#rivervale_lodge

It's not common among fae to talk about mortal grandparents, so she's never given them much thought for herself. (DeBukes don't count -- they're a continuum.)

Sylvi listens and nods until she gets to the point of saying, "Okay, Dad, let me just try okay?" Hands out for him to return the spatula and tongs.

"Well, if you get too good at this, I worry you won't need your old man for anything" He 'jokes', but hands her the tools and... (Kerri notices that it's with some wistfulness) steps back to lt her do this.

"Okay..." She rolls out her neck and shakes out her shoulders, ready to solo. "Hey, Dad, since you mentioned, there happens to be a lawn chair right there." Subtle hint.

She glances over at Frank and takes on an over-the-top combative posture. "Grrrrr!"

"THAT'S my girl" He says. He was going to protest the lawn chair, but hell, she's got the right spirit.

Then a grin-and-wink...and she pays attention to searing and pressing and flipping and tending.

So he takes a laydown , and watches from the lawn chair.

The sound of sizzling meat is comforting and relaxing....

Frank's beard moves at the 'threat.'

And of course, she remembers to click the tongs three times before using them.

He nods approvingly at that.

First round of flipping accomplished without incident. She adds a bit more barbecue sauce to the ribs.

Yes, must do clicking of tongs!

Siv heads towards them... with Jessica by her side "Da! Show us how it's done so one of us can take over"

In a few minutes.... "Burgers up!" she calls out, indicating offerings on the platter.

"Hey! Copy-cats!"

She takes a moment to glance back at the lawn chair her father is in.

Olgar snorts "Bring em on. You got this... "

A smile and a nod, and she turns back to the task, casting a faux-fierce look at Siv and Jessica.

Siv moves to her father "Show us how it's done, Da, so we can learn and give it ago, please?" Polite, respectful to her father. And... she sticks a tongue out at Sylvi when he's not looking, comedically mind you

Frank nods and hands Siv a spatula. "Key to getting a good sear is to season the meat in advance and let it rest at room temperature. Squashing in on the grill drives the liquid out and gives you dry burgers."

An imperious CLICK of tongs! ...and then it's time to check on the veggie burgers that a few people wanted.

He shows her how to touch-test for doneness.

"Speaking of dry, though, a good kind of dry is a dry rub for ribs." he gestures to a pan of rubbed ribs waiting their turn on the grill.

"Nobody's squashing over here," Sylvi comments archly. "Pressing. Not squashing. And who wants somebody's pinchy-fingers all over their food?" Ah, the old sacred battle cries.

"Dry.. blah" Siv says and nods and learns. In truth she's watched her da do this lots of times and HAS paid attention. So she's no the newbie some might think then nods at the Ribs exception.

Frank lifts an eyebrow at Sylvi.

Then says to Siv. "Of course, if your hands aren't clean enough to touch-test, you shouldn't be cooking at all."

"Clean as they come, not a bit of dirt under my nails"

Olgar chuckles "If you want to surrender, Kings, the Code of Dagda requires my daughter treat you mercifully in her victory"

"Mm. Pass." Frank rumbles "No offense, Sylvi. Not your fault."

Gerd shakes her head "This escalated quickly" but she too is amused

"Nope. My pride!" A sassy wink that she normally wouldn't dare with Frank.

There are chuckles, and as the saying goes, no matter who loses, bellies will win. Well, something like that

Ohhh, those ribs are smelling gooooood....

Siv does seem to enjoy the lesson, and nods to Jessica to come over and learn with her

By the time the grilling is done, both Kings and Davidsons will claim victory! As is traditional. And yes, Olgar at least dozes after trying one of his daughter's works, which he declares "Most worthy" as if it were Thor's hammer test.

Jess does wander over and observe.

Sylvi's proud blush at the compliment is absolutely authentic.

"Preparation is key." Frank reminds both his girls. "Always brine your poultry and pork."

"Aye, aye, Da" .....

and so we fade to cullinary contests

July 4th passes with a sizzle, a few bangs, and over all good times.

*************

July 5th? Arguably started with news of pups...

and Brekke is told of them by Kerri

Kerri is happy to report that the litter of six all look healthy and mostly hearty -- there's the little one that needs to be watched. And Edie seems to be doing fine, too, if tired.

Brekke asks Kerri to let everybody else know, and then heads directly out to the stables to meet the newcomers.

Frank goes with her.