Fibermania

The Trip, The Food and the Gift

Dave's choice for the day was a trip to Hebron IL and the Royal Oak Orchard, a pick your own place named for this gigantic burr oak. Hebron is just inches away from the IL -WI state line.

The apple trees were loaded with Jonagoreds, Libertys, and Galas, with a few Yellow and Red Delicious thrown in for the purists. There were also peach trees, long ago picked clean.

Row after row of perfectly tended apple trees.

There were also plenty of squash

and gourds of many kinds

and especially some that induced fantasies.

There was a petting zoo with chickens, bunnies, lambs, cows and this adorable alpaca.

Despite it being a school day there were busloads of first and second graders and their moms in mini-vans. Only a fraction of the minivans in that parking lot.


We decided not to pick apples since we have an uneaten bag in the refrigerator at home, so we returned to our own kitchen for the birthday feast.

We prefer to feast at home rather than a restaurant, since the couch is so much closer, after a cocktail or two such as these. Giada DeLaurentiis from the Food Network suggested this concoction the other day. Half champagne and half fruit nectar. I couldn't decide which nectar to use, so I got both. I figured this would stretch out the champagne, making the meal completion possible (since I imbibe while cooking).

A nice Lamb Rib Roast was the main attraction



I liberally covered it with Jim Beam Bourbon Mustard, black pepper and bread crumbs.

Roasted at 425 until golden brown and deglazed with a bit of merlot. Heavenly.

Other menu items included pan roasted sweet corn, cut fresh from the cob and sauteed with chopped garlic, hot salsa and finished with butter and cream. Green beans almondine, of course also graced our plates.

And then instead of a birthday cake, I went to the Italian bakery section of our international food store and got individual pastry treats.



Eclairs, Napoleans, Cheesecakes, Cannolis etc etc. More variety and less cost than a boring old cake.

A slice off each one and then seconds. Coffee helped wash this down, and then the drooping eyelids confirmed it was nap time.

When we woke up it was time to open Dave's gift.


I got him an mp3 player that shows pictures and has FM radio besides all the tunes we have on three computers. It is smaller and weighs less than mine and I am way jealous...how can I justify getting one for myself?