I don’t entertain very often. Socializing takes a lot out of me and large scale parties scare the dickens out of me. While I’m good with the planning, organizing and most of the details, just the thought of doing all of that makes me twitchy sometimes.
But … Mom had a big birthday this year and Val and I decided that a party was in order. Since I’m on the same coast as Mom and Dad I got to do most of the planning (which I do like). We wanted something really nice, a little different and something that would be special for Mom. So … I went to my favorite cheese shop and talked to Louise about planning a party/dinner for the big day. I also made sure to send info to family as soon as mom gave the initial okay so she couldn’t back out.
It was a really lovely evening. I forgot to take pictures once people started arriving and went into hostess mode – not something that comes naturally, but I tried. Louise and her team did an incredible job and it seemed like everyone had a fantastic time. Good food, good company and good wine … its hard to go wrong.
To make myself even more out of my comfort zone, I hosted lunch the next day at home.
Again, once people began to arrive, I forgot to take any pictures. Arthas had a great time convincing everyone that he was starving and needed food. It was really nice to see everyone and spend time together. Mom’s birthday provided a great excuse to get everyone together and catch up. I can only do this once every ten years, but once a decade, it is kind of nice to stretch out of the comfort zone and play hostess.
I’m still knitting, surprisingly. It is something that is fairly relaxing and gives me a sense of accomplishment. It is also way cheaper than wine and something I can do Sunday mornings unlike my wine hobby. For the most part I stick to one project at a time, but given that I’m going to start a blanket for the spare room soon, I may need some smaller projects to do here and there while working on that. I need to look around at some of the charities again and find out which ones I can send scarfs to and which ones accept blankets or squares to make blankets. I did make Bob a scarf – yes, the Florida boy who has no interest in cold weather has his own scarf. It turned out pretty darn nice if I do say so myself.
Cooking has not been very interesting lately, although I did make a rather nice Thanksgiving Day dinner, but that gets it’s own post. I love the new job, but with the hour plus commute each way, I am not getting very creative in the kitchen. Either I’m too tired to read and comprehend a recipe, too tired to get creative or just not up to thinking that hard after a long day, but cooking has become a little more routine around here. It’s not a bad thing, and we still eat fairly well, but it just isn’t original. Although I will say, I am pretty happy with the 3 bean enchiladas that I came up with from the 3 bean chili.
We really didn’t have an agenda with this trip. I know, no spreadsheet of places to go and restaurants to eat at, no pre-planned outings or specific exhibits to see. We wanted to relax, eat well and drink good drinks. The first night we were in Winter Park, we hit it out of the park (sorry, bad pun) with the restaurant we chose. 
As good as our first dinner was and as pretty as the gardens were, the highlight of the trip was the donuts. We happened by (on our way to the gardens, then stopped in on the way back) Little Blue Donut is this great place that does to-order donuts. Seriously. they make the general donuts, but they are super fresh and then they hand top them when you order. This was absolutely the best donut I’ve ever had, including Portland which is known for donuts. 
Tigger was a little grumpy the other day, he went to see the doctor. Mom said it was his “once a year” check-up, but he still was not happy. Tigger said he was fine and the doctor told him he was super cute and in purrfect health and mom said he did’t have to go back until next year. It’s a good thing too – he was really cranky when he came home.
These two are pretty funny, but Arthas is mostly fascinated with Ella. He follows her around and doesn’t seem to mind when she lays next to him on the couch.
This week I decided to do some more planting. I didn’t have any more vegetables I really wanted to grow, so I found more herbs! Little more basil (since it is somehow growing now), thyme, lemon balm, cilantro and sage. I don’t expect everything to grow and survive, but I’m hoping. The lemon balm smells fantastic – like lemonade – so I’m hoping that grows. No idea what I’ll do with it, but I’ll figure something out.
When I moved the kale, I also cleaned up the herbs and I ended up with a bunch of oregano. I have plenty left in the garden, but I didn’t want to waste what I cut so I decided to dry them. Finding a place to hand the oregano where the pets would not get to it, I wouldn’t forget about it and they would get plenty of air was a little tricky, but I just attached them to the window in the kitchen and two weeks late – fresh dried oregano! It isn’t as pretty as the cat grass and catnip that I have planted, but it is pretty all the same. Arthas and Alinea really like the cat grass.
Sixteen Paws 