Get Togethers and Food

Meeting up with friends and eating good food is one of my favorite things to do. It's a good opportunity for me to try new recipes that I normally might not because a lot of recipes serves 4 or more. DH and I do not mind eating leftovers, but there is a limit to how long we want to keep eating the same thing.

On Sunday, we invited my friends, Jennifer and Jason, over for lunch. They brought their 2 yr old daughter, Veronica, and their dog, Willow (aka Napoleon's girlfriend). Melody has an intense fascination with Veronica. It's as if she knows that Veronica is a child and can relate to her. Of course, my boys (the dogs) had a great time with Willow. The house was bustling with noises from children, dogs and adult conversations, though I think the dogs and children were the only sounds you could hear.I started off the lunch with a appetizer, Clams Casino. 3 dozen Little Neck Clams topped with a mixture of herbs, bread crumbs, butter and bacon. My little sister taught me this recipe a few weeks ago when she came to visit. It's one of those recipes that doesn't need a recipe.The main event was a Spinach and Proscuitto Lasagna. I used fresh made ricotta cheese and fresh lasagna pasta sheets that I bought. Those two fresh ingredients really made a difference. The recipe is from this month's Everyday Food. Next time I am going to omit the proscuitto or use less. It made the lasagna a little too salty.I couldn't get Veronica to stand still for a photo. She was having too much fun. This along with other blurry pics is what I got.Due to your requests of Melody photos, here is a photo of her learning to drive. The driving toy is really cute and says things like, "Slow down little fellow", "Out of the way!", "Hold on tight!".


Now the winners of the hand dyed yarn contest. I used a online random number generator and it picked number 6 and 36. Hannah asked not be entered because she doesn't knit with animal fibers and someone else commented twice, so after taking that into account, the winners are: Rohanknitter and Little Bird Big City. Please email me at oiyi.yau(at)gmail(dot)com with your address and what your first choice color is. First come, first serve.

Now, I got to run! I am going to the NYS Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York this weekend. I am catching a train Upstate tonight to stay with a friend. This is my first time away from Melody overnight. I already miss her so much. I prepared all her meals and put them in the freezer, typed out instructions for DH about her schedule, and layed out all her clothes. Yes, I am that type of mother.

I'll be posting my Yarn Haul next week. And I am maybe bringing something very special back, fiber related of course.