A Dinner Party

It's been a while since we've had company for dinner

But Saturday night we had two favorite friends for dinner

The table set in the dining room

Spode Blue Room, Grandmother's Cutlery, Fresh flowers in an etched ice bucket, etched glass candleholders

In lieu of a table cloth, a runner, placemats and napkins

All matching, all linen, vintage from the 50s and never used until last night!

We start all dinner parties in the parlor

With drinks and a nibble

We chose to start the evening with wine

And we like simple snacks -- we've learned that fussy appetizers are not a good idea

Cheese and crackers and smoked prosciutto

We started with a salad 

And then moved on to the main course . . . 

A smoked pork butt

(Husband Jim spent all day tending his pork)

Fresh asparagus roasted and then a drizzle of lemon juice over all, a lump of butter

and lemon zest to finish

Cheese Grits from the Louisville Junior League Cookbook

a recipe found by Daughter Sarah and served by both of us . . . often

Called Grits Gruyere -- we make it with any kind of cheese

This one is smoked Gouda -- a recommendation by same Daughter Sarah

It was outstanding and grits loathing guests often take seconds!

Often instead of serving plates, we put the main course on the table

in the breakfast room so guests can help themselves

Rolls, butter and wine are passed at table

Dessert

An apricot cheesecake -- the crust was made from cornflakes

The cheese cake was good.   I was not enamored with the cornflake crust

and if I make it again, I will use a regular graham cracker crust.

(especially since I had to buy a whole box of cornflakes for 1 1/2 cups of crumbs!)

It was a fun party,

lots of good conversation

And I enjoy a dinner party of six

For everyone can participate in the conversation

When you get 8, you often have two conversations going

And with 10 or 12, you definitely do.

They left late but both dining room and kitchen were tidy before we went to bed.

It was fun to have company again!