Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Does this ever happen to you?

Ok, first off, I posted some pics from the holiday party if you are interested, check out that old post.

Ok, so this happens to us much more frequently than it seems like it should.

Last night Matty was doing his sit-ups and says "Hey, can I ask you something?" and I say "Uh huh" and keep doing what I was doing, at the time, Christmas shopping online for my godson. And he says "Does that hole in the wall look familiar?"

Now, generally walls are things that should not have holes. Especially unfamiliar holes. In my opinion anyway. Plus, the way he was looking, I didnt remember there being a hole there.

So I look up and there is in fact a hole. But not a wall-crumbing-down hole. A man made hole. With an open metal box and red wires inside (and hanging out) of it. Near the ceiling, behind the couch. A hole. With wires. The only thing we know that is supposed to be done in the apartment is a light being put in the ceiling of the shower. This is directly below the shower. But below. And there are lights in the bathroom. So why would a hole need to be made in the living room wall? Plus, we were told that no work would be done in the shower until after the new year. AND all the recent work that has been done in the apartment has been messy. But there was no new drywall dust, no moved furniture.

So I was generally freaked out.

But here's the thing. This isnt the first time something like this has happened. Back when the first hole was made in the living room ceiling to "fix" the shower leak we (me and our landlords) moved the couch in order to put a ladder up. And there was a 1 foot by 1 foot piece of carpet missing. From under the couch. We later found out that it was because an idiot insurance agent took it. When the first plumber came out to look at the shower, we found a hole in the ceiling where he apparently stuck his finger through the soft spot made by the drip. We came home one day from work and found that the tree that used to be behind our backyard fence was gone. As was the fence.

Does this happen to other people? Things disappearing. Or appearing in their apartment?

Ok, so when I uploaded the picture I noticed the weird discoloration of the paint. You cant see that just looking at it. So did they put in a hole, and then repaint and somehow manage to not completely destroy our couch?

Monday, December 14, 2009

Holiday Party 2009

I know it has been forever, but I have been really busy. With so many things. One of the things I have been most busy with recently was my holiday party. I look forward to this party all year. I start planning in August. I sent out the invitations in October. I start setting my menu in November (only because Matty cant handle me doing it earlier) and it is set by Thanksgiving. I started cooking on the 6th. I love doing it. The decorating and the music and the planning and the cooking and the favors and everything. Except maybe the shopping. Though I do love the reason to go to Wegman's!

It went really really well. There were 33 people in total (representing Boston, Maryland, New York and of course Philly), which is pretty considerable since we have a tiny apartment. But everyone seemed to have a good time. I thought I would at least post the menu here. If anyone is interested in any recipes, let me know. I will also hopefully post pictures soon. (Edit: some picture have been added)

Oh, by the way, we had an International theme.

Africa and Asia:
Morocco:
Moroccan Country Bread
Kefta (meatballs)
Sweet Onion Raisin Sauce
Ras el Hanout dipping oil

India:
Indian Spiced Cocktail Nuts
Curry Dip
Roasted Onion Raita
Naan (bought)

Thailand:
Tempeh Cakes
Thai Dipping Sauce
Peanut Sauce

China:
Edamame Ginger Dip
Rice Crackers (bought)
Chinese Potsticker
Potsticker Dipping Sauce
Spicy Mango Sauce
Plain and Mushroom-Vegetable Steamed Buns (bought)

The Americas:
Tortilla and Plantain Chips (bought)

Mexico:
Tomatillo Salsa
Crispy Corn Cakes
Smoky Black Bean Salsa
Cotija (bought)

Venezuela:
Arepas
Avocado Salsa
Black Beans

Southeastern USA:
Creole Corn Bread
Andouille (bought) and Biscuits
Remoulade Sauce

Europe:
The UK:
Irish Soda Bread
Irish Cheddar with Porter (bought)
White Stilton with Cranberries (bought)

Spain:
Marinated Olives
Salted Almonds
Hazelnut Romesco Sauce
Chorizo (bought) and Red Wine
Soy Chorizo (bought) and Red Wine
Spanish Meatballs in Almond Sauce

Italy:
Marinated Olives
Roasted Tomato and Almond Pesto
White Bean and Roasted Garlic Spread
Meatballs
Marinara
Fresh Rosemary Foccacia
Broccoli Rabe
Tuscan Bread (bought)

Croatia:
Potato Bread
Stuffed Tomatoes
Sour Cream Sauce

Greece:
Tzatziki
Skordalia
Pita (Bought)
Keftedes (meatballs)

Turkey:
Feta Baked Hummus
Za'atar yogurt dip
Pita (bought)
Kofte (meatballs)
Baba Ghanoush

Other:
Chicken Skewers
Assorted Crackers (bought)
Veggies (celery sticks, baby carrots, grape tomatoes)
Gluten Free Bread
Hot Spiced Cider (bought)

Dessert:
Chocolate Chip Cheese Dip
Pumpkin Dip
Oreo Balls
Raspberry Coulis
Caramel Sauce (bought following tragic burning of homemade caramel)
Graham crackers, Newman O's, strawberries, angel food cake (bought)

Cookies and Candies (favors):
Peppermint Bark
Peanut Butter Toffee Bark
Graham Cracker Bark
Crunchy Sesame Cookies
Chewy Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti
Croatian Honey Biscuits
Molasses-Spice Cookies
Whiskey Balls
Butter Balls (aka Mexican Wedding Cookies or Russian Tea Cakes)
Toffee Cookies
Pfeffernusse
Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Most things were made vegan if possible. And everything was meticulously (or obsessively, depending on your point of view) based on meat, gluten, soy or nut content.

Oh and I made snowglobes as favors as well.

Things I learned: you can stuff a tomato with damn near anything and at least some people will love it. I need to work on recognizing how much a recipe will make. 4 cups or any dip or spread is way too much!

And Matty is still talking to me. God Bless Him. He was up until about 5:30 Sunday morning cleaning, not to mention the several hours of cooking and baking and grocery shopping each and every night, I put him through the previous week.