Party on!

It has been a rocking party here... okay that's an exaggeration but there have been 3 parties in the last week and all were tonnes of fun.

The first party: amazing and we had a tonne of fun with my work colleagues. We were just shy of 20 people but for once it didn't feel crowded - lots of room in this house! I went a wee bit Martha and used one of her menu's for the food. Champagne punch laced with lemon, some amazing crab cakes, and honey roasted figs paired well with my additions of a cheese plate (with blue of course) and potstickers. After we gorged on the various appies, we had a sit down dinner of Roast rack of venison and roast veggies with a great Cab Franc. After dinner I made Kir Royale's and there was dessert but I don't know if anyone ate any because we were all too full. We spent a good part of the evening just chatting - usually there is some shop talk that occurs, much to the apparent irritation of spouses who come to this annual event, but for once we managed to keep avoid this. (The shop talk is somewhat inevitable... my job is not like regular jobs where there is a work place and a coffee machine that people congregate around and talk. We have almost no adult interaction in this job and rarely see each other at times when we can talk shop. Add to that the fact that most of us are obsessively interested in our field and well, you have a recipe for shop talk at parties, behaviorally based jokes and other ridiculous events. I guess its no different that my having to smile and nod during conversations at DH's work party - I care nothing of roads in the yukon, core results or other mining talk - I just smile and nod boys, smile and nod.) After dinner we played a hilarious game called "Loser" and shared many laughs. Sometimes you really get to know people in ways that you aren't sure you should.

Throughout the night we went through 6 bottles of "champagne", 2 bottles of Cabernet Franc, 1 bottle of Cassis and 1 bottle of vodka. That sounds like a lot now that I have written it out!!! There were a lot of people though and we supplied all of the beverages this year so I guess that is not too bad. I do not recommend drinking more than 2 glasses of champagne in an evening though. Add the fact that Loser requires some people to serve the group and the person serving made a strong pomegranate martini and well, I did have a headache the next day. Was fine otherwise but did need to take some Advil.

Party # 2 (not really a party but....) For Banana's bday we had a lovely waffle breakfast with fruit and whip cream, opened presents and then shopped till we dropped - her choice of activity not mine. We had a great dinner at Milestones - her choice - and DH and I had a great white wine with our meal. I have completely forgotten what it was but it was an Italian Chardonnay and had a nice depth to it. We'll have her actual party in a week or so with friends and crazy girl activities.... I can not believe my little girl is 10. How did that happen. Just yesterday she was a baby with round cheeks and chubby fingers. sigh.

The second party was on New Years Eve. Less adults, more children. There was good food, more good wine, some Wii playing, a rousing game of shuffleboard that I didn't participate in because I was watching Barnyard with the children and much hilarity. At midnight we shared a toast and ran outside and banged on pots with our gaggle of children. No one on our street came out and banged pots... just us. Party on crazy neighbors!!! It was the perfect way to spend the New Year - with family and friends and a smile on my face. I have pictures but need to find my connection cord so they will have to wait.