The Long Walk

Yesterday marked yet another visit by friends and family who were eager to meet the Wombats. This time, we had family members from from three different countries converging on New York to check these little punks out.


Representing Canada was Jen's Nana.


From Switzerland was Uncle Gregg, who arrived just in time to hold Elliott's limp, sleeping body.


And, formerly representing Canada, Jen's father came from the good old United States of America, giving him home snuggle advantage.


Jen's father also brought a good amount of Canadian beer with him, giving him home Nate advantage as well.


This morning began with the normal fussing followed by Martin having the most unbelievable Poopsplosion™ to date. I thought I could smell something unsavory in the air, but by the time I figured it out I felt a wetness in my lap. Indeed, this Poopsplosion™ was so intense that Martin and I both needed a complete outfit change, and Martin needed to be hosed down in the sink.

Though the temptation was strong, I did not hose myself down.


After lunch we decided to head out to pick up the farm share. This walk was just a little over a mile. The walk there went great. We got there, picked up our vegetables, met a triathlete, then headed home. Immediately on turning back, however, Martin began what would be his greatest fuss to date.


I tried carrying him for long stretches but nothing helped. After a while he set Elliott off and the two of them screamed as if we had tossed a live porcupine into each of their car seats. After getting home we fed them and they slept. It turns out they were hungry!

We never learn.


This week's farm share consisted of tomatoes, broccoli, summer savory, red onions, peppers, spinach, carrots, tomatillos, plums, peaches, and nectarines.


After a brief unplanned nap I put out this cheese slate with honey, Kunik goat cheese from Nettle Meadow (Gregg's favorite), Tumbleweed from 5 Spoke Creamery, and the Dorset from Consider Bardwell Farm, the silly-named farm we enjoyed cheese from just the other night.


I think I've worn this salad out over the course of the summer but it's so delicious that I just can't stop making it. I used primarily items from the farm: tomato, red onion, and summer savory. Items not from the farm: avocado, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper.


For the main course we stopped by the meat market and picked up some sweet and hot Italian sausages which I grilled. I also grilled up some corn and shrimp. In a pan I rendered some bacon, tossed in some crushed garlic, summer leeks, chilies, sweet peppers, and potato. I threw in the corn and shrimp at the end with a tiny bit of butter and summer savory. The farm chilies were a little hotter than I'd anticipated but the dish was quite nice.


While everyone enjoyed some rose I poured myself a Raging Bitch from Flying Dog Brewery. I've been avoiding this beer for a while just because I found the schtick of naming the beer something like this a little tiresome. But on the strength of their Wildeman Farmhouse Ale I've been trying more of their stuff lately and this one was pretty good. It had a very intense floral scent combined with citrus notes and a slightly bitter aftertaste.


All in all it was a fantastic night. Who knows when this assemblage of family will ever get together again? All I know is it's totally worth having babies just to trick odd assortments of family members into coming to visit you.

You've been duped, family!