Of course, Aggie and Paul were there; Mom came with Uncle LD; Frere came (tho without bunnies, it being their mom’s weekend to have them); cousin Beth showed up with cousin Wilson, who is rarely in town. So good to see him! All three of Aggie and Paul’s daughters live on the West coast, so they weren’t able to make it. And Dad was absent, as he was headed out of town for a conference. But it was great company, all the same. Such good vibes were permeating the room - we laughed and laughed together, telling stories, teasing each other, making toasts. What a happy, celebratory occasion!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Mom and Dad were the sponsors of our festivities. Mom wanted to go Big Nice for them, but 1) we agreed that since Paul is on the road so much these days being an internationally-celebrated, world-changing superstar, he and Aggie would probably prefer a casual, at-home gathering to another something fancy-pants at a restaurant, and 2) Mom and Dad's living room is currently under construction in a somewhat dramatic fashion. When you factor in what charming hosts Handsome and I are, you see that our sweet little dollhouse was the natural choice.
So, naturally, Handsome and I saw to it that the champagne was flowing and delicious food was on offer.
On the menu:
Beginning
Caviar pie
Uncle Paul’s house-smoked salmon
Bruncheon
Roast chicken & vegetables
Savory bread pudding
Mixed green salad
Fresh fruit salad
Dessert
White poppyseed cake with apricot filling and whipped cream frosting
The cake, we ordered, and Uncle Paul brought his special salmon. The rest of it was me on my feet in the kitchen for two days -- okay, for a long night the night before. Everyone really enjoyed their meal (Mom described it as “ambrosial” - heh heh), so it was utterly worth it.
I've got a belief system about food, and it includes the perspective that really good food can elevate an occasion exponentially. That’s one reason I'm working to improve my skills, and I was just so glad that I could contribute to the joy that filled the house last week. It was an honor and an accomplishment.
I was also happy to take the opportunity to work a little commitment voodoo: I ordered the cake from the same baker who did Handsome's and my wedding cake eight and a half years ago. And the poppyseed-apricot combination is the same flavor combination as the top tier of the three-tier cake we served at our wedding. (Yes, I know that's not voodoo. I don't actually practice voodoo. But I'm not above culinary suggestion.)
When people showed up with flowers, I felt quite sure they must be for me, as a kind of reward for my good efforts. Of course, the flowers were technically for Aggie and Paul, but since the happy couple were leaving town the next day for Mexico, all the fleurs ended up staying chez nous (win!), pretty little reminders of what a great time we’d hosted.
These are the gorgeous flowers Aggie and Paul’s eldest daughter sent:
Mom brought two big grocery store bouquets that I rearranged into this selection for the living room:
...And this purple arrangement that is currently gracing my oficina:
...Some greens for the kitchen window shelf:
...More greens for the main floor bathroom:
...And a little posy for Handsome’s cove:
Felt like, looked like, smelled like, tasted like a success.
Because...50 years!
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