New Year's Eve Feast with Family

"You have to smell and taste your ingredients." says the wise chef. That would be my man. (Hmmm, I wonder if he means all ingredients.) Course, if it's chocolate, whipped cream and peanut butter, I'll taste all the ingredients.

We are all together this New Year's Eve afternoon, eating an early supper before everyone heads off to different activities. Ryan is the only one missing; he is spending the night at my parent's house. The rest of us made the meal in a group effort.

Listening to "Straight No Chaser", the kitchen is bustling with activity. Leonard, Heather, and Aaron are handling the hot foods on the stove, I am making the salad and Amy is doing the dishes. Adrienne is gearing up for a night of no sleep by taking a nap. I love the somewhat organized chaos, the 18 different conversations going on at once, the tangle of too many people in a crowded kitchen, the being together.

The counter is actually empty for 2 seconds.

Leo, Aaron, and Heather

Me and Heather taking a break.

The menu:
                     Roast Chicken
                     Alfredo Noodles
                     Seafood blend (Squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels)

It actually was quite delicious! Maybe next I'll try sushi. Maybe.

                 Stir-fried peppers and onions

Yummy!

                   Tossed Salad with mixed greens                

                   Crusty Ciabatta Bread

Even better smothered in butter...mmmm

                     Brownies a'la Heather
                     Tropical punch blend

Now, 2 hours later, I can say that I tasted all the ingredients...and they were scrumptious. The time we spent together was even better.

Happy New Year!

Dianne