A modest domestic party

Our good friend (and vicar) John is working hard to upstart a new business, the website of which will go live next week.  Nathan and I intended to hold court at our place, but when John realized he needed to continue working on Thanksgiving we decided to move our cooking party to John's place to as to blend with his sewing party.  The result was a calm and pleasant day.  I was particularly proud of my pie, which was the first time I've made the entire thing, crust included, from scratch.  Hazzah!

I made:
- kale chips (eaten as an appetizer, not pictured)
- Red Red (spicy bean stew of sorts)
- roasted potatoes with rosemary
- nom nom nom pumpkin pie (from scratch, including my first crust)

Brant made:
- green bean casserole
- bacon
- supplied giant smoked turkey wings

Kevin made:
- stuffing
- cranberry sauce
- rolls (warming in the oven, not pictured)
- pecan and chocolate chip pie

John made:
- torch-finished the smoked turkey wings

Nathan made:
- an excellent supervisor ("Can I eat it yet?  How 'bout now?  Um, and now?")

Seems more appropriate to celebrate with my face stuffed: Wowwrrah!

Team Bush Smarts - TNF Marathon Relay

Nathan ran the marathon relay along with John, Todd and Liz.  Each ran something around a 10k (6+ miles), with an ankle band used as the "baton."   

Nice job crew!  T'was a successful first race for team Bush Smarts.  Every time I looked at my watch after 11:00 a.m. (relay start time) I thought of you guys.  Glad you enjoyed yourselves.

Here's their experience in photo montage, in order of events.

Todd, John and Nathan pre-race.

John and Liz pre-race.

Nathan at the start

Nathan midrace

Nathan - the quad showoff shot

Nathan in the finish chute

Nathan in the finish chute, John awaiting

First exchange, Nathan to John.  Great body mechanics, boys!

John takes off after the exchange

John getting upright, game face already in action.

John midrace

Quintessential John

John in the finish chute

John headed to the exchange with Todd

John with a cowboy swagger, with Todd hidden behind attaching the ankle "baton"

Todd midrace

Todd midrace

Todd in the finish chute

Todd at the exchange with Liz

Liz starting out

Liz midrace

Liz sprinting the last stretch

Liz even with her prey

Liz with a big leap ahead for the finish

Bush Smarts after a good day's effort.  That's my bum on the right while attempting to stand up about an hour after my own finish.  Thankfully you can't hear groaning through a picture....