high hopes

One day I will be a natural at dinner parties. I will be capable of a beautiful spread in under 30 minutes. I will make my kids fetch the table cloths from a linen closet and set a proper table. I will effortlessly have a photograph-worthy meal on the table when Ben calls on his way home from his adult job to tell me he invited a coworker over for dinner. I will have candles burned low because of all the hours spent at the dinner table in good conversation. I will be so confident that I will be no more flustered by hosting a party of two than a party of ten. One day. 

But these days, dinner parties are a gem to me. They are my favorite challenge and one of my most rewarding joys. I lovelovelove to sit around a table with Ben and our friends or family. I know I can get food on the table and I know Ben can carry the conversation (he is, after all, the coolest person I know).  I know that these moments are to be cherished because I do not always get the time off or inspiration to cook and cook well. For now, I am grateful for each opportunity. "One day" will come. 

Last Sunday we had some friends over for dinner and they brought their two handsome boys. Quimby dog was on his worst behavior that night, too enticed by the food always so precariously poached on the end of the youngest boy's fork. Quimby's head is level with the table so he was taking every opportunity to help clean up any food dropped onto the tablecloth (what a good host?). After admonishing Quimby for nearly licking directly onto our little friend's plate, I look over just in time to see our little friend bend his adorable head down to lick the table cloth himself, clearly following Quimby's good example. This is my type of dinner party!

I served chicken with herb roasted tomatoes and pan sauce over goat cheese polenta and roasted asparagus as a side. I also made some coffee ice cream with chopped dark chocolate toffee bits (recipe later). Here is the chicken recipe if anyone is interested: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-with-Herb-Roasted-Tomatoes-and-Pan-Sauce-51108240

Cheers!