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 IMG_0401 en route to the party store IMG_0402 where Jane explored hats IMG_0403 IMG_0404 and noise makers IMG_0405 while this man IMG_0406 led us to the special hats IMG_0407 and this man 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 IMG_0409 so that we got back int he car, passed the water ice stand IMG_0410 and followed the bus IMG_0411 to Pat's IMG_0412 where we took a picture of the shrine IMG_0413 but then headed to Geno's IMG_0414 IMG_0415 IMG_0416 IMG_0417 to wait in line IMG_0418 happily IMG_0419 and pay our respects to the fallen officer IMG_0420 before we got to the window IMG_0421 read the menu IMG_0422 and decided to forego the Wiz IMG_0423 and spring for provolone all the while remembering our fallen hero IMG_0424 as we passed on the condiments IMG_0425 and made our way to the fries window IMG_0426 where this woman IMG_0427 delivered the fried IMG_0428 to go with the cheese steak IMG_0429 that we'd compare to the one we chose from this menu IMG_0430 at Pat's where the politics of the situation were explained IMG_0431 along with the awards they'd won IMG_0432 which were the lure for people IMG_0433 who got theirs ahead of our pepper and onions IMG_0434 for which no additional condiments IMG_0435 were needed since this IMG_0436 seemed to represent perfection. Suzanne and Jane studies the sandwich IMG_0437 and then started to dig in IMG_0438 IMG_0439 as I waited in the fries line IMG_0440 for some cheese IMG_0441 actually, lots of cheese IMG_0442 that spilled even over the wrappers IMG_0443 that again told us about the feud over the Pat's name. On the way home, we passed the Mummer's exhibit IMG_0444 and the gang at Mr. Bar Stool IMG_0445 before getting home.

Sometime later, we headed to mcCaffery's where Carolyn IMG_0446 was buying beets and Mark IMG_0447 was loooking for dill.

Back at home, Sarah's floor was covered with ties (65 for $4) IMG_0448 as Maggie IMG_0449 was amused by the shirts IMG_0450 and ties IMG_0451 for decoupage and the other shirts IMG_0452 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 IMG_0454 who came as the candles IMG_0455 were being lit, the (colorless) M&M's IMG_0456 poured and the cheese and meat plate IMG_0457 readied for consumption. The (illegal in New Jersey) sparklers IMG_0458 ad vegetables IMG_0459 and salad IMG_0460 were emerging as the table IMG_0461 was getting ready for the adult dinner.

Michael arrived with the gang from Riverside IMG_0462 including Fred IMG_0463 which brought in more chocolate and some cookies IMG_0464 to add to our stash of chips IMG_0465 and other foods that would be left over.

Peter IMG_0466 and Seva Kramer IMG_0467 arrived which caused Jane and Suzanne IMG_0468 to put the lobster pot IMG_0469 on the burners for later as the first hors de ouvers IMG_0470 were prepared and the mushrooms IMG_0471 and artichokes IMG_0472 were gathered for processing as the Justs IMG_0473 arrived. The mushroom chopping project IMG_0474 consumed me even as Peter finished the artichokes IMG_0475 and the first plate of quiches IMG_0476 were served. More mushrooms IMG_0477 IMG_0478 were chopped as Steven IMG_0479 brushed, but did not drizzle, oil on the bruschetta. Meanwhile, Sara's deft hands IMG_0480 assembled the salad and Steven seemed to be IMG_0481 pouring oil on the bruschetta. The cooking was proceeding IMG_0482 IMG_0483 and since we'd watched the pot, Peter did an incantation IMG_0484 IMG_0485 so that it could still boil. The teenagers IMG_0486 IMG_0487 were chatting away as I tried to get the proper Just picture IMG_0488 IMG_0489 before Jane IMG_0490 did her hat thing, Sara sliced the pears IMG_0491 and Steven opened the wine IMG_0492 while the champagne IMG_0493 was being prepared and the wine IMG_0494 was given a rest, lest Benjamin's M&M's IMG_0495 steal its color which would have amused IMG_0496 Ben, no doubt. As the pears were being cooked IMG_0497 an egg dropped IMG_0498 from the bowl IMG_0499 but the pears kept progressing IMG_0500 even as Peter's head dress IMG_0501 amused Lily, Maggie and Sarah IMG_0502 IMG_0503 IMG_0504 who went for the quiches IMG_0505 as Lily IMG_0506 pondered the bruschetta IMG_0507 IMG_0508 and Steven IMG_0509 posed for a better picture.

I was pressed into service to slice the garlic (in 3D) IMG_0510 and add parsley IMG_0511 (which I, apparently, did not chop fine enough) to make the ingredients IMG_0512 of the mixture IMG_0513 that would keep the artichokes company as we could proceed with this elegant salad IMG_0514 as hands IMG_0515 IMG_0516 went after the nuts for the final assembly IMG_0517 IMG_0518 IMG_0519 of the salad. The teenagers IMG_0520 IMG_0521 IMG_0522 IMG_0523 continued to play DDR even as food came out IMG_0524 and my salad IMG_0525 looked like this as Steven IMG_0526 Seva IMG_0527 Sara IMG_0528 Peter IMG_0529 and Suzanne IMG_0530 prepared to eat.

The lobster IMG_0531 was dropped into this pot IMG_0532 which caused smoke to rise IMG_0533 IMG_0534 carrying up the 21 grams IMG_0535 no doubt. And, the artichoke sauce IMG_0536 was ready as the salt was introduced IMG_0537 though not to the almond cake, yet.

We had the ingredients -- pasta IMG_0538 and mushrooms IMG_0539 for the vegetarian main course, so I could take a break to record the game of Sorry IMG_0540 as DDR continued IMG_0541 along with the matzah ball IMG_0542 that boded well for the artichokes IMG_0543 that were ready. This recipe IMG_0544 led to this pasta IMG_0545 IMG_0546 that together with the lobsters IMG_0547 IMG_0548 made for the main course. The pasta IMG_0549 on my plate IMG_0550 needed no flash IMG_0551 or more distance IMG_0552 to get a good picture. After all was said and done, this remained of the lobster and artichokes IMG_0553 IMG_0554 IMG_0555 and we had these plates IMG_0556 to prove we had had a real feast with remains IMG_0557 in the disposal.

As the time was drawing near, we assembled int eh family room where the teenagers IMG_0558 IMG_0559 IMG_0560 IMG_0561 IMG_0562 were waiting for the ball to drop as Ben IMG_0563 was less interested because it was a commercial IMG_0564 for the elders IMG_0565 of the havurah. But, the excitement continued IMG_0566 IMG_0567 IMG_0568 IMG_0569 IMG_0570 IMG_0571 and even Ben IMG_0572 and Suzanne IMG_0573 took note as the flag was displayed IMG_0574 and the countdown got to 11:58:36 IMG_0575 while the teenagers waited IMG_0576 the havurah waited IMG_0577 the hats were on IMG_0578 Ben had his noise maker IMG_0579 and I got the first picture of Suzanne IMG_0580 in the New Year IMG_0581 as Ben walked into the scene IMG_0582 and the teenagers IMG_0583 were amused at the couple kissing IMG_0584 as the gang IMG_0585 IMG_0586 went out to light sparklers.

Suzanne IMG_0587 put the finishing touches on the almond cake IMG_0588 and then had her first phone call of the new year IMG_0589 as we got Sara's tea together IMG_0590 and had last memories IMG_0591 of the new year's celebration and the year that is to be IMG_0592 for all of us. Happy New Year to all!