Fun Evening With Great Friends!

Last night we were invited to have dinner at our friends home, The Kelley's.  We met the Kelley's about 15 years ago, when their daughter and our daughter were on the same softball team.  My husband Greg coached the team.  We hit it off with the Kelley's right away.  They moved to our neighborhood shortly afterwards and we have been very close friends all these years.  Having dinner at the Kelley's, or The Kelley's having dinner at the Grover's was done on a regular basis.  Even on what we would often refer to as "School Night Bag O Dinner."  Which means, dinner together on a weekenight, despite the fact that we all had kids who had to go to school the next morning, and we called it Bag O' because we would combine what each of us had.  One may have had a Bag O' salad mix, and one of us may have had a Can O' ham, or Can O' beans, or whatever, and we would combine it, and have a wonderful dinner together.  Often times after our kids had practice, and we were freezing cold from sitting out at the ball park for hours, wondering what we would each go home and whip up for a quick dinner.  Then our kids grew up, moved out, and we continued our dinners.  They were sometimes simple, and sometimes elegant..  But always, no matter what was on the menu, the time spent together was full of laughter and great times.  And last night, was no exception.

Maryrose and I share a few passions and hobbies.  One of which is dishes!  But I will say, she has me beat by about 12 sets!!  And not only does she love dishes...but she has a real thing for stemware too!  I will show you more about that in a bit.  First...the meal.

Kevin grilled delicious filet mignon and New York steaks.  Maryrose prepared a heavenly angel hair pasta with fresh tomotoes, pine nuts, and torn basil on top.  A mixed green salad with walnuts and bleu cheese crumbles, red onion and a balsamic vinegar dressing.  And delicious toasted garlic bread.  YUM!

We brought the appetizers, and I cheated by ordering some sushi rolls from our favorite sushi place that the 4 of us frequent often.

Maryrose LOVES to set a pretty table.  She has more goodies to make a tablescape pretty, than anyone I know.  Tablecloths in every color, runners, napkins, rings, bling, vases, candle sticks, you name it, she has it!  She set our table for dinner in pink and black, with.....(her words here) a little bit of tacky thrown in there too.

And the tacky.......

Pink Flamingos and pigs that fly!!!  It was beautiful...pigs, flamingos and all.

For dessert....hot chocolate souffle, with fresh berries and raspberry sauce.  Instead of my inadequate words  to describe this, I will use pictures:

Yeah...it was THAT good!!

And this is how much Maryrose loves her new wine glasses.  Both large for red, and small for white!  16 of each.  In fact, 16 of everything.  Champagne flutes, water goblets, wine glasses, cordial glasses, etc.  And let's not forget the red ones for the holidays!  And then, for some reason, I had it in my head that a high ball drink was served in a short glass.  They all three knew I was bonkers, and Maryrose was quick to prove it with a  google printout, and Greg was gloating!!!

I take such abuse from them!!

We ate, we laughed, we heard some of Kevin's new book he is writing, and we cried.  We counted dishes, and laughed some more.  We made a toast to great friends.

Then as the night was turning into morning, we said our goodbyes, and left with full tummy's and happy hearts.

Thank you Kevin and Maryrose.  It is ALWAYS a pleasure!