patrick is 14, about to enter high school in September and is really interested in cooking. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a chef. He was so exuberant about my food. I loved it! The second night, my dinner consisted of homemade Caesar salad, roast pork tenderloin with sage, mint and caramelized onions, roasted potatoes and ginger honey carrots. He sort of danced on the seat of his chair and said, “Aunt Mary, I want all of these recipes,” as he circled his plate!
Lauren is 12. Not a fish lover, she was digging the Caesar salad until she figured out that there were anchovies in it. Here we are at the table. Jen is taking the picture and too bad you can’t see my husband.
Now this is the best part. Right after dinner on the first night, Lauren jumps up from the table and asks if she can please clean up the dishes and wash the wine glasses!! Yeahhhh!! Here she is with her mom.
As I said, wonderful house guests!!
Caesar salad
Buttermilk Marinated Roast Chicken with Tarragon and Dijon Mustard
Best Biscuit Recipe
Gnocchi for a Birthday Party!
Fiddlehead ferns
Looks like fun and you’ve got to love good house guests. What a nice gathering and the food looks delicious.
apuginthekitchen recently posted…When Cooks Get Together-An End Of Summer Potluck Part II
Thanks!! 🙂
I’m checking out your post now!
That dinner looks like a lot of fun and isn’t it wonderful having family come to visit? I’d LOVE to see my family more than once every several years.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…Rack of Pork Roast With Crackling
It is wonderful!! You are so far away from yours. 🙁
I’m checking out your crackling – love the crunch!
Alway great to share food with family! That Caesar salad looks great, BTW.
Alex Suarez recently posted…Ruben Fries
Thanks!! I’ve been perfecting my Caesar. Recipe to come soon!
You certainly treated them to some delicious dinners.
Roger Stowell recently posted…A story of O…
Thanks!! 🙂
Isn’t it great to see a young man or lady interested in cooking? The young man that lives above me is 15 and his high school offers a cooking curriculum, something unheard of when Aristotle taught me. 🙂
ChgoJohn recently posted…The Bartolini Family Risotto
LOL!! It is so exciting to see that young enthusiasm!
The cheese shavings on your salad look delicious!
yummychunklet recently posted…ad hoc chocolate chip cookies
Thank you!! (a micro planer)
How nice to have a nephew so close to your age. 🙂 What a wonderful gathering. It’s always precious to spend time with family and loved ones.
Amy Tong recently posted…What We Did This Summer….
So true!! I am lucky!
Lovely story and beautiful photos. I love having guests also. You made a great dinner for guests, no wonder they loved it.
Jovina Coughlin recently posted…California’s Other Little Italies
Thanks Jovina! 🙂
Let’s trade a few family members!!
You are so funny!! What I didn’t mention in the post is that my nephew also fixed one of our toilets!! The bathroom that they were using had an issue, so while they were touring the city, he found a Home Depot, picked up the part and came home and fixed it!!