OK…so it’s taken me a few weeks to actually get this posted, yes I am pretty busy right now with what I hope are my final preparations.
Last Friday was the spring equinox, a time that I like to celebrate . The spring equinox signals the time when the battle between light and dark, the Sun and the Moon, has come to an end and, the Sun has won. We are blessed with longer days, the sun is warmer and there is a palpable new energy in the air. The hope of new things to come. What better way to celebrate than with good food and friends. Yes…I had another dinner party.
I wasn’t even sure that I was going to be able to pull it off. I had already put in a pretty long week working at Cherry Brook Grocery, but I had not celebrated the last equinox with friends, and since this this is such a time of hope and renewal, I felt that this was the best time to get everyone together. I made a few phone calls, had friends ask friends, and it was set for Friday evening.
I did not know what to expect in terms of how many people would make it, but that soon became clear. What a group! Despite the short notice given to many, there were 32 of us for dinner. As people started to arrive, and the dining room started to fill, I was struck by a feeling of calm, as I soon realized that everyone that was there, all 32 of us, without exception, is going through a transformation of some kind in our lives. My life is changing, I am facing obstacles on a daily basis, I am taking a big leap of faith in myself, and my community. I’m taking a chance but, we are all changing, taking leaps of faith, dreaming of a better future.
I am not alone.
Some of the group.
The evening was a good opportunity for me to really see and feel what it will be like to have a full house once I open.
Dinner is served.
I have to admit here that I did not cook all the food, but I managed making chicken curry, a few curry toppings (maiata), some fresh haddock for the vegetarians in the crowd and a very few pan tossed scallops. The rest of the food was generously donated by the guests with everything from samosa to sushi, some wonderful roasted vegetables, and a few salads. Once again cooperation makes for a great evening, and a lot less work for me.
and the desserts
Everyone had a great time, with a bit of wine and conversations ranging from gardening to renovating and all points in between. With dinner finished, and before I knew what was happening, my kitchen was buzzing with laughter and the clinking of dishes as friends took over the clean up.
The cleaning crew.
What a night. Many bottles of wine later the evening came to a close and I was left with a renewed feeling of energy and confidence, enough to forge ahead and get er’ done!!
More to come.
