A few nights ago, Wednesday to be exact, i hosted dinner for a few good friends, at our house, for the very first time. i was excited. even before the barefoot contessa came about in the tube, i’ve played 3pm tea with raggedy ann and andy many many times. it was something that i’ve wanted to do for so long. i just didn’t have “what it takes” to make this happen. but many many years after, i found myself setting a date and inviting my girlfriends over for a quiet christmas dinner. napa-subo ako because i wasn’t able to give them a ‘wrapped’ present during our school’s christmas party and gift giving. ack! oh well, i thought. isipin mo nalang, dream come true mo ito! i had the picture in my mind. the dinnerware, the candles, the music, the menu, the table set up…..there’s just one problem, i still do not have everything that it takes to make it happen. augh. and being the Obsessive Compulsive that i am (or so, i was told), this was upsetting. I had to make do with what as available. applied the wedding quote : of Something old;something new, something borrowed, something…blue? tsk. but it’s already tuesday! grrr. make do, make do, it’ll be okay. i tell myself.
so the day came. i asked alexis to light the candles as 3 of the 7 came. 7:10 PM. i was in and out of the kitchen, helping the chef. then the other 2 came. i asked dillan to bring the speakers down. in and out of the kitchen again. finally, the last of the dishes was served. said grace and thanksgiving then satisfied our palettes al fresco. 8 o’clock. hours and hours down the line, plates were brought for seconds and thirds, glasses were refilled, laughter rung and conversation carried on. it was deep into the chilly night and the survey question was brought up.
What is your best and worst of 2009 and what do you look forward to 2010?
deep in thought as expected. but shared with heart and soul. we were all moved.
i just had to add:
What then do you wish for each one, here.
we laughed, teared up and applauded each other. it was 2 AM. (and it was time to go)
as i was cleaning up and right before i blew the last candle out, i sat down and recalled the night that was. the chef fixing up a sumptuous dinner in under 2 hours, the children involved in the welcoming party, the cool december breeze, mix matched dinnerware, the lack of sparkling wine, tiny bits of insects flying around once in a while and everything else that went along with it. tsk. it wasn’t what i had in mind. it was definitely far better.
so, Ina Garten, move over.
