There is yet another marble that has been rolling around in my head for quite some time: Amalie's 30th birthday celebration. When asked what she wanted to do for her birthday dinner, Amalie replied 'dinner at your house or dinner out. But I prefer you're house.' How could I be anything but flattered? And excited. I hadn't planned a dinner party in quite some time, and that fact makes me quite sad. The occasion of Amalie's 30th birthday seemed perfect for a small dinner party. She had three requests: plantains, a spicy beef dish, a green vegetable, and ice cream. Done and done. Incidentally, her roommate, Beth, had just given me a brand new ice cream maker that she didn't want anymore for...f-r-e-e. Serious bonus.
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| strategizing. |
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| Moby was a big help. |
Menu:
Platanos fritos
Mexican Salad (#200)
Lemon-Lime-Basil-Mint Sangria (#202)
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| ice cream ingredients. |
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| sangria making. |
The night went off without a hitch and the slow cooker continues to be my best friend. The meat was so spicy and delicious, and made the house smelled like the Mexican restaurant down the street that I love.
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| very sweet. |
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| plates full of yummy food. |
Hosting Amalie's birthday gave me an opportunity to think about what kind of a person she is as I cooked, arranged flowers and tidied the house throughout the day. You see, if you have not heard gathered from my previous posts, Amalie is "good people". She is the kind of person you can depend on. She is easy-going in an enviable way. She offers perspective that almost always helps me see something from another's point of view as opposed to my own. She is such a good friend.
And the fact that her favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip doesn't hurt either. Because, it is mine, too! Making homemade ice cream is the best thing ever. And when you have an ice cream maker, it is the best thing without any effort. (Yes, you should buy one right now.) It is d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s. (I nixed the green food coloring because that seemed silly.)
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| wish-making. |
Happy birthday, Amalie. May you have your happiest year yet. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.
98 to go....
yay...double digits!!
