Two days had passed and Suzanne flew back. Jane and I drove to Philadelphia airport to meet her plane. Since we were all hungry, we decided to get off the expressway and look for a place to eat. We found this place en route to the party store where Jane explored hats and noise makers while this man led us to the special hats and this man took our money, discussed higher mathematics (I could never figure out what half of $3.50 was) and offered lunch suggestions that amused Suzanne and Jane so that we got back int he car, passed the water ice stand and followed the bus to Pat's where we took a picture of the shrine but then headed to Geno's to wait in line happily and pay our respects to the fallen officer before we got to the window read the menu and decided to forego the Wiz and spring for provolone all the while remembering our fallen hero as we passed on the condiments and made our way to the fries window where this woman delivered the fried to go with the cheese steak that we'd compare to the one we chose from this menu at Pat's where the politics of the situation were explained along with the awards they'd won which were the lure for people who got theirs ahead of our pepper and onions for which no additional condiments were needed since this seemed to represent perfection. Suzanne and Jane studies the sandwich and then started to dig in as I waited in the fries line for some cheese actually, lots of cheese that spilled even over the wrappers that again told us about the feud over the Pat's name. On the way home, we passed the Mummer's exhibit and the gang at Mr. Bar Stool before getting home.

Sometime later, we headed to mcCaffery's where Carolyn was buying beets and Mark was loooking for dill.

Back at home, Sarah's floor was covered with ties (65 for $4) as Maggie was amused by the shirts and ties for decoupage and the other shirts that will help Sarah be dressed for success.

As the evening rolled on, people started to arrive led by the 3 Hunag's who came as the candles were being lit, the (colorless) M&M's poured and the cheese and meat plate readied for consumption. The (illegal in New Jersey) sparklers ad vegetables and salad were emerging as the table was getting ready for the adult dinner.

Michael arrived with the gang from Riverside including Fred which brought in more chocolate and some cookies to add to our stash of chips and other foods that would be left over.

Peter and Seva Kramer arrived which caused Jane and Suzanne to put the lobster pot on the burners for later as the first hors de ouvers were prepared and the mushrooms and artichokes were gathered for processing as the Justs arrived. The mushroom chopping project consumed me even as Peter finished the artichokes and the first plate of quiches were served. More mushrooms were chopped as Steven brushed, but did not drizzle, oil on the bruschetta. Meanwhile, Sara's deft hands assembled the salad and Steven seemed to be pouring oil on the bruschetta. The cooking was proceeding and since we'd watched the pot, Peter did an incantation so that it could still boil. The teenagers were chatting away as I tried to get the proper Just picture before Jane did her hat thing, Sara sliced the pears and Steven opened the wine while the champagne was being prepared and the wine was given a rest, lest Benjamin's M&M's steal its color which would have amused Ben, no doubt. As the pears were being cooked an egg dropped from the bowl but the pears kept progressing even as Peter's head dress amused Lily, Maggie and Sarah who went for the quiches as Lily pondered the bruschetta and Steven posed for a better picture.

I was pressed into service to slice the garlic (in 3D) and add parsley (which I, apparently, did not chop fine enough) to make the ingredients of the mixture that would keep the artichokes company as we could proceed with this elegant salad as hands went after the nuts for the final assembly of the salad. The teenagers continued to play DDR even as food came out and my salad looked like this as Steven Seva Sara Peter and Suzanne prepared to eat.

The lobster was dropped into this pot which caused smoke to rise carrying up the 21 grams no doubt. And, the artichoke sauce was ready as the salt was introduced though not to the almond cake, yet.

We had the ingredients -- pasta and mushrooms for the vegetarian main course, so I could take a break to record the game of Sorry as DDR continued along with the matzah ball that boded well for the artichokes that were ready. This recipe led to this pasta that together with the lobsters made for the main course. The pasta on my plate needed no flash or more distance to get a good picture. After all was said and done, this remained of the lobster and artichokes and we had these plates to prove we had had a real feast with remains in the disposal.

As the time was drawing near, we assembled int eh family room where the teenagers

were waiting for the ball to drop as Ben was less interested because it was a commercial for the elders of the havurah. But, the excitement continued

and even Ben and Suzanne took note as the flag was displayed and the countdown got to 11:58:36 while the teenagers waited the havurah waited the hats were on Ben had his noise maker and I got the first picture of Suzanne in the New Year as Ben walked into the scene and the teenagers were amused at the couple kissing as the gang went out to light sparklers.

Suzanne put the finishing touches on the almond cake and then had her first phone call of the new year as we got Sara's tea together and had last memories of the new year's celebration and the year that is to be for all of us. Happy New Year to all!