Thursday, April 25, 2013

An Informal Dinner Engagement

Megan left a comment last Thursday that included "The tribe of women who are planning to move in to enjoy your cooking now that you're Dad has moved have asked me to ask you what day next week it would suit you best for us all to arrive. Don't go to too much trouble - no need to re-decorate or anything. Just a thorough spring clean, vases of fresh flowers and a stock of chocolates will be enough. LOL".

Well, the new oven arrived last week and I have tested it out and Spring-cleaning will take a while, but I can do a decent general cleaning in a couple of days.  But for planning purposes, let's say Monday 29th.  I will still have some of the front yard fragrant daffodils to place in vases then.

Now as to the food:  I don't often make appetizers, but I think I can manage some peeled celery stuffed with chive cream cheese and some marinated mushrooms.  For the main dish, how about stir-fried shrimp and asparagus in a mild horseradish/wine sauce over herbed saffron rice, and a heart of buttercrunch lettuce salad with cucumbers and cherry tomatoes with fresh Italian dressing?

For desserts, I have Tollhouse cookies, Lindor dark chocolate truffles, Lindor extra dark chocolate truffles, and Van Otis assorted Swiss fudge.  Which to choose... Wait, we will have one of each!  I hope Old Vine Zinfandel is satisfactory in the wine department.  If not, I always keep some semi-dry Riesling in the wine cooler too.  It off-sets the sweetness of chocolate well.

For background music, I suggest classical (Ravel, Debussy, and Prokofiev), but I also have 60s/70s Broadway musicals, Simon&Garfunkel, or Chariots of Fire and Tubular Bells if your tastes run in that direction.  There is some older jazz and swing music around too.

As it will be strictly an early evening social supper, casual (but appropriate) dress is suggested.  We are not formal here.  Attention to the Mews is not only permitted but encouraged and a bowl of cat treats will be available for tossing to them for mutual enjoyment.  Iza has offered to conduct personal Garden Tours for any guests who wish to arrive early for that purpose.

I had a personally awful experience with Canon Customer Service, so I would never buy their products again myself.

8 comments:

Megan said...

Thank you so much Mark. It sounds sensational. I will bring wine from Australia if you and your other guests would like to tell me your preferences. I am also looking forward to meeting the Mews in person.

Megan
Sydney, Australia

Mariodacatsmom said...

Well if Megan can make it all the way from AU, I certainly can make it from WI! What a lovely invitation. I will bring a little surprise for the mews!

Shaggy and Scout said...

Ohhhhh Mark this sounds fabulous! Count me in.....It's the green house, correct? I'm allergic to allnuts & nut by-products, so don't go sneaking any into your dishes!
I'll bring treats for the kitties, and am most anxious to pet Marley!

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

To Megan: Thank you for the offer to bring one of your outstanding Aussie wines to the dinner. I think a light red or a dry white would really round out the choices.

To Mariodacatsmom: The Mews are eagerly anticipating your "surprise". I will have to remind them of that on the day of the dinner (they don't have long memories). Ooh, I'm probably gonna pay for saying THAT).

To Shaggy and Scout: Yes, its the Green house. Around the corner and to the left. Only green house on the street! No nuts in the dishes; they are enclosed in a jar in the fridge and I will make sure to not even touch it. I will even make sure to only use virgin olive oil while cooking.

Just Ducky said...

Road trip!

Tina T-P said...

So how about some Pacific NW Smoked Salmon Spread to add to the appetizer table? It sounds like a spectacular dinner - count us in. :-) T.

Mark's Mews (Marley, Lori, Loki, and Binq) said...

Pacific NW Smoked Salmon sounds like a great addition!

Unknown said...

I can bring some of our Beary Good Stuff Blueberry Garlic Jelly, it will go lovely with the Celery and chive cream cheese, or I could bring some of our Mango Salsa! It goes great with seafood.
Nellie's Mom

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