Pictures of 12.31.03 -- New Year's Eve

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 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0401 en route to the party store ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0402 where Jane explored hats ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0403 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0404 and noise makers ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0405 while this man ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0406 led us to the special hats ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0407 and this man ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0408 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 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0409 so that we got back in the car, passed the water ice stand ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0410 and followed the bus ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0411 to Pat's ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0412 where we took a picture of the shrine ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0413 but then headed to Geno's ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0414 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0415 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0416 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0417 to wait in line ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0418 happily ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0419 and pay our respects to the fallen officer ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0420 before we got to the window ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0421 read the menu ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0422 and decided to forgo the Wiz ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0423 and spring for provolone all the while remembering our fallen hero ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0424 as we passed on the condiments ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0425 and made our way to the fries window ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0426 where this woman ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0427 delivered the fried ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0428 to go with the cheese steak ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0429 that we'd compare to the one we chose from this menu ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0430 at Pat's where the politics of the situation were explained ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0431 along with the awards they'd won ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0432 which were the lure for people ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0433 who got theirs ahead of our pepper and onions ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0434 for which no additional condiments ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0435 were needed since this ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0436 seemed to represent perfection. Suzanne and Jane studies the sandwich ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0437 and then started to dig in ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0438 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0439 as I waited in the fries line ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0440 for some cheese ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0441 actually, lots of cheese ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0442 that spilled even over the wrappers ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0443 that again told us about the feud over the Pat's name. On the way home, we passed the Mummer's exhibit ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0444 and the gang at Mr. Bar Stool ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0445 before getting home.
Sometime later, we headed to McCaffery's where Carolyn ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0446 was buying beets and Mark ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0447 was looking for dill.
Back at home, Sarah's floor was covered with ties (65 for $4) ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0448 as Maggie ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0449 was amused by the shirts ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0450 and ties ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0451 for decoupage and the other shirts ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0452 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0453 that will help Sarah be dressed for success.
As the evening rolled on, people started to arrive led by the 3 Hunag's ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0454 who came as the candles ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0455 were being lit, the (colorless) M&M's ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0456 poured and the cheese and meat plate ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0457 readied for consumption. The (illegal in New Jersey) sparklers ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0458 ad vegetables ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0459 and salad ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0460 were emerging as the table ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0461 was getting ready for the adult dinner.
Michael arrived with the gang from Riverside ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0462 including Fred ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0463 which brought in more chocolate and some cookies ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0464 to add to our stash of chips ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0465 and other foods that would be left over.
Peter ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0466 and Seva Kramer ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0467 arrived which caused Jane and Suzanne ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0468 to put the lobster pot ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0469 on the burners for later as the first hors d'oeuvres ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0470 were prepared and the mushrooms ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0471 and artichokes ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0472 were gathered for processing as the Justs ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0473 arrived. The mushroom chopping project ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0474 consumed me even as Peter finished the artichokes ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0475 and the first plate of quiches ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0476 were served. More mushrooms ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0477 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0478 were chopped as Steven ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0479 brushed, but did not drizzle, oil on the bruschetta. Meanwhile, Sara's deft hands ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0480 assembled the salad and Steven seemed to be ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0481 pouring oil on the bruschetta. The cooking was proceeding ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0482 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0483 and since we'd watched the pot, Peter did an incantation ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0484 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0485 so that it could still boil. The teenagers ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0486 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0487 were chatting away as I tried to get the proper Just picture ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0488 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0489 before Jane ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0490 did her hat thing, Sara sliced the pears ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0491 and Steven opened the wine ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0492 while the champagne ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0493 was being prepared and the wine ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0494 was given a rest, lest Benjamin's M&M's ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0495 steal its color which would have amused ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0496 Ben, no doubt. As the pears were being cooked ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0497 an egg dropped ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0498 from the bowl ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0499 but the pears kept progressing ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0500 even as Peter's head dress ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0501 amused Lily, Maggie and Sarah ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0502 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0503 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0504 who went for the quiches ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0505 as Lily ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0506 pondered the bruschetta ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0507 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0508 and Steven ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0509 posed for a better picture.
I was pressed into service to slice the garlic (in 3D) ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0510 and add parsley ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0511 (which I, apparently, did not chop fine enough) to make the ingredients ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0512 of the mixture ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0513 that would keep the artichokes company as we could proceed with this elegant salad ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0514 as hands ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0515 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0516 went after the nuts for the final assembly ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0517 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0518 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0519 of the salad. The teenagers ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0520 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0521 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0522 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0523 continued to play DDR even as food came out ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0524 and my salad ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0525 looked like this as Steven ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0526 Seva ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0527 Sara ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0528 Peter ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0529 and Suzanne ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0530 prepared to eat.
The lobster ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0531 was dropped into this pot ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0532 which caused smoke to rise ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0533 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0534 carrying up the 21 grams ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0535 no doubt. And, the artichoke sauce ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0536 was ready as the salt was introduced ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0537 though not to the almond cake, yet.
We had the ingredients -- pasta ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0538 and mushrooms ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0539 for the vegetarian main course, so I could take a break to record the game of Sorry ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0540 as DDR continued ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0541 along with the matzah ball ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0542 that boded well for the artichokes ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0543 that were ready. This recipe ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0544 led to this pasta ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0545 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0546 that together with the lobsters ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0547 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0548 made for the main course. The pasta ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0549 on my plate ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0550 needed no flash ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0551 or more distance ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0552 to get a good picture. After all was said and done, this remained of the lobster and artichokes ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0553 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0554 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0555 and we had these plates ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0556 to prove we had had a real feast with remains ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0557 in the disposal.
As the time was drawing near, we assembled in the family room where the teenagers ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0558 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0559 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0560 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0561 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0562 were waiting for the ball to drop as Ben ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0563 was less interested because it was a commercial ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0564 for the elders ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0565 of the havurah. But, the excitement continued ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0566 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0567 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0568 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0569 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0570 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0571 and even Ben ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0572 and Suzanne ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0573 took note as the flag was displayed ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0574 and the countdown got to 11:58:36 ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0575 while the teenagers waited ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0576 the havurah waited ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0577 the hats were on ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0578 Ben had his noise maker ../../../Sabbat/2003/12.31.03NewYearsEve//IMG_0579