Small Party - Big Fun

It was a smaller turnout than we had expected for Halloween.  I think we had about 15 people (sometimes we have more than 25), but it was fun just the same.  Our group is quite diverse, so you never know who'll show up.  There were four couples in costume including us.  I got my Black Widow costume together at almost the last minute.  I was sewing on the red "hour glass" at 5:00.  I rounded up some scrubs from the thrift shop for my hubby, who went as a "Urologist".  You should have seen his stethoscope!  Now we don't have a real one, and I couldn't find a good fake on such short notice, so I picked up a toy medic kit at Walmart for $1.  That was TOO fake...so he has this automotive stethoscope.  No, I'm not kidding, there really is such a thing.  You mechanics out there know what they are.  It has this long spike on the end where the cold flat part would be.  Look out guys!

Joining us among the "characters" were a vampiress & Jimmy Buffet, a pirate & a travel agent (she looked like a zip up garment bag), and a 1950s couple.  Our hostess with the mostess was wearing a black shirt with a Halloween design (forget what exactly - maybe ghosts), black pants and a cape.  She had some really cool glasses and a witchy hat. 

There were tons of good eats as always, including BBQ pork, black bean dip, several cheeses and crackers, biscuits, croissants, chips, fruit & desserts, not to mention plenty of wine.  Yum!  As with the people, we never know what food we'll have either.  No matter who or how many show up, or what we eat, it's all good.  Someday I'll tell how this all got started.  Yes, there is a story here so stay tuned.

Pasta alla Pancetta

Pasta is a quick go-to meal around our house, and the term covers anything from a simple goulash to baked ziti.

After spending most of the day away from home, and putting no thought into dinner I pondered what to fix. I know, pasta! I always have a number of dried pastas, tomato products and cheese. Add protein and/or veggies, and some herbs and spices and you've got a quick and easy dinner. Serve with garlic bread and some nice red wine and you're good to go. For the salad lovers out there, a side of greens is optional.

Here is what was for dinner last night.

Pasta alla Pancetta

8 oz. campanelle pasta
1 TB EVOO
4 oz. pancetta, diced
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup cream
1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (please, use the real thing)
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
S&P to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions (10-12 min.)

Sauté onion and garlic in EVOO, then add pancetta. Cook until browned. When pasta is done, drain and add the pancetta mixture and mix well. Add the cream and stir to coat. Add the parmesan and mix until melted.

It's Halloween and My First Ever Costume Party

I know it's hard to believe but this will be the first costume party of my adult life, and maybe even ever...The only Halloween party I can remember going to was when I was 6 years old, and temporarily living in Maine.  I was attending school there during the month of October.  Imagine that.  A first grader who had been very sheltered during those first 6 years, being pulled out of her class and moved nearly a thousand miles away among people she didn't know.  I barely knew my cousins, and they were some years older than I was.  Our reason for being there during the school year was that my Grandmother was in the hospital.  That was the only time during my school career that I ever rode the bus.  Thank goodness I did have cousins going to the same school.  

So, I did go to a Halloween party somewhere, but I don't expect I had a costume, and I don't remember anything else about it...it's just a vague memory.  Sadly, there is no one left who can tell me anything about it.

Moving on to modern times, our Cheers group is having a Halloween-themed get together tomorrow night.  Now, I've know for about 3 weeks that I needed costumes and here it is tomorrow and I'm not ready.  Shame on me!  In my defense, there has been a lot going on in our lives.  My best friend is very creative, and I was hoping we could work up something, but she has a busy life of her own being a 2nd grade teacher with 2 kids of her own.  She gave me some ideas, but not being very creative in that area myself, I didn't get very far.  We have had some family crises going on so hubby hasn't been able to participate in selecting a costume for himself, and I'm still figuring that out.  I have a few ideas, but not much to work with, and I'm too cheap to spend the bucks on something that'll only be worn once.

Anyway, here is what I've come up with for me.  I bought a silver cape with a spider web design and a black top.  I think I'll make a red hour glass design for the front, wear with black pants and shoes and go as a "black widow".  Did I mention that I lack creativity?  What's your costume this year?  I would love to hear about your Halloween costumes or parties you've been to.

Pinocchio's and Toys for Tots

There is a lovely little Italian restaurant in Spencer, NC called Pinocchio's.  The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the food is delicious.  Giuseppe, the chef, is a creative force in the kitchen, and Tracy keeps everything else running smoothly.  This year they will be joining Toys for Tots as a donation point.  Here is what Tracy said in her weekly e-mail. 

"It's going to be a particularly rough year for young families to afford Christmas shopping, so Pinocchio's is a donation point for Toys for Tots.  Just write a check made payable to Toys for Tots and bring it in when you come to dinner; I will take it, match it 50 cents on the dollar through my book company, and get a whole bunch of Fun Kid Kits to our local kids.  Your cancelled check is 100% tax deductible".

I hope you can join them for dinner sometime soon.  You'll leave with a happy tummy and a warm fuzzy feeling, and no I don't mean from the wine either. So drop off a check, and help make Christmas for the children.

Quote of the Week

People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas.  

- Author Unknown

Some worry that they'll eat too much, and others view the holidays as a license to eat everything they deny themselves the rest of the year.  If we just follow the "everything in moderation" rule we would be much better off all year round.