I'm coming away from my birthday dinner, which I hosted. I must say, it was at least pretty close to the best dinner party I've ever thrown. For those who couldn't make it (or, realistically, those for whom I had no room for: space was limited), allow me to share with you the menu:
Course 1: Deviled Eggs with a Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc Sonoma Valley 2004. Most Excellent.
Course 2: Steamed Artichokes with a Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 (2 Buck-Chuck). Special thanks to MackenzieMom's friend Linda and her husband, Gary, for supplying the wine. I like to say that "I have People."
Course 3: Shrimp Gumbo, with a Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2003.
Course 4: Spinach Salad with Roma Tomato, Red Pepper, and freshly-grated Parmesian along with some Balsamic vinegar and Olive Oil. Columbia Crest Two Vines Shiraz 2002. (Actually, I supplied a good Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon, a small production wine, after this course, but before the next).
Course 5 (Main Course): Chicken Marsala (Chicken sautéed in butter with a mushroom and Marsala sauce) with steamed broccoli and cauliflour. Accompanied by fresh bread from the Home Bakery here in Laramie. Awesome.
Course 6: Chocolate Pudding Cream Puffs. Pudding made from scratch, as were the puffs. Accompanied by J. Bookwalter Johannisberg Riesling, 2003. Pure heaven, and an excellent pairing.
At this point, some people had to take off due to prior obligations. I was sad to see them go, seeing as I love each and every one of them. In attendance were: J (the best friend) and J (the husband - if I refer to J, I mean the former, J and J are both together), the Dancer, the Kicker, and Zeus and partner. Of course, I, myself, attended.
I understand I did fairly well in constructing a good dinner. I'll let others comment, if they wish.
Really, I enjoyed a chance to treat my closest (available) friends. I think it is a privilege to have the friends a have, and I love having the opportunity to treat them as much as I can. Here's my shout-out: I love you all, and I'm glad to have you as friends, and there are a few others I would invite if they lived here (Tony and Goldie, at least). [UPDATE: Some sections cut, seeing as I drunkenly broke the fourth wall for a moment.]
Anyway, having all you as friends makes me look forward to 30.
Best to all,
MW
Wish I could have been there, buddy.
Happy birthday. A few days too late.
:)
Thanks. You're one of the out-of-staters I would have had here if I could.
Happy Birthday! Way to do it up with style:) How nice to be surrounded by those you love and who love you. Good food, friends, and love. What else is there?
Oh right, sex apparently.
So they tell me, but seeing as that's not an option right now, I'm satisfied with all the rest. :)
Thanks for the birthday wishes. One thing I will say about hosting: nobody leaves my house hungry!