Brutus got to share his dog house with the great nieces on Sunday

September 7, 2015 - Monday - Labor Day

66 degrees/rain showers/calm winds

Pentoga Road

And just like that, the annual Labor Day weekend gathering of the Mighty Milligans has come and gone. It was a good one, a day filled with happiness, food, and love. Hugs and kisses were abundant and laughter was mandatory.

I awakened very early this morning, at 1:30, with a stuffy nose and a sore throat. No matter how hard I tried, sleep wouldn't come. Rather than flop around in bed and wake up Sargie, I decided to come downstairs. Hopefully, I'll get sleepy fairly soon. If not, it's going to be one mighty long day.

Our day began early Sunday morning. I helped Sargie by going over the floors one last time before heading out to the barn and firing up the charcoal and wood smoker in which to prepare the pork loin.

Adding hickory chips that have been soaking in water onto the top of the charcoal.

In years past, I've smoked a lot of meat; roasts, turkeys, chickens, and fish, but I'd never smoked a lean pork loin. Yesterday's weighed ten pounds, a big one. 

How to keep it moist, yet make sure is was throughly cooked? Bacon! 

Almost two pounds of bacon was wrapped around the loin and as many already know, bacon makes everything taste better. It's one of my major food groups.

I used a meat thermometer for the first time in my life yesterday. I've always shot from the hip when smoking meat and have been fairly successful, but the thermometer took any guess work out of the process.

In the end, the pork loin came out just fine. 

I prepared two large lake trout, a couple that were caught last fall, in much the same manner. Lemon slices, bacon, and all sorts of Sargie's herbs and spices were applied before both fish were wrapped in foil and placed upon the grill.

Sister-in-law, Jeannie, was elected head of the lake trout committee and did a great job of grilling the fish to perfection.

Sheri was my assistant when I fried fish filets and soon, all the food was on the kitchen counter and it was time to eat.

If anyone went away hungry on Sunday, it was their own fault. Everyone brought something delicious and in the end, there was enough to feed all the starving third world countries and more. 

We lucked out in the weather department. Though it was very humid and sticky, the rain stayed just off to the west all day, affording those who wanted, the opportunity to sit outside.

We had so much fun on Sunday. Pictures tell the story much better than I can.

Anticipating rain, Auntie Sargie had bought colors and coloring books for the munchins. Time was spent at the dining room table as well as playing outside.

It was late afternoon when everyone began meandering towards the driveway. With full stomachs and leftovers in hand, it was time to say goodbye. The Labor Day gathering of the Mighty Milligan Family drew to a close.

There's a lot of talking going on here between Yooper Brother Mark, Ross, Holly, and Sargie. Sheri and I... well, we're just innocent, silent, observers. 

Sargie and I had a short and quiet evening last night. It sure felt good when we finally crawled between the sheets.

Though the doctor isn't in, the Vision Center is open today and Sargie has to work. I'm not sure what's on my agenda. Other than walk my usual three miles, there's some electrical wire to run and another circuit to tap into for the new shop in the barn. If it quits raining, I may possibly go to town and see what Mark and Sheri are up to. 

Then again, I may simply do nothing other than think deep thoughts and ponder the secrets of the universe. 

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...