Absolutely 100% positive. You'll get bits in your beer if you don't. All those bits have got to settle to the bottom, leaving the beer "fine".

Is there anywhere shady or indoors we can put it, with wet towels all over it? Is there a boathouse about, where we could set up a trestle table?

I know you lot complain that we Brits drink "warm beer", but it actually doesn't improve it if it really gets warm!!

I may be a bit late, as a nor'easter is forecast to be headed our way, and I am coming on my friends' sailing vessel. They are reluctant to cast off in this weather, in such high winds. Anyway, I have the crab cakes and Virginia wines all packed up and ready to sail.

arrgh! batten down the piggie!
Hey-wait a minute-if you're getting a nor'easter, I should be getting a nor'easter...and there's no nor'easter in our forecast. What have you heard that my weatherman hasn't?

Our Tidewater forecast is calling for several inches of rain and wind gusts of over 40 mph, starting tonight and to reach its peak tomorrow, continuing into Saturday. Not ideal for sailing....

wild-usually they come right up the bay and dump upon us, but we are only to get showers-but I better get moving anyway as now I'll have to fly west and around the storms. My little copter doesn't like winds either.

Storms and winds are in the same catagory as calories in the goodies. You don't believe in them....they don't exist.

Martin, my husband has solved the problem. He has rigged up a system where by the action of a slightly swaying hammock causes little buckets of water to be pulled up from the river and dumped onto the blankets over the barrels. The breeze coming off the marsh and the overhead fans will cause enough evaporation to get the beer at exactly the right temperature. The down side to it is that we will have to take turns in the hammock. As hostess, I volunteer to go first. Pass me that pillow please.
Aggie

That's what I love about virtual parties. If I'd tried to do that for real, the rope would have broken, and the bucket would have knocked the barrel off it's trestle and into the water...

Your husband is a genius!

Well, Phew! Have I arrived on the right shores? Or am I in Australia? Africa? Is anybody there? Martin was so concerned with keeping his beer afloat and alright that he quite forgot I was crossing the Pond with him and I fell off (whatever it was I was on) - and here I am. Wherever that is.

Aeneas would have brought me, but he had a hunting engagement; and Grendal would have flown me but it's the Mating Season for dragons in these parts (you should see it!). Anyway, laverbread's nice and soggy - should go well with the roast pig; Lovecroft's under arm (also soggy I'm afraid), helmet's on head - and where are all you lovely people? Cece? Vee? Mary? Mine Hostess? I stagger forwards (what am I writing on, with, for?) A couple of pints of Martin's beer wouldn't go asunder at this moment, dying as I am of drought......

Help.....!

Dido

PS: my will is in the cupboard, should I fail muster.

Oh Dido, you poor dear!! Martin is over there getting the barrels in place. I think he thought all that stuff dragging along behind was seaweed. I'm glad you made it anyway.

Here.....have a big glass of Georgia Muscadine wine. I'm warning you that it's very sweet and will addle the old brain quickly. Maybe you had better take the rest of my shift in the hammock.

Whose clock are we using? EDT or whatever the Folks over there use? If we use both, we can stretch this party out for about 48 hours.
Agnes

Right, I'm here.

I've got the case of shiraz (and these three bottles of riesling for those who prefer white). I thought about the asparagus, and thought 'bugger it' and brought the pavlova and lamingtons instead. Oh, and some frog cakes too.

I'll have next go in the hammock if you like, it was a long trip.

Here is a link that might be useful: South Australia's Balfour's frog cakes

Woo hoo! Ok, I've got a 15 bottles of the Gamay Noir. I'm cracking open a bottle should anyone want to indulge......

Wait, here's also a few boxes of fireworks. Guess I should put out the cigar first before handling that stuff......

Hey, can someone give me a hand with these fireworks? It's hard to set these up with a glass of wine in one hand. Oh, and dibs on the Barcalounger on the dock!

Do we need to ice down any of that wine? Let's put all the drinkables over on that table by the hammock.. We don't want the ones that are working to have to reach far.

The coals for the pig are coming along nicely. By moonrise on the 6th, everything will be just right except for those of us that started early. We are going to get a nice head start!!

(I wouldn't admit it to any one while Martin is listening, but he's right. That beer really does need to settle. The dratted stuff made me look as if I had spinach stuck between my teeth.)

Piggie's on and will roast away all night-the "experts" brought their own beer, Martin-don't look-it will hurt your heart to see what they drink-and at what temperature-but keep in mind they are very close to the roaster on the barge, and the piece of sheet metal they brought to ward off sparks reflects the heat. But they'll be fine-and so will piggie. Just make sure they are downwind-you'll not be able to taste your wine for the smell of smoke and barbeque sauce-a secret recipe, natch.

when I saw the predicted temperature, I decided that mulled wine wasn't what we needed-so I made well-iced Bellini-Martinis. A bottomless pitcher of them. And to go along with these I brought the yummiest white cheddar popcorn. Really! The combination is fab. I also brought my own sling chair-since after two of these-you can't stand up. I'll just sit here and watch the roasters watch the piggie. You all can have the hammock-my chair has a footrest. yawn...and a pillow...
;-)

Day 45.
Have made land-fall at last after a tricky journey. Have noticed that full moon equals very high tide.
Lost power from engine, rigged up emergency sail and was carried ashore by a giant wave.
While giving thanks for safe deliverance I was arrested by US Customs, who claimed that kneeling and kissing the ground was an UnAmerican Activity and could well land me a long stay in an unpleasant area to the south of their Great Country.
It was also pointed out that my boat was flying a flag indicating that there was a case of Yellow Fever on board.
Explained that this was my jury-rigged sail made of a pair of voluminous draws (which my dear Mother had warned me never to be without).
They claimed my mast could be considered an offensive weapon, despite my pleas that it was no more than my wooden-leg necessary for balance.
The cheese was taken for further forensic examination as had I mixed it with engine oil, sea water, laverbread or ground knicker-elastic it would have produced a powerful explosive.
Thank God they left me with my trusty blunderbuss and 20lbs of gunpowder as they declared it to be my right to bear arms.
I claimed my friends would vouch for me which did not impress them.
Drastic measures called for.
Praise Be for the Second Amendment.

Day 46. After a night of frantic digging I have found my way to the dock and fellow merry revellers.

PS Message to Self. Hide the map, as X marks the Spot in case the Customs come looking for the remains of their buried buddies.

Quick-put this U. of Georgia Bulldogs football sweatshirt on-you'll blend right in. And an occasional chant of "first and ten, do it again" will help as well-but work on the accent-try screeching as if one of 90,000 fans. Us the pom-pom to cover up your restorative beverage.

(PSSSSTT...don't they look peaceful all lying about asleep like that!!! Electric grill all plugged in. Plenty of bacon and eggs...sausage, ham or whatever. fresh cantaloupe. They'll have to fend for themselves. I have an 8:45 appointment, but I'll get back as soon as I can.)

Vee...so glad you made it. Sounds like you had quite an adventure. I should have warned you to pretend you couldn't speak English but you knew how to pick vegetables.

Ok vee, here's a glass of wine. Now give the nice man with the wine glass the blunderbuss...... We'll have more explosions and whatnot with the fireworks later!

(You should have told Customs you could either pick vegetables or man a convenience store. They would have let you in then!)

Here I am, with four pounds of fudge (with and without walnuts) and several apple pies in tow. It's SO hard to decide between the wine and the martinis ... however, if I hope to still be conscious by moon-rise, I'd best stick to wine for now.

Vee, that sweatshirt looks positively charming on you! As .for me, please excuse the Mets T-shirt (I promise to change into something more suitable in time for the party), but my DH and DS have finally brainwashed me into enjoying baseball and it is the post-season -- very exciting!

I'm looking forward to fireworks and a full moon!

Hello, everyone! I got blown in ahead of the Nor'Easter. Agnes, I guess it's not supposed to hit as far south as Georgia, right?

Here are all the crabcakes and the Virginia Sauvignon Blanc. Hope you have some ice to put in the wine. Bon Appetit!

You guys are definitely wearing the wrong tee shirts! Take it from this old Atlantan, it has to say "Georgia Tech." :-)

Vee, what a hair-raising trip. Draws = drawers???

Dido, I had wondered if you were going to bring Grendal....Just in case, I left my Samoyeds at home. Anyway, they tend to get very seasick....

Love all that Spanish moss --- gives the party real atmosphere!

Well, here I am back and none the worse for wear.

Glad Sheri and woodnymph made it! I knew that the bad weather wouldn't dare come this far south.

Now....your lesson for today about Pirates. Any one read Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island? Part of it was written while he was visiting downtown in the old historic area. The house still stands. It's a restaurant now. It's one of the haunted places in town.

Check it out and watch the side show at:
http://www.thepirateshouse.com/

The old tunnels leading from the basement to the river still exist. They were used for all sorts of illegal and semi-honest things.

Oh my goodness -- I am SO glad to catch this at the last minute. My StarTrek transporter will get me there just in time from the California coast, where it is foggy and 55 F. I am in desparate need of a party, virtual or otherwise, and have brought along tart apples, and extra sharp cheddar to have with oat crackers, and then a late harvest riesling and DH's killer pumpkin mousse pie (with a carmelized pecan layer over the whole wheat crust). The very nearly full moon was breaking through the low clouds last night here; very evocative of misty fens.... Fuzzface the dog will provide the atmospheric howls... (but is oh so friendly and cuddly, as long as you give her bits of the cheddar).

Perhaps some port and dark chocolate (as we are planning to do in our Sukkah next weekend) will round out the evening...

(can you tell it's been a long, hard September here? she wimpers...as she grabs a plateful of crabcakes - oh shades of her Virginia homeland...mmmmm....)

litlbit

Mary,

No, Grendal is off in hot pursuit of a dandy little female dragon he spotted - pomegranate pink and all teeth and tail - you know the sort. I expect he'll stagger back sometime before Christmas. He never will learn. So you could have brought the Samoyeds

See you soon, I hope.

Dido

Well, here you all are! Please don't point the blunderbuss at me. It's a U of L tee shirt I'm wearing, not a real cardinal. And here I thought you would be bird watchers, not hunters.

My Devil's Food Cake with Orange Frosting has survived the drive. On my side of the mountains, beautiful fall weather has arrived, but this luscious frosting made with Cointreau may mean we need to find a cool spot for the cake. Where is the dessert table with all those little frogs, anyway?

How come all the overseas visitors are so wet? Maybe you should have sailed on the virtual Queen Mary.

Dyno, thank you for the wine and cece for the sweatshirt, is this from a game that requires spittin' on the pitch? I'm sure I can manage that. And I'll use the pom poms to cover my confusion.
A glass of Bellini -Martini sounds wonderful I have never had either . . or in combination! We English tend to keep our drinks pretty simple hence the popularity of Martin's beer. Lots of Wadsworth's sold in this part of the country.
Agnes thanks for the pirate info. No wonder my parrot feels so much at home.
As I write a Harvest Moon is, in real time, shining between the clouds . . funny to think of it waiting to start beaming down on you in the States.
Agnes, in the UK we are 5 hours ahead of East coast US time.
A strange moment to give you a lesson, but the divisions of 'time' used to be called Greenwich Mean Time (now known as Universal Co-ordinated Time). The Royal Observatory was based at Greenwich from where the 0° meridian starts.
Ok I know that isn't very scientific but after several glasses of this excellent *.@&% who's listening anyway. ;->

Well it's been nearly 36 hours and I can't wait any longer.

Pour the first half-pint and throw it away (it's got all the bits trapped in the opening of the tap and is quite undrinkable.)

Now pour the first pint, hold it up to the light, admire that beautiful colour (with a "u") and the slight effervescence - caused by the brewing process - none of this forcing Carbon Dioxide through it to make it fizzy. Note how clear the liquid is. Nice head - not too big.

Now take a good swallow. Aaaaaah!

Repeat at leisure. We've got two barrels - that's about a hundred and fifty pints. Should be enough.

(How anyone can drink Budweiser is beyond my comprehension....)

Ok Martin, how about a straight exchange? Here's a bottle of the gamay noir and you pour me a pint of that beer.

Oh, and can someone pass the spiced roasted almonds? They go well with beer ..... or at least some of the canapes? If anyone needs me, I'll be by the dock quaffing this excellent beer with a bowl of the roasted almonds. (And some cheese on the side .....)

Hey, anyone bring some double or triple cream Brie? Or some Oka cheese (also known as "stinky socks" cheese)?

Here -- there's some in this cooler....... No, you don't want your dog eating THAT cheese. I think dogs have enough sense not to eat something that smells THAT bad. ;-)

Pass me a crabcake, s'il vous plait .....

And I really shouldn't light that cigar near the fireworks, should I?

anyone checked the pig lately?? I know those guys are supposed to be professionals, but they look a little bleary eyed to me and I don't like the way they keep falling in the water.

Martin, I have it on good authority that because we are so much closer to the equator, beer settles out much quicker. That's why it's so much better here than you are used to. Have some more....thank you, I believe I will.

Pig's ready in about another hour.
Here you go veer: not a headache in the glass.
Bellini Martini:

Fill a shaker with ice.
1/4 c GOOD vodka -best if stored in freezer
2 oz. peach schnappes
Shake thoroughly, strain into a martini glass-cherry on the bottom if you'd like
float 2 oz. champagne on top.
YUM! Really does taste wonderful against the counterpoint of a good white-cheddar popcorn, baked brie (coming up-did it in the coals of the piggie) anything salty or tangy. Not real good with sweets-so I'll bag my desserts and hide them for later!

Mmmmmm. May I have one of those martinis after all? I'll keep it limited to one, promise! Though with a virtual party I can stay virtually sober, right?

I'll have a bit of the brie, too. And who had the crabcakes, please?

I've lost track of who's here and who's still to come. We can put janalyn's clams and other seafood on the pig coals when it's finished.

There are supposed to be some Wild Rice croquettes around too. We have got to start eating, folks, or we're going to be drunk and skunks.

I tell you what, the last time I saw so much food and drink was at a wake. I'm still not sure what we did with the dear departed.

I'd love some cheese to go with my shiraz while I'm waiting for that piggie.
Martin, I'd love to try your beer, but unfortunately, I just don't like the taste. Didn't think you'd hear an Aussie say that, did you?
Vee, glad to see you got away, here, have a frog cake.
That kip in the hammock did me the world of good, and I'm raring to go, in best party fashion.

I haven't got any university gear, so I've worn my Adelaide Crows polo shirt, even though we didn't quite make it to the grand final - good excuse for another glass of red!

Here Astrokath -- a nice glass of a peppery gamay noir from the vineyards of Southern Ontario! How about a bit of brie and oka cheese to go with that?

I'm wearing my trademark Hawaiian shirt, even though it's a tad nippy with just a Hawaiian shirt, slacks, and espadrilles ....

That beer's quite good ...... but it's not strong enough and it's a tad filling. (Sorry Martin!)

I'm switching to cosmopolitans and (mmmmm.......) Tequila Sunrises. Man, those things are addictive. Anyone for a tequila sunrise? It goes well with the nachos and dip.

Hey, who brought the stuffed mushroom caps? Wow ....... these are good.

Who has the lanterns? Wait -- the tiki torches will do. Just make sure they're away from the fireworks!

Scattered plates, napkins and glasses around me attest to the amazing assortment of foods and drinks....now as I stretch my toesies to the fire-pit, and snuggle under a nice heavy fleece blanket, I'll gamely try to keep my eyelids open. Having not slept well, or enough, for weeks on end, just nudge me a little if you hear a little snore...I'll revive in a bit to toast the moon, the fireworks, and these wonderful travelers and fellow bibliophiles!

litlbit

PHEW!!!! I'm glad I got here before all the food was gone and while some of our revelers were still up to conversing! This is a wild one... but I see the moon's about to begin shedding its light on the festivities.

I put the ice cream in the freezer, the Ohio island wine on ice, the homemade apple turnovers near the fire/coals to stay warm, the grapes are in the basket, and the NC goat cheese is on the table with some crackers.

Now... to dig into some of this scrumptious fare and meet all of you. Esp glad to see the boat arrived safely from across the pond...

Roll right up and try a pig roast sandwich-take a roll, fill it with pieces of lovely pork, ladle on some of the secret sauce, add onions if you like (I do not) and top off the bun-enjoy. There's Philadelphia potato salad for the side dish. I'm told beer is the perfect accompaniment, Martin-so let me know what you think. I'll take a very dry white wine if there's any open.

Ok, now it's time for the fireworks ........

Who's got the starter? I'll go and start the festivities. If I don't come back, you guys can have my cosmopolitan! ;-)

(rows off to light the fireworks off in the bay)

my favorites are the "chrysamtheumy" ones. Hope there are lots of those.

And off they go!!! (Good thing a lot of those fireworks had VERY long fuses!)

Ok, now I need a drink. How about a tequila sunrise?

And pass the nachos please. ;-)

Day 47 and Counting.

Am back in the boat with the engine fixed thanks to the piggie-roasters handywork and heading out into the Atlantic. That was certainly some party. Agnes you get A+ for the entertainment. How long did you say you had been learning belly-dancing?
What a diversity of unusual food. Only in the good old US of A could champagne and popcorn be served together.

So far no Customs officials in sight (I wonder why) but I have a useful phrase book here that Dyno leant me "Me no speeka da henglish but I picka da fruit reel good"

Kath, in case my compass gives up I might sail right over to S Aus. By the time I reach your shores it may well be time for some big Aussie fest and an excuse for another 'do'. At the rate I'm going maybe Christmas on the beach!

OK People!!! When you feel as if you can manage to move, there's the annual Oktoberfest going on in the city today. Lots of food (if you can stand more)lots of beer (just in case you didn't get all you wanted last night and this morning) and music from an OOMPAH Band. The Big thing every year is the Weiner Dog Races. They had over 200 of the darling racings last year. It's down at the River Front Park in the Historic District. You can hang around here as long as you like, just eat up all the leftovers and drink all the booze and tidy up the place. I'm going to take a long nap.

Thanks everyone for making this a blast...a literal one thanks to Dynomutt. I'm sorry I didn't mention that you should be careful about sparks and all that dry marsh grass. My husband says you can keep those pants....he doesn't want them back..ever!

I took scads of pictures for those on the RP that had to stay home. Unfortunately, I left the camera on the railing and it got dumped in the water when someone got a little too excited. I really didn't think my belly dancing was THAT good!!

That Pig Roast was exceptional.. I simply must get me one of those roasters for when all the grandkids come over. Then I would have an excuse for making them eat outside.

That little thunderstorm that popped up was rather exciting, wasn't it? You'll have to admit that 30 mminutes of watching lightning over the marsh was not your usual party entertainment. But, it was over quickly and the moon came out just beautifully.

Take care on the way home,
Aggie

a

Owwwww........ Anybody get the name of that bus that hit me?? Oh, right -- it was the tequila express......

Nobody told me there'd be days like these. Wait, they DID tell me. Something about wages of sin?!

Thanks for the pants agnespuffin or should I say thanks to your husband! I mean, who knew? Alcohol, tequila, fireworks, and dry marsh grass ....... who knew they shouldn't be mixed together?

Good thing the camera fell in the water -- I vaguely have some memory of dancing around in the marsh grass while holding two Roman candles in one hand and a tequila bottle in the other. Flashbulbs were, I seem to recall, going off like crazy. Then the grass caught fire -- I'm ok though. I can still have kids. ;-)

OK -- so who's up for steak and eggs with Tabasco sauce? (And lots of buttered toast!)

There's some pig left-make sandwiches for the road, all those who are on the way home-it's yummy cold as well. I'm going to take the chopper and drop a care package for Vee-including a bottle and some more cheddar popcorn. I TOLD you it went great with champagne! Be back soon.

I think I got a bit lost, after the fireworks. I'm not looking forward to sailing home toward the Nor'Easter now hitting the Chesapeake Bay.

Carolyn, your cake was to die for! CeCe, is that sauce on the pork a special Maryland BarbeQue?

Thanks, everyone for a great bash!

Ave atque vale....

pennsylvania dutch recipe, actually.

Would you like to share it?

...and then you hold'sh glassh up t' light >hiccrashhic

Ok, Martin, you just take it easy now. We're going to let you just prop up there in your little boat and then we'll push you away from the dock. The outgoing tide will do most of the hard work for you........Here, the tap for the last of the barrel is right there by your hand. I rubbed some sunscreen on your face. Sorry your hat blew away fighting the fire.

You guys take care of Martin -- I'll be over here in the hammock nursing a nasty hangover, not to mention a few burns.....

Hmmmmm....... I signed a liability release form before the party, right? ;-)

Great party though! Now if only I can remember some parts of it .... darned tequila......

Oh, crap. That tequila's coming back up ......... Gangway! Where's the porcelain goddess?! !!!!

It really is secret-every "company" that caters pig roasts around here has their own.
I must admit when I do pork on the grill (not the whole pigge, just the best bits) I use a bottled sauce.