SUCCESS!

On two counts... our dinner party last night was fabulous and the NY GIANTS are going to the Superbowl!  More on the football game later but here is the dinner party report...

There were people who RSVP'd and didn't come and there were people who came but didn't RSVP.  I think our final count was about 55.  There was plenty of food and drink for everyone - this is always my biggest concern, especially when there is "meal" involved (not just drinks & desserts or happy hour).  

I had the house straightened and everything for the party organized before PeePorn even arrived.  I didn't want her to have to do anything but the food preparation. She made large bowls of sum tom, pomelo and fruit/cheese/lettuce salads.  I think everyone liked them...by the end of the night, it looked like someone had licked those bowls clean!  

Originally, the caterer (Danielle, my instructor when I took those Thai cooking classes) was going to make two 9"x13" pans of the green chicken curry lasagna.  However, she and I talked it over and agreed for her to make an additional 8"x10" pan as well.  I am so glad we increased the amount because both of the larger pans and about 3/4 of the smaller pan were eaten.  When Danielle first suggested the green chicken curry lasagna, I was a little hesitant about serving it.  I couldn't imagine pairing a pasta/noodle with the green curry - and neither could anyone else when I told people what I was serving.  Not to worry though because it was incredibly delicious!  Everyone LOVED it and people were going back to get seconds before some people even had firsts!  Even Caitlynne and Christopher liked it.  

For dessert, Danielle made a "nest" of phyllo dough, baked it, filled it with either a mango, lemon or raspberry cream and then topped it with a small bit of fruit or cookie for a garnish.  They were so flavorful but very light.  We had two large trays of those (maybe 150 total?) and there were only about 15 left over.  I was happy there wasn't much leftover food because our refrigerator is quite small and it was already full.  

Fortunately, the mosquitoes held off long enough so some of the crowd could eat outside.  I added some seating outside with two long folding tables & chairs as well as using our patio furniture.  I think we could have fit everyone in the house to eat but it was much nicer to have a little extra room with the outside seating.  A lot of beer and wine was consumed but we had arranged for buses to transport the guests to and from our home so we didn't have to worry about anyone driving at the end of the evening.  

So, that event is over with and now I can focus on planning our trip back to the U.S. for the summer.  Or, maybe I should plan a get together for the Superbowl?!? Hmmmm.... something to think about.

Okay, so about that football game... I didn't get to watch ONE SINGLE SECOND of it!  

Always the planner, I woke up at 4.30 am to walk the dogs, get the kids off to school, straighten the house, and organize for the party.  I wanted to have everything done for the party so I could run a few quick errands at 9.00 am and be back in time to watch the rest of the game.  Before I left the house to run my errands, I got on-line to check on the Baltimore-New England game...only to see an update of the Giants' game, which was nearing the end of the 3rd quarter!    I almost started to cry.  

I thought the game started at 8.30 pm but it really began at 6.30 pm!  ACK!!!  I absolutely had to run those errands before 9.30 am so there was no way I could watch the game.  Kevin did call me while I was out and told me the last update he heard was that the game was tied 17-17 in overtime and the Giants had just fumbled the ball. (Yes, I agree, he sure does know how to kick me when I am down).  By the time I returned to the house, the game was over.  While I am so happy the Giants won, I was pretty disappointed that I didn't get to see any of the action.  I should take comfort in the fact that I will get another chance to see them play in the Superbowl and that is what is most important!   

Also, for those Redskins fans out there... I told Kevin last night that he should take comfort in San Francisco's season this year.  Last year, the 49'ers were 6-10.  This year, they played in the NFC Championship game.  This just goes to prove that anything is possible and, maybe next year, the Redskins could see a comparable improvement.  My dear husband's response to me?!?  

Two of the Redskins' five wins this season were over the Giants.  Ouch!   

Have a great Tuesday