For the first 50 years of my life, my perfectionist self mistakenly believed it was all about knowing more, getting it right, planning, attempting to prevent bad things from happening, and keeping all of my chicks in a row. It took me this long to discover that the JOURNEY is all that matters. This quote from Gilda Radner sums it all up:

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.
"


Friday, December 28, 2012

Let's Party!

My sister Lori and I have lots of things in common.

In the past year or so, though, we have embarked on
similar but very different adventures.

I started my own photography business.

Lori started a business named "Cooking Sense" with her friend Terri.
They offer cooking classes in your home for you and a group of friends.
Pick a menu.  They teach you how to make everything - hands on.
Then they leave and you enjoy a dinner party with your friends.

In addition, many people have been asking them to cater events
such as parties, wedding showers, and even weddings.

While I was visiting before Christmas, they were preparing to cater
a Christmas party, so I was happy to help out in any way I could.
After days of shopping and detailed prep work, the party began.

It couldn't have been a more perfect place for a Christmas party -
a beautiful log house on the hillside above Anchorage.






 The family had built the Anchorage airport out of gingerbread on the
island in the kitchen.  It was fabulous!






 They even made the Northern Lights and hung them from the ceiling...


As the sun was setting outside,




 the party began with appetizers...


There were skewers of tomatoes, salami, and olives drizzled with balsamic dressing...


and a cheese fondue with plenty of options for dipping!



 While the appetizers were being served, we were busy in the kitchen getting the dinner ready.


 Lori chopped lettuce for the salad.


There were many toppings for the salad and scrumptious scones.


Carrots...


 Terri was the one slaving over the stove and oven getting the hot dishes ready.


 Chicken marsala - so yummy!



 Hasselback potatoes - a Swedish recipe.


 And something special for the vegetarians in the group.



After the dinner buffet was set out for the guests to eat,
we were once again busy in the kitchen preparing for dessert.


White chocolate covered strawberries...


Home baked chocolate donuts and home-made peppermint bark.



 White chocolate mousse in home-made waffle cups.


But the hit of the dessert table, especially with the kids,
were the mini milkshakes!








Terri and Lori pulled off a VERY successful party with MANY compliments
on the delicious menu, from start to finish!



Congrats to Lori and Terri!

I'm glad I had to opportunity to see them at work and experience the work
that goes into catering a party.  I'm also glad I was just the worker bee who
did the easy stuff and had time to take pictures!

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