never have i been so thankful for the impending 4 day weekend. i love how busy i've been but i feel that a break could do me wonders. i am also thankful that we will start the weekend with a clean house. tonight is my-favorite-dad-in-law's (mfdil) birthday celebration, and we are having the whole fam over for dinner.

as is cutomary when the in-laws visit, i spent the weekend sweeping and scrubbing and in the kitchen chopping and baking. now i must say that i have some of the most fabulous in-laws in the world, and they would be extremely forgiving if they found a dust bunny or two - but somehow the martha in me comes out when they are coming over. so now - other than the dishes that the big guy will certainly do as i have cooked dinner - we will have a nice clean place to start the long weekend.

i am also thrilled with the menu of tonight's meal - i have a crown roast of pork that is currently brining in the fridge. the big guy saw a crown roast in a magazine and promptly bet me that i couldn't cook such a thing, knowing full well that i would the next chance i got. the butcher shop at new seasons did a fabulous job in tying me up a beautiful 12 rib roast. i hope i do it justice - this will be a first for me.

last night we had beef for dinner, just so i could get the pan drippings to make mfdil's favorite - yorkshire pudding. we will also have a salad - possibly with breaded and toasted chevre rounds and toasted pinenuts, and a loaf of hearty bread.

so i am grateful that the week is short and that the house is clean, and that the big guy will have surely swept some leaves by the time i get home... happy monday.