One special event we really enjoy is a trip to the beach with friends Charlene and Eggless Chad each year. We camp out for the night a stone’s throw from the water on Rose Beach Line on Lake Erie.
Charlene’s aunt and uncle own the property and graciously let us make use of it.
This year’s visit was different, with additions and subtractions.
The subtraction was the traditional large bonfire we enjoy. Just before we were to leave for the beach Friday afternoon, the municipality issued a fire ban.
No big bonfire.
Wandering around the beach after dark without a nice big fire lighting up the night was a bit of a challenge. Many of us ended up using our flashlight apps on our cell phones to find our way.
And who joined us in droves this year? Mosquitoes. A night by the water for us has always led to mosquitoes just after dark, and just before dawn. But this year, they came out in clouds.
We’d hoped the hot dry weather that led to the fire ban would have cut down the number of blood-crazed bugs, but it didn’t.
Picture people on a warm night in their hoodies – not because they were remotely cold, but rather to help limit the amount of exposed skin.
I brought a Patio Shield by Thermacell to help combat the mosquitoes. I honestly cannot yet give a definitive review on this product, as there were just so many mosquitoes in the area.
We all got bit. I was closest to the Patio Shield, which uses a heated repellent mat to repel the mosquitoes. I don’t think I got chewed up anywhere near as badly as others who sat further away, especially our daughter.
Brenna, quite simply, is a mosquito magnet. She had on insect repellent, and still had her ankles gnawed on to the point they were swollen for the rest of the weekend.
We ate very well; the mosquitoes ate very well.
Despite their presence, it was a very fun evening for the young and old.
But my hip eventually acted up, forcing me to head home early. The beach took a battering over the winter, and much of the sand was pushed further up the beach, creating deep, soft sand. Walking on the uneven surface eventually took its toll. After a poor night’s sleep, I went home early, missing out on the Saturday fun in the sand and in the water.
Sizzling festivities
The recent sweet weather (between heat waves) had me out and enjoying the backyard, and that meant there was a barbecue day at the Corcorans.
After getting the grass cut, the patio cleaned up and the furniture washed off, I lit the Big Green Egg. It was a multi-course affair, and it certainly was tasty!
My sister-in-law, Jane, and her son, Connor, joined us, along with our daughter Brenna and her boyfriend, Matt.
We had more than enough food to feed three adults and three teenagers.
It began with chicken wings, something I love on the barbecue, but had not done in some time. A good sprinkling of Tsunami Spin seasoning on the wings does wonders with flavour. But it also smells divine as they’re cooking.
We followed the wings with asparagus that was wrapped in prosciutto, with cream cheese. If you have never tried this, I suggest you do. Eight minutes on the barbecue at about 350 F, turning once.
I have a hard time cooking enough to satisfy our daughter, let alone everyone else.
Once the appetizers were out of the way, we switched to chicken kabobs and sausages from Schinkels’ Gourmet Meats. Very tasty.
Somehow we managed to have room for a small sampling of desserts from The Dutch Market.
I was ready for a nap, but…
Cutthroat cards
Friends Charlene and Eggless Chad invited us over for beverages and cards that night. We laughed and played until after 2:30 a.m. (that’s late for me).
They are always great hosts, and fun to hang out with, despite the fact Chad still doesn’t have an Egg.
