525,600 Minutes: The Name of the Game - Lemon & Lime Launching

The 2nd Annual YuccaFest went off without a hitch! Last year we had 110 lemons and limes and 10 sun tea jars so that each couple had their own batch of yucca. With the heatwave of 2011 and the air conditioning not working, some batches didn't come out quite right. So this year - we "revised" the "Yucca Process".

The Dad and I bought 40 lemons and limes and brought up 4 of the sun tea jars. We prepped and squeezed and got all of the ingredients into three of the four jars - thinking that would likely be sufficient based on the consumption last year. We also didn't rely solely on yucca and water as beverages and made sure we had wine, beer, gatorade, soda... Not everyone will love yucca. Even though it is a sneaky, refreshing, "lemonade" if made right! We saved 10 each of the lemons and limes for a 4th jar if needed... though mostly, I bought them with a different idea in mind.

The shaking commenced, the amazing food on the table all but ignored during the shaking and making of yucca... not to worrry - it was all but gone by 1:15 this morning. We shook, we passed, we shook some more, we added more ice, we laughed. And then we drank. We had the perfect amount for 24 people and it tasted exactly as it should. Perfection on a nice warm night on the deck. Better yet, a perfect cloud cover came over the region just as the cool of the house was not jiving with the cool of the beverage. It was time for some heat.

And the heat was on. The teams were drawn for the Holy Board tournament - which, I am happy to say, I was on the winning team... I'm known to be a skoche competitive, and it paid off. Winning is awesome!

Earlier, when we were getting the yellow forks and napkins, the green plates and cups and the "prizes" for the competitions, the green and yellow paint for the washers for Holy Board I told The Dad... "We currently have 30 lemons and limes. I have an idea for another "game" so we should get 10 more of each." And we did. Sure, we could have used it for a 4th batch of yucca - but I was hoping it wouldn't come to that....

So you know - if you read this blog ever - that Dan the Dog has a pool. It sits 35-40 yards from the deck in the back yard. Dead center. I thought it would be fun to see who could toss the lemons and limes into Dan's pool. Kind of like "Closest to the pin" contest. But with the slant of the back yard, a few large rocks under ground... the bounce wasn't always kind. The back fence (fortunately to county property) sliced a few of them up. What we expected to be a round of "Lemon Launching" turned into about FIVE rounds and people with their phone flashlights down in the back 40 seeking the tossed limes and lemons to bring back up for the next round. Laughter, hilarity, lemons, limes, friends, family fun for all! Music on the deck until the early morning hourse - THIS morning. Last guests leave at 1:15. Haven't been up that late in a long time... because after a bit of pick up to make sure the dogs couldn't "snack" all night - it was 2 a.m. and I was tired. <yawn>.

We're already looking forward to YuccaFest 2013!