The Meet-and-Greets!

Yes, plural.  Because there were two virtually identical affairs.

On Friday night, the future groom's brother, mother and mother's parents made the trek up here from the wilds of New Jersey.  The mother brought me flowers and a tin of very pricy chocolate covered cookies, which I fed to everyone after dinner.  The better not to fatten me up too much, and all of that.

The meeting went fine, of course; did anyone really expect guests to be something other than cordial?  The most memorable thing about the whole evening was that the groom's brother is huge - he makes my sons look average.  We're talking over 6'6", around 300 pounds, linebacker-style huge.  Very nice man, of course.  I told Shannon that she will be forever saying she married the shorter, better looking brother.

The second night, the groom's father and his 93 year old mother came to visit.  She was a charming old lady who came from Brazil decades ago, and still sometimes struggles for the right English word, but was highly conversational. She brought me an edible bouquet.  Have you ever had one?  They are delightful.  We passed it around for dessert.

Dinner was ham, sweet potatoes, orange almond salad and bread both nights.  I also made James Beard's Mushroom Sauce, and it was a huge hit.

The first night, we also had mashed potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts with bacon.  I fed 20 people.  The table still had its extra appendages.

The second night, we had roasted tomatoes and no mashed potatoes.  I only had to feed 12.  It was just too easy.

No dessert was required either night; both groups departed by 9PM.  Of course, my hungry hordes came to the kitchen to raid the cakes and pies still abounding there.

The ham was a humorous story - at least, it was to me.  My food supplier told me that there were 2 semi-boneless hams of 14 to 17 pounds each in a case, so I ordered a case of hams.  Now, picture me making the biggest circle I can with my arms, while saying, "Each ham was thiiissss big!"  Yep, each was 23 pounds.  So I cut them in half, used half each night, froze the rest, and some day I figure I'll need them.  My dearly beloved was irked about the quantity of ham.  I think he's over it, since there were no leftovers either night.

So, my meals all worked out as scheduled.  Everyone was stuffed.  Everyone was happy.  And now you all can laugh at my hams, too!

Happy Thorsday, everyone!