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
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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!