Party, Party, Party

(until you drop, or your back drops you!)

Last Thursday I hosted the Chick-Lit or Lit-Chick's dinner. It seems if we’re not in class, we never see each other, so I offered to make soup as a bribe to get us together. They pitched in with the sides of bread, and wine and dessert (and laughter, and stories, and ideas for more/better writing).

Here’s a picture of us, just after I served the Spiced Carrot Soup with Cilantro and the Fire Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup.

Then Friday night I went to another friend’s house to help her prepare for her holiday party on Saturday.

In the first night of cooking, my friend and I made:

A candle-shaped cheddar cheese ball

2 festive drinks

3 (types) dipped candies

4 dozen cookies (with date & walnuts)

and

Dough for 5 dozen sugar cookies.

One the second day of cooking, my friend and I made:

Six-ty homemade caramels (with and without nuts, individually wrapped)

7 pounds Italian meatballs

Shelled 8 pounds of shrimp

Iced 9 bottles white wine

10 six-packs of beer

Decanted 11 bottles of red wine

And spent 12 hours of cooking before the guests showed up.

On Sunday … I took muscle relaxers for my spasmming back and slept.

Tonight I … didn’t do much.

Tomorrow night the neighborhood girls are getting together again. I’m making a Spanish Tortilla with Chorizo and potatoes. They’re bringing the rest of the stuff.

Wednesday is our company Christmas lunch … and another hair cut (did you notice it’s short?)

Thursday … I veg out.

Friday Reynolds Price will do a holiday reading at my favorite Independent Book Store (Quail Ridge Books).

Saturday is anther Christmas party (but I only have to bring one appetizer to this!)

And Sunday is my dinner group. I’m in charge of dessert – and have decided to make these Hot Chocolate Fudge Cakes!