Southern Style Dinner Party

Last Saturday night January 10th I had the largest dinner party to date at Chez Laurie--31 folks!  The theme was 'Southern Style' and my sweet mom and I spent two solid days cooking up a storm. Here was the menu:

fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas, butter beans, corn muffins, potato salad, biscuits, corn pudding, mac and cheese and barbeque!

This was one of the best parties I have ever had--I had a blast!  I think this was because all the cooking was done beforehand, so I was able to relax, drink wine and really enjoy myself.  All the food went off without a hitch, and everyone really seemed to have a good time.

See picture link on the right!

Prague--a magical place

Well, I just spent a wonderful week in Prague, Czech Republic. My good friends Shane and Barbara decided to get hitched, and do it up in style! Friends and family descended on this beautiful European city for a week of eating, drinking and debauchery. I made wonderful new friends, spent time with dear old friends, and generally got my Prague on.

The architecture in Prague is stunning. Most of the historic buildings are still true to original form, being spared during WWII. Styles include Art Nouveau, Baroque, Renaissance, Cubist, Gothic, Neo-Classical and ultra-modern.

My friend, Sherry, and I arrive in Prague on Tuesday November 25 around noon to our hotel, U Stare Pani. This spot was located on an old cobblestone street very near the famous Old Towne Square. We were fortunate enough to arrive a day prior to most of the other guests, so we were able to

enjoy an evening out with Shane and Barbara, wandering around the city and drinking beer.

On Wednesday November 26 I celebrated my 38th birthday! Pictured here is me with my friend Sherry at the Palffy Palace Restaurant. This place came recommended to me by my dear friend, Tina...and was amazing. Sherry, Farley, Joe, Tim and I wined and dined in this 4 star restaurant sitting at the foot of the Prague Palace. It was truly one of the best birthday celebrations I have ever had.

Thursday November 27 was Thanksgiving Day, and after a day of touring around and having the best Thai massage of my life we had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner Czech style with the whole wedding gang at U Zlate Convice.

After dinner, some of us headed on over to the Prague State Opera House for 'Carmen'. Though I discovered that opera is not really my cup of tea, it was worth the trip to see the amazing opera house. I was mezmorized by the detail and beauty of this place.

Friday and Saturday were wedding festivities and more touring around Prague---see link to pictures to the right!

Happy Birthday, Stacy!

This is my awesome friend, Stacy---she turns one year closer to 40 today :)  Stacy is married to Ryan and is a school teacher in Washington.  She has two daughters, Riley (see pic) and Erin.

I met Stacy in 1995 in Big Sky, Montana.  We worked together at the 320 Guest Ranch in Gallatin Canyon.  That was the same year we got to know our hot and famous friend Mark Norby who is Matthew McConaughey's stunt double and buddy.  We spent most evenings at the Half Moon Saloon drinking and carousing.  Sometimes we had to work the breakfast shift at the Ranch.  One night Stacy drank so much that she spent our shift the next morning puking in the bathroom, and I had to work all by myself.  Thanks, Stacy!

Stacy's grandmother always told her that she looks like Connie Selleca, and it is pretty much true--just check out this picture!

Happy birthday, Stacy :)

My girl, Angela

This is my beautiful friend Angela and her daughter, Clare. Angela and her husband Bill live outside of Roanoke, VA with their children, Clare and Will. Angela and I met while working at The Riverwood Restaurant in Blowing Rock, NC in 1991. I was a waitress and Angela was a bartender/wine expert. Those are what I would call 'the good ole' days'.

Angela and I have so many wonderful memories. This picture is from Halloween 1995 when we dressed up as midgets! Yes, indeed--we thought we were pretty crafty. Anytime I hang out with this girl my cheeks hurt from laughing--we have such a great time. On top of all that, Angela is one of the most non-judgmental people I have ever known, and a wonderful friend.

Happy birthday, Ang!

My Buddy, Bennett!

This is my very dear friend, Bennett.

Bennett and I met in 1995 in Big Sky, Montana and became fast friends. When I shaved my head that summer, he was the only person I knew who actually like it (besides me)! One time Bennett and I drove across the US of A from Big Sky to Boone, North Carolina...and we didn't kill each other. He claims that I ruined his clutch on that trip. Whatever.

Anyway--we are still quite close and are the last 2 standing member of 'The Golden Girls Club'. When we are old we plan on living in a big house together, eating cheese cake and gossiping. Like usual, he will be the floosie and I will be the rational one.

Bennett is one of the most gentle souls. He is a brilliant writer and is funny as all get out.

I love him dearly :)

Bookclub: Chatting About The Poisonwood Bible

When I first moved back to Durham in April, 2006 I decided to start a book club, something I have always wanted to do.  I posted an add on Craig's List, and ended up with 12 of the coolest women I have ever met!

We meet once a month to drink wine, eat good food and discuss our book of choice.  Tonight Lisa, Aura, Julie, Sherry, Colleen, Lindsey and Sara gathered at my house to chat about Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible.  It doesn't happen very often that we agree, but we actually all loved this book, and it made for an energetic, heated and well rounded discussion.  

Other books our bookclub has read:

Mating by Norman Rush

The Last Girls by Lee Smith

The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty

Independence Day by Richard Ford

Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

A Thousand Pieces of Gold by Ruthann McCunn

Middlesex by Jefferey Eugenides

Blindness by Jose Saramago

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon

Seeing by Jose Saramago

Brick Lane by Monica Ali

The Human Stain by Phillip Roth

A Thread of Grace by Maria Doria Russell

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

The Pearl by John Steinbeck

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J Gaines

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

My favorite was Blindness---LOVED IT

Friends and Food--Dinner Party

WOW--what a great night!  The food was amazing, and the atmosphere was relaxed and fun.  Everything went off without a hitch and folks stayed well into the evening chatting, drinking and laughing.

I'm exhausted today--but it was worth it!

See link for pictures :)

Prelude to dinner party....

Tonight Simeon and I are hosting a little party of around 30 of our good friends.  Fortunately, I am not doing the cooking, Simeon and Freddy are taking care of all the food, and here is our menu:

Potato and celery root empanadas

Crudite

Antipasto

Shrimp and cucumbers with remoulade

Herbed and goat cheese crostini

Hummus

Rosemary and lemon chicken

Pork loin

Pasta bar with sauces

Mashed sweet potatoes with jalapenos and brown sugar

Glazed carrots and parsnips

Cornbread

Mixed green salad

Banana pudding

Chocolate decadent cake

DAMN!  pics and details to follow....

It's a done deal!

Lowanna and Chip were married this weekend.  I have to say, this was one of the most perfect weddings ever!  I loved that it was very simple.  There was no fanfare, just friends gathered around a sweet ceremony.

The event was held at Lowanna and Chip's beautiful home.  Plenty of great food, music, drink and good cheer!

I have know this girl forever--we have so many hilarious stories.  We traveled together in Central America (where we should have died at least 10 times),  all over the northwest USA and several trips to NYC.  We were also roommates in Big Sky, Montana back when we were ski bums.  Lowanna has always been unconditionally happy with reckless abandon--a quality I envy and admire :)

I hate to gloat, but...

Simeon and I went on up to Madison, WI for Lowanna's wedding. We had a great time, the wedding was beautiful, and I won the bet!  

Our bet was about the song Jungle Love by Steve Miller.  I believed the lyrics are 'You treat me like I was your ocean; you swim in my blood when it's warm'---and Simeon said that I must be high.

I won.  I never win.

I love this picture of Simeon--damn!

Lowanna is getting hitched!

This is my old and dear friend Lowanna.  She and I met in 1992 when we were both working at The Red Onion Cafe in Boone, NC while attending Appalachian State University.  Back in the day, Lowanna swore to never get married and have kids :)

This weekend Simeon and I are traveling to Madison, WI to help her celebrate her marriage to Chip!  Not only that, but she is now stepmom to his two young sons.  She is as happy as I have ever known her to be, and I can't wait to be a part of this celebration...

My friend Sherry

This is my good friend, Sherry. She has lived the most interesting life and often I am awestruck by her stories. She grew up in the Bronx and when she was 15 she moved to Israel to be in the Israeli army--she was there for Six Day War! She lived in NYC during the Studio 54 days and in San Francisco when Jerry Garcia was making his mark. She is an amazing woman, and a wonderful friend.

Sherry just celebrated her 60th birthday in Buenos Aires--happy birthday, Sherry!