Tent City: Meet, Greet, Eat -- Sweet!

(photo by Dan)

In Maine for Molly and David's wedding, 20-30 of us (I'm guessing based on the number of tents) camped out in Molly's mom and stepdad's backyard for the weekend of festivities.








(photo by Dan)

Inside our tent, I was able to try out Dan's new camping lantern, hung from the ceiling by a few items meant for the taming of hair-dos.




We had games, port-a-potties, a sink, an outdoor shower, a swing, chairs, friends, babies, dogs, and more. It was so glorious.



Mike tended the fire throughout our stay. S'mores were had here. And S'morks (pulled pork s'mores minus the marshmallow). Drinks were drunk around this fire. And singalong songs were sung. Ukuleles and guitars were strummed. Soles of shoes were melted in its heat, so loath were we to back away from the blaze.



Ever-accommodating, Molly's parents created as luxurious and festive a camping environment as I've experienced. We enjoyed tables and chairs and shade and sun.



Dogs and babies got along swimmingly.




Speaking of swimming, some went to the beach. Others sat and relaxed. Still others discovered that one cannot rent a keg in Maine with an out-of-state ID (or passport).




Bride and groom pig cookies appeared.



So many flavors! One wedding guest described these as hallucinogenic in their audacious composition.



One evening there was a vegetarian lasagna many times bigger than Kyle's head. It was grander than grand.




(photo by Dan)

Would you be surprised if I told you that the fifteen-year-old baker responsible for the pig cookies also made a red velvet groom's cake in the shape of an armadillo (in a nod to Steel Magnolias)? James learned the hard way that the thing that looks like a rock in the photo above -- is a rock.



(photo by Dan)

Here's another view (it's partially eaten at this point).



(photo by Dan)

There were bagels. There was coffee. Babies enjoyed toast and eggs. The morning of the wedding was all about quickbreads, quiche, ...



(photo by Dan)

and baked beans.




A good and tasty frolic was had by all.

Poetry Tuesday: Molly and David got married.

(photo by Dan)


Ceremony
A day as bright as love,
As the bride is bright, as the groom is bright, as the
Blankets thrown down to serve as rafts
For friends on the great, green grass.
We sail the field, tambourines shaking in joy,
Grins thrown open, wide skies of smiles,
Strummed music humming our expansive hopes,
Tears of large, happy witness and small, secret wishing.
Our parade of sweetness progresses through tall grass,
and they are at its head.

Reception
Receiving us: peppers, farm flowers, kittens,
Small, tart apples and gamboling calf.
The world opens its stores in the wake of this coupling,
Heirloom tomatoes like jewels, lobsters laying down their lives,
Salads rare. We are so prosperous!
Blue and gold coins of cheese, precious as the fading light.
Treasure fills these chests and overflows,
Overflows.

Icy Frolics
Gingered ice cream, Maine blueberries, lemon cake,
Sweet and tart and warm and heavy on our tongues.
Taste this, this green wine, fresh in youth;
This is their life, may it ripen with age and care.
We hold them in our hands, we take them in, they cover us,
As do our shawls and scarves and necessary hugs.
A night once cold as an empty heart now warmed by
Dancing, colored frocks, and music
Made by all of us.



















(photo by Dan)



(photo by Dan)


(photo by Dan)















(photo by August Heffner. Used with permission)