Oh god the pages and pages. You people are crazy. Then again, it says a bit about me because "I have to read them all"
Here is an even simpler solution: Marten called to invite Claire out for breakfast pancakes with the idea of talking to Claire about things over breakfast.
Claire's mother insisted he come over and he, not wanting to make a fuss, goes with the flow.
That is very Marten.
Called a ground line? Nah, he'd have Claire's cell
Alternate scenario: Claire left her cell phone out, Clairemom saw an incoming call and, knowing she works with Marten, figured it might've been important, and picked up. Conversation was had, and pancakes ensued.
And it looks like we were correct. Also of note, we never specified a landline. I think that few of us even assume a landline any more and I am of the RUSH generation
On the topic of french toast.
I prefer to make my own using thick sliced butterzopf soaked in well beaten egg with just a drop of vanilla.
Then on medium heat in a covered pan so it steams a puffs up a bit as it cooks with a flip and brown to finish the other side.
Then comes the Real Maple syrup or Marmalade or powdered sugar and cinnamon [yek-sis likes it].
On the cooking discussion.
I only cook when I have time and when I do I make largish batches and freeze meal size portions and store them in the freezer chest in the basement.
A freezer chest is a defacto needed accessory if you are time constrained for most meals and budget constrained for outside dining.
Oh god, I'm still reading comment pages .....
help
I've got the feeling that Claire's mother is currently in "Let's find a nice young man for my little girl" mode. There is a definite chance that, at some point, she's going to start singing the praises for Claire's home-making skills.
Or asking him about his homemaking skills if she knows Claire is domestically challenged OR insists on equitable sharing of household duties. aka a Good Man can cook and work a washing machine.
Oh god ... I give up ... still 5 pages to read .... I might catch up by Wednesday ....