Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Full House

I finished dinner about two hours ago and I am still full. I would venture a guess that the other two ladies who reside in the little oasis of our Wicked Park House (3 flats) are also sitting in quiet contentment (verging on indulged discomfort) after that meal. It's a full house.

That meal being the first time we've sat down for a meal together. It's not too surprising when you consider that we've each chosen to live alone but it's amazing that in this big house, I see them maaaybe once a week and that is by chance passing in the garden. It was time for a change.

After much calendar negotiation, we found a date that worked and tonight it was. I left work a little late and ran home to walk/run Branner-boy (love- he was so good!!). I think that may have been the point when I snapped out of the funk I've been in since Monday. Some puppy time.

Anyway, I had just enough time to put my chocolate trifle together when it was time to walk upstairs. Walk upstairs into the summer spread that dreams are made of.

For starters (My Neighbor):
  • Goat Cheese baked with Diced Garlic&Onion Tomatoes on Top, drizzled with EVOO and served with a small oven-warmed boule.
  • Mixed Green salad with dried cherries, toasted almonds, crushed ramen noodles and a sweet Balsamic dressing

For dinner (Ala, the Lady of the Land):
  • Grilled chicken marinated in EVOO, garlic, fresh oregano (from the garden, of course) and some chili powder
  • Chicken was served with a Mango, Avocado, Scallion and Cilantro relish (I need the specific recipe, could eat with a spoon...and did)
  • Grilled portobello mushrooms and summer squash marinated similarly to the chicken but only lightly

For dessert (Me, the least elegant of the bunch):

We were so full of wine and fresh air and good food and great company at that point that I was impressed when they finished their servings. I do have a TON leftover though and while I will bring some to the office tomorrow, it's nothing that Jaimeson can't handle come Thursday.

I walked away thinking, how did I not realize the degree to which I enjoy my neighbors?? We share a roof!! We're all so busy that it may not happen often but these little dinners will definitely be happening with more frequency.

And with that, I am headed to bed. Happy, healthy and full of mischief on a cool night in Wicked Park. If you want to stay up later to giggle, check out the girls' tour blog (Alexa Wilkinson, Laura Jansen and a few others I believe). Hilarious, ridiculous and let's just imagine being on a 6 week roadtrip with your girlfriends? All adjectives apply:)

9 comments:

alexa @clevelandsaplum said...

yeah that triple chocolate trifle sounds horribly inelegant

sike.

L Sass said...

What a delightful dinner party! One thing I'm excited about for E-ton/NU is being in a smaller community again. I barely recognize my neighbors, let alone eat with them. A nice grad school community should solve that one.

Molly McGuffin said...

The girly/rockstar blog is hilarious ... it's like a legit version of "Crossroads" (which btw, I saw in the DRAMA section of blockbuster yesterday ... now that's a strech). Anyway, WHY wasn't I born an artist??? When we were about their ages, I thought we were bad-ass for our Memphis-Nashville roadtrip ... but all I remember from that is tie-dyed pillowcases, awesome pancakes, and no alcohol. Viva les bonnes filles de HHS :)

DShan said...

THANK YOU SO MUCH. branner loves you and you really helped me out, and when i think of some way to make it up to you i will.

Anonymous said...

Sounds as wonderful as your birthday party! Looking forward to your celebration dinner (Hint, hint, let's pick a date)!! :)

The Charming Hedonist said...

Do you just want to send me food? I can't cook to save my life. And everything you describe sounds so yummy!

Bayjb said...

Wow this meal sounds amazing. Makes my cereal dinner look lame.

TKTC said...

Alexa: It's box brownies, cool whip, instant chocolate pudding, Heath bars and Kahlua. I guarantee you it started in some whiskeytango Junior League of Armadillo, TX cookbook. Still good though, buddy...still good.

L Sass: You're going to know everybody's business! And then you can tell me...

McGuff: How funny are they? We should develop some kind of tour-worthy talent and hit the road. Maybe just a crepe stand. We could handle that. And...Crossroads? Blockbuster? WTF are you DOING down there?!

D: You can make it up to me by letting me walk Branner sometimes. I love the puppy.

Cam: As soon as I know how the next few weeks are looking time-wise, I am all yours! Thanks!

CH: Let's discuss this again come January. I'll be a snowbird personal chef.

Bayjb: If I were having Kashi, kefir and blueberries for dinner every night, I would lose a kilo of my bum. Maybe not the world's worst plan...

Cheryl said...

Yum. And way better than my diet of late. Although it is improving now. While I almost always accept foodstuffs, I am leaving town tomorrow morning so it might not work so well. But I love that you offered. It means so much.