Good news: Pat's birthday party yesterday turned out to be a great success and we all had a wonderful time! After my usual histrionics, with weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth because of the predicted snow, I was overjoyed when it held off. The most regretful part was that brother-in-law Bill and his family were unable to be there, as Regina's surgery was postponed until yesterday and naturally, Bill and their daughters needed to be with her. A few of the out-of-towners were not able to be with us, but most came, and what a great bunch.
The party was terrific. Daughter Alison decorated the room, and included a "story board" of wonderful old pictures of Pat from childhood to present. On the walls, she hung huge enlargements of newspaper articles concerning his Holy Spirit H.S. football exploits and other items. To top it off, she showed a wonderful CD on Pat's life that she projected from Mike's laptop onto a big screen. The food was very good: sandwiches of ham and cheese, roast beef, and turkey, each on a different bread; delicious chicken rice soup, two kinds of green salad, plus pickles, chips, and drinks. After the singing of "Happy Birthday," the cake was cut and served by staff (it wa excellent) along with coffee. Judging by what the guests commented, and by observation, everybody had a wonderful time.
We then hosted the party after the party back at the house. Our immediate family (remember, that's ten people right there) plus brother and sis-in-law Larry and Helen and friend Jack came in, along with Pat's nephew, Pat, and my niece and husband, Joan and Jim. Larry and Helen left to go to mass, then continued on to their overnight accommodations, but brother Jim, wife Therese, and daughter Chrissy came in after the later service, and we had a terrific time together. They're staying at a bed and bath in Tuckerton, less than 2 miles away. We were so pleased and relieved about that when the weather forecast got more and more ominous.
Oh, yes, this is a food blog: Well, I served chili and what I used to call "slymphie stew" (long story; it's just macaroni with ground meat and sauce), both in crockpots. Had three kinds of rolls, banana bread, and a big salad, and Alison contributed a rice dish and corn pudding, about which everybody raved. Of course, we also had wine, soda, and so on. For dessert, I served apple cake, amaretto cake, and chocolate-covered pretzels from Pat's niece, Donna. There was plenty of food, and the chili made a big hit. We had the best time talking, laughing, and joking together and--happy day!--next week I get to do it over again. I'll see my lovely extended family in Virginia when niece Chrissy hosts an 80th birthday party for her dad, Jim, my big brother.
Today? We got up to a blizzard, with several inches on the ground already. Ellen's flight back to California from Philly had been scheduled for this morning, but was postponed to 7 pm tonight. She stayed at Alison's, who will drive her there. The boys left at 6:45, about an hour ago, as (incredibly!) Patrick's flight back to Tokyo (from Newark) is still on for 11:00 am. Luckily, Mike had rented a big, 2006 Land Rover and is now driving his brother there. He'll then continue on to Manhattan for the business portion of his trip. He just called to say they were on the Parkway and driving conditions were okay.
So---it all worked out! The party was wonderful, the food was great, and the company was superb. I should never forget what a lucky woman I am.