I can bring cut up fruit.

My mouth is watering already. Clam chowder and fruit.

Some of us can only go a couple hours without some type of food to keep the sugar levels even. Don't want anyone passing out.
I'm telling Cliff that you are making your famous clam chowder Kevin.
He is laughing and cheering.

Is Safeway on the way to Kevin's? There French bread is so good and dipping into chowder would be to die for!!!

I have one just a few minutes from my house. I can bring the French bread.

Free food is very tempting...

OK clam chowder it is! I will try to provide some appropriate "fixings" to go along with it. My mom would be happy that I'm sharing a bit of New England with you all although I have to buy West Coast clams now, not quahogs.

If anyone is deadly allergic to seafood we can do a plan B too. i make a mean chili.

OK I'll let you hash this out!

Kevin

My mouth is watering. Mmmmmm, Kevin's clam chowder. Does that work for everyone?

Kevin's Homemade clam chowder and quibbling about West Coast clams versus quahogs (what are they)?...Not me! Anything homemade is fine by me!
And homemade chili and hash too?...We won't need to go to Robert's Crossing!

Oh no, can't miss Robert's Crossing.

No it will just be a bowl of chowder. By the end of the day, you'll need real sustenance. We might go an hour later though.

Speaking of, do you want me to organize a dinner on Friday evening?

Stay cool.

Kevin

Okay everyone, do you want to go to dinner on Friday night? If so what type of food?

Simple food, nothing fancy but good.

but we are going to take into account that some people will be coming from Patti's? Don't know how far she is from Salem?
So dinner not that early (like Robert's Crossing dinner)???

Dinner definitely can't be early, not after going to Dancing Oaks, Garlands and Patti's place.

How about something like Olive Garden?

Wow everything sounds so exciting!! Kevin you are so generous!! Thank you! Clam chowder sounds great!
Dinner on Friday sounds good, but agree something light and easy/close by (Olive garden is fine)
Julia - yep gotta get up way early! (don't want to stay up too late on Friday then cause we'll be tired!!)
Going to be fun
Lynn you have me just so excited about the mystery guest! Hooray for surprises (actually I don't really like surprises but this one is fun!)

Chris we will be thinking of you for sure!

Yay! Can't wait! I live about 30 mi south of Salem, maybe 45 min from Olive Garden. It would be great if Toby brought semps to sell!

Right now I am in Newport, Rhode Island, where Jaime and I rented a house for 5 days. Baby Gunnar is adorable and I am loving my "Grammie" status

Olive Garden is usually a ZOO and there are more interesting and light places here in Salem too. Marco Polo is one of the most interesting as it has vegetarian, Chinese and Italian cuisines. They can accommodate a bigger group easily too and could give us a table and perhaps a room to ourselves if we reserve ahead of time. Another new favorite is ACME, although it is smaller. You can check out both menus on line.

For Saturday night I will need a firm head count ~ March 30 for dinner. They have changed the menu a bit so I'll need to consult on the choices.

Checked the yard and there are a few losses from the heavy rains and cold earlier. Oddly it is the ones that were blooming late that have taken it on the chin the worst. The beds that are protected by a huge Douglas fir branch have no losses so maybe it diverts just enough rain to keep them happier. Even after 50 years of doing this, I'm still learning!

Kevin

Kevin, I am finding the the Douglas Fir roots are very good at removing moisture from the soil.
I vote for Marco Polo. Their menu caters to all tastes, including vegetarian.

That sounds good.
Patty enjoy that grandbaby. Must be cold back there.
Greg how are the semp. containers? I was thinking about that, do you think you could drill holes low on the sides for more drainage?

Hey there Patti. How wonderful that you are getting to spend time with the grandbaby. How long have you been there?
Miss you.

Taking the camera out if the rain holds off. It has been quite awhile since I've taken photos of the semps.