There was a party happening in our neighbourhood over the weekend.
Friends of ours were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.
No...we weren't among the invited guests.
But we found a way be part of the goings-on anyhow!
We arrived an hour before the guests...
in black pants and white shirts.
We were invited in.
We weren't there to eat, drink and be merry.
We were 'the help'!
Eric and Irene invited their original wedding attendants and spouses to come for dinner.
The spent all day preparing a feast for their guests.
We offered to dish it up for them...
while they sat at the table and enjoyed their own party.
We surveyed the table...
and noticed the names on the place cards.
We have only known Eric and Irene these past few years...
and never for a moment thought we might know any of their guests.
What a surprise to discover that one of the groomsmen was a childhood friend of my hubby's.
And another guest was a childhood friend of mine...
our parents were good friends.
How nice to meet...
and serve...
old friends!
The napkins were leftovers from their wedding.
Who still has napkins...
40 years later?
How special is that?
As for the dinner that we dished up and served...
it was most special as well.
* * * *
Our 40th
Anniversary Menu
Honeymoon
Greek Salad
Fresh lettuce
leaves garnished with crumbled feta cheese,
English cucumber
slices, green onion tidbits, fresh basil, and
ripe olives,
augmented by
a
homemade dressing
of olive oil, lemon juice,
and simple
seasonings
Sorbet
Amore Stuffed
Breast of Chicken
Tender chicken
breasts gently stuffed
with asiago,
parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses,
fresh mushrooms,
peppers, and crumbs
of homemade
bread, delicately enhanced with
fresh basil, salt
and pepper.
Always
Faithful Twice-Baked Potatoes
A classic
favourite, baked potatoes filled with
mashed potatoes
blended with sour cream, green onions, and
cheddar cheese.
Lemon-Kissed
Vegetable Medley
Fresh carrots and
green beans adorned with
hints of lemon,
garlic, basil and cracked pepper
Sweetheart
Cranberry Sauce
Sweetened whole
cranberries simmered
to perfection
Darling
Dessert
Old-Fashioned
Strawberry Shortcake,
like we enjoyed
at our wedding receptionfresh
strawberries and
whipped cream
hugging a tender
cake
* * * *
Would you not love to eat in that restaurant?
All dishes on the menu were recipes from the Mennonite Girls Can Cook blog or cookbook.
They just came with new names!
The party favours for dinner guests were signed copies of the MGCC cookbook.
How fun to be a part of Eric and Irene's special evening!
It seemed inappropriate for 'the help' to pull out a camera while serving the guests...
and so I will share with you a photo of the hosts...
taken 40 years ago.
They won't mind...
I'm sure.
They are out sailing the high blue seas for the next while.
Though 'the help' was quite busy in the kitchen all evening...
...I couldn't resist a few moments of reprieve on their back patio.
They have the loveliest of gardens...
and a creek in the background.
Though we may not be that informed on the 'do and don'ts' of proper table service...
we had a fine time being 'the help' for one night!
