WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL BOAT PARADE PARTY
THE THEME FOR THIS EVENING IS:
IMAGINE THE BOATS!!

(I included a clip art photo of a boat, but couldn't get it into this post from my Word document. If anyone knows how to do this, let me know.)

For those of you who do not live nearby, we will explain that the boat parade was held last Saturday (curses) and it wasn’t that great (hurrah) but we were assured (don’t tell us if we are wrong) that guests were coming for us and not for some #$%*^% boats. Yes?

Most Sincerely,
Ed and Harriet

Above sign was posted on entry door.

Notes and thoughts for next time:
Food, 2010 “Boat” party
Romaine lettuce and other greens for food beds
2 cut-up deli chickens
Sopresota sausage/provolone cheese/olive platter/roast peppers. Next time: cut rind off sausage
Sushi/white fish platter
Large BJ potato salad
Onion sour cream dip and one large bag potato chips
Smoked salmon/white fish platter (1 package each)
Spinach pie (Nadine)
Duncan Hines home-baked fudge mitt nuts that I made.
Cookies (Leeanne brought these – she ate the ones she baked so had to buy some)
The guests drank three two-litre bottles of white (Sauvignon Blanc), ditto various reds, two bottles of Korbel Brut (use tongue and purse lips when pronouncing “brut” – this may take a few years or you may never get this one). We offered orange juice for those who wanted mimosas. They also drank Miller Light beer in cans and our remaining bottles of Killians dark – that was a favorite, but, then, there were no tattooed wonders or Evangelical types at our party. I think more white wine should be gotten next time. There was plenty of hard liquor but no one asked. Anyway, it’s a car culture so this may be a good thing.

General thoughts:
I did not make a large Greek salad as there was plenty of other food, but it would not have been a bad idea, particularly if Nadine had not brought the spinach pie.
The whitefish was (for me) too salty and fishy. Find a Jewish deli (good luck) or forget about this.
I bought hamburger for a red-sauce pasta dish and didn’t make it. I considered roasting beef for the party but Ed preferred to serve deli chicken because it was simpler. Ed made up all the party platters and did a fine job, like a professional caterer might have. (I just wonder what else he knows how to do without telling me.)

I bought 3 packages of French style hamburger buns that we did not put out. They weren’t needed but might have been if I had gone with my original plan to serve roast beef .
The only leftovers were some chicken, some potato salad, onion dip and odds and ends. I couldn’t stand watch over the dip to make sure there was no double dipping, so maybe I should just toss this.

Guests brought wine – chocovine was one – it is chocolate and red wine mixed together and is sublime. Ed says it's a good way to become diabetic and alcoholic at the same time and die with a smile. I should get more as a dessert wine and general aperitif. One guest brought a decorative holiday candle, handy to have in a hurricane.

We offered 3 two-litre bottles of white Sauvignon Blanc, 3 bottles of red, Miller light beer and Killians dark beer. The guests drank all my white and red and I overlooked one red I could have opened but didn’t notice. There was left-over Miller Light and that only emphasizes the good taste of most of our guests. Miller is gack beer but I got it for the calorie-conscious. Next time I’ll have more white wine on hand.

Make a list of all food to be served on getting it home as I have a tendency to forget what is in the refrigerator and end up not putting it out.

Put large bins out for trash and recycle and label them. I had to sort garbage.

Make a note for the kitchen that no guests are to “help”. I lost a large Oneida serving spoon but that may have happened earlier in the week.

Joan was here for the week prior and this was a thoughtless plan as I couldn’t spend much time with her. She took some trips solo to shop and that was good because she likes to wander and I have seen all the shops before and have a tendency to rush her. She bought a classy sheer, embroidered shawl at the “Frills” shop for $15. Everyone guessed it might be $40 up north.

I used Debbie and Bill Hill to clean the house. The only time they had was the day before. They charged $50 an hour (because there were two of them) and worked 4 hours -- $200. They did a great job. I will use them again. They deep cleaned but couldn’t do well under the beds because there were too many things stored there. I was busy cleaning out roach nests in Ed’s bathroom to notice and could have moved things. I will have to call them sooner for important jobs. The cost was worth it because the house was never deep cleaned since we’ve been here. Two valuable tips from Debbie: Mr. Clean antibacterial solution applied with a scrub brush (on a long handle) will clean tile grout. Mr. Clean “magic eraser” is great and will instantly clean formica. I have been using vinegar and baking soda but then you have to sluice off the grit.
I didn’t have time to clean the entry way of leaves.

Nadine brought her 30-cup coffee urn. She says we can borrow it any time but I like the idea of having one so we may get one.

We didn’t have enough ceramic coffee cups. We have 8 saucers and 12 cups. Must order replacement saucers in the white Phaltzgraf pattern. Alternatively, buy Styrofoam coffee cups to use. Ed bought cups but they weren’t for hot liquids.

We bought clear white paper plates and paper cups – we now have enough for the next 10 parties. DO NOT BUY ANY MORE PLASTIC PLATES OR CUPS WITHOUT CHECKING SUPPLY.

We penned the cats in the master bedroom and Ed moved one litter pan into his bathroom for them. Max was the last – I caught up with him under the piano and had to shimmy my way out on my knees while holding on to him with both arms. My ballet training helped here.

I wore my retro black and silver metal top and my sheer black pants (that I can’t wear on a sunny day) and my deep wine colored Mz. Mooz shoes with the tiny heels. I was senshaysonal despite a 2-lb. weight gain because I couldn't work out while entertaining and getting ready for the party.

Besides eating, the guests connected well with each other and several will probably get together on their own. My art teacher came and wanted to talk with me about "the class" in the next few days. Good luck with that I am thinking. Gary, Cathy's boyfriend, played cocktail piano -- he is quite qood -- we talked about classical pieces -- he does that too. I didn't play, being happy to leave the limelight to him and also because I don't play if I am drinking. That's disaster for me. Gary relaxed and was happy and my French friend, Sonia, gave him enough ego-boo for everyone because she loves piano music.

We took Joan to the airport the next day and I rushed home to wash bedding. Lila and Terry drove in from New York, getting here around 8:30 p.m. in their new pre-owned BMW convertible. We had breakfast this morning at The Perfect Cup and they took off. We'll see them Tuesday for brunch at Coconut Point where they will stay a couple of days -- it is a fancy resort.

We love being a hotel, I think.

xx, Teal