Friday, January 1, 2010

Maryrose's Birthday & New Year's Eve

For many years now, we have celebrated our New Year's Eve with good friends, The Kelley's.  It is also Maryrose's birthday on New Year's Eve, so we combine the two and have a really great time.  Last night was no exception.  The evening began with The Kelley's arriving, arms full of gifts and surprises.  The biggest and most fun surprise, came in a tall sleek, black case.  with the words DOM PERIGNON inscribed on the front of the box.  This was no ordinary box.  More like a custom built house for  the delicious treasure it held.  None of us had ever tasted this special bubbly before.  It did not disappoint!
But first, the dinner.  We started off with caprese skewers.  Drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and dusted with smoked salt and cracked pepper.  


Dinner was grilled salmon, and my new favorite way to make potatoes (hasselback) from For The Love Of Cooking.  Oven roasted asparagus, field green salad with craisins, almonds, and feta. This is not a good picture, but Maryrose was the official photographer for the night.   Dinner was filled with lively conversation, and laughs.   


For the rest of the evening, Maryrose became, The Mysterious Maryrose.....showing only her eyes, peeking out from her blankie.



Or her book.........Maryrose and I are Lifetime Weight Watchers, and I saw this book and thought of her, since she has a real thing for macaroni and cheese!!!  
We went into the family room to enjoy the fire and have cake and coffee.  

Now, I have been told a time or two that I like to keep my  house cold enough to hang meat!  Do you suppose THAT is why Maryrose is covered up in a blankie all night?  And why Kevin is throwing a tree into the fire.....?  Hmmm?


But when the bubbly started to flow....we all warmed up!!!!!!!


Happy Birthday my forever dear friend.  And thank you for sharing your birthday and New Year's Eve with us. And your bubbly too!!!!  We had a great time!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

11 comments:

Red Geranium Cottage said...

What a good time. You two have been friends forever haven't you? Kris did you make her cake? It is soooo pretty. It looks good too. The whole dinner looked great.
Happy birthday to MaryRose and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Hugs

Lauri said...

Can't think of a better way to ring in a new year...good food and good friends. Happy New Year!

Katie said...

That dinner looked delicious!!! Great way to ring in the new year! Was that a carrot cake I saw? That looked divine.

Genn said...

Looks like you guys had a great time! The food looks delicous! And Dom Perignon, fancy. I have never had that either. Does it taste much better than other champagne? I would imagine it does, but how much better? Maybe you should buy me some so I can try it. hee hee

Kris said...

Genny, YES....it is better...SO much better. I had bought a bottle of champagne at BevMo. I bought a medium priced bottle that the man at BevMo suggested. We compared that one to the Dom, and there simply was no comparison!!!

Debbie said...

It just doesn't get any better. Good friends, good food, and good times. Your dinner sounded sooo good. And carrot cake? definitely my absolute favorite. Once I get started on that there is no stopping me, haha. I had to laugh at your remark about your house being cold enough to hang meat as mine has FREQUENTLY been described the same way, haha. It has also been said, "cold enough to see your breath, and cold enough to have ice form in a left out glass of water." haha It REALLY isn't that cold, I just can't stand a hot house. My mother always arrives looking like she is dressed for a now storm, and carrying her own blankie. I ALWAYS light a fire when people are coming, and the oven is usually on, and with people it is PLENTY warm, lol. Anyway, sounded like a great way to ring in the New Year. We should definitely plan lunch and shopping in downtown Upland. Sounds fun. May this next year be truly blessed for you and your family Kris. Hugs, Debbie

deb said...

Dinner looks sooooooooooo yummy......my birthday is in MArch....lolololol

Kelly said...

What a yummy night! And the carrot cake looks so pretty!

And... I didn not know that you keep your house cold... my mom does too. But her reasoning is because she's too cheap to keep the heater on. =)

Happy New Year!

Cathy said...

What a wonderful way to spend New Year's Eve, celebrating a birthday with friends. Your dinner looked delicious, especially the birthday cake.

Maryrose said...

Hi Stranger,
I have been merrily (or unmerrily) undecking my halls and have not had time to sit at my computer (shame on me for missing this post). If I had, I would have commented on this exquisite, outstanding, totally fun and extremely quick evening we shared. Dinner was so good that everyone ate every last morsel from their plates (I may have licked mine) and the cake was delicious...you always remember that carrot cake is my favorite. The company was to die for...the evening flew by and after champagne my second wind kicked in, but alas it was time to go home.

Thank you my dear, dear friend. One knows they are truly loved when someone special makes you feel so special, as you did. The table looked as good as the food tasted and we couldn't have celebrated in a better way.

I consider myself lucky to have you as my BFF. Hope 2010 gives us more time together... and I think I need to get in on some of those resolutions, they sound terrific.

Thanks again Kris, and thanks to Greg.....you guys are the best
Love
Maryrose
PS I will post some pics of the evening...and when are we taking that photo class????
Genn, the champagne was delicious....I hope we can make it an annual tasting.... you need to try it.

Kristi said...

Oh Kris, my Mom told me what a wonderful time she had at your home. She always has such a good time, and the pictures show it!! As you can see in her comment above mine, that she cherishes your friendship! Wish I had in on that champagne, it sounds divine!

The food looked amazing, as usual, and I love all of those pictures of my Mom hiding!! Classic Mom. Never lets us capture her pretty face!

Hope this new year brings happiness to you and yours!!

XOXO