HOLIDAY PARTY in MASS!

[perc-o-prince]

Hey there,

We have the house back, well, 95% back anyway, and would like to have a holiday party. But, time is tight for everyone right now. So, we'll plan one for January as kind of a 'last hurrah' for the holidays!

We're looking at January 9th. The plan would be pot-luck finger foods/appetizers/desserts. Things people can grab and go. We had a party like that last night w/ Rich's work people, and it went over very well!

By the way, in case a lot of bad weather is forecast for that day, we would do it the following Saturday, the 16th. The final determination would be made on Thursday the 7th, right here on this thread.

It was a real bummer that we couldn't have a summer party with everything that was going on, but we're thrilled to be able to do this one. Up until a couple of weeks ago, it was still up in the air!

Please let us know if you're available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich and Chuck

 

[kenmore58]

I'm in!

Ron

 

[louvac]

Count me in too!

Louis

 

[shawn]

I will be there!!

 

[bobbyderegis]

Count me in too.
Bobby in Boston

 

[perc-o-prince]

I forgot to mention that we were thinking of starting it in the afternoon... say, 2:00?? No ending time- whatever time it ends, it ends! Our party this past Saturday finally ended at about 2am with people coming and going at all times!

We could put food out at intervals so nothing goes bad, and everyone's food is enjoyed! Whaddya think?

Chuck

 

[perc-o-prince]

bump

.

 

[toploader55]

Hey Rich and Chuck

I have not spoken to John yet, but there is a chance I can make it this year. More than likely, we would drive up together. Is that OK John ??? LOL

 

[bobbyderegis]

Me thinks I just might play like crap at the church service the following morning. (hic)
Bobby in Boston

 

[super32]

ME TOOOO

Are spouse/date/signifficant others welcome? I would LOVE to come. Unfortunatlly for me the week between the 2 dates you mentioned i will be out of town. I SHOULD be able to make it as long as work doesnt radicaly alter my plan. Keep us posted as to the menu, or what you would like for us to bring.

Scott Z.

 

[coldspot66]

Noted on calendar....now let's see.....what shall I bring?????

 

[toggleswitch2]

GadgetGary is working on getting the night off, so that we both may attend.

Let me know if a spanakopita and a pastitsio are in order.
If not, let me know what I/we can make to "fill the gap"

Salad, vegetables, roasted meats, rice, oven-roasted potaotes. You name it.

Shall I be daring and bring dandelions *LOL*?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastitsio

 

[toggleswitch2]

Girls, boys an girly-boys:

NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, NH, VT, ME,

If you are from these states, you need to show up! This is a laugh-riot, good time. Nothing beats the boys' hospitality!

Launderess, where can I pick you up for the drive? How about the Astoria Boulevard stop of the "N" train in Queens, at the foot of the RFK (formerly the Tri-borough) Bridge?

 

[bobbyderegis]

Spanakopita?!!

My favorite Greek food!
Bobby in Boston

 

[toggleswitch2]

Well in all fairness, it is pretty popular in the enitre Balkan region......

 

[bobbyderegis]

But the name is Greek in origin, no?
Bobby in Boston

 

[toggleswitch2]

Salt on top of feta , are you mad? *LOL*

yes 'tis.

Same stuff, different names!

Recipe Three
Albanian Vegetable Pies (Albanian Name: Byrek shqiptar me perime)

Servings: 4-6.
Albanian pies are generally made of thin pastry leaves which can be rolled out at home or bought as FILO dough at a supermarket. Most of the pies prepared by Albanian cooks are not sweet; instead, pie fillings are almost always salty. Thus, a piece of such a pie may well serve as the main dish of a meal.

Spinach Pie (Albanian Name: Byrek me spinaq)

Ingredients:

1 cup oil, preferably olive oil
1 1/2 packets (or about 30) pastry leaves (Filo Dough)
1 1/2 pounds spinach, chopped
1 cup diced feta cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 eggs
salt, half teaspoon
(NOTE: A medium-sized, round baking pan is recommended because it's more authentic but any medium-sized baking pan will do).

Cooking Instructions:

Brush the baking pan with some of the oil, and start laying the pastry leaves inside. First, lay two leaves, sprinkle or brush with oil, then lay two other leaves, and repeat the procedure until half of the leaves are laid. Make sure that they cover the pan by hanging them about one inch over the edges of the pan.
Sprinkle spinach with salt, then mix well by hand. Add the feta cheese, oil, onions, eggs and salt, and spread this mixture over the already laid pastry leaves. Finish by covering the spinach with the rest of the pastry leaves repeating the first-half procedure and then roll the hanging edges of the bottom leaves over the pie (think of a pizza crust), sprinkle top with oil and bake moderately at 3501_F for about 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve hot, accompanied with buttermilk, or beaten yogurt, thinned down in cold water or with chilled stewed prunes. Enjoy it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[toggleswitch2]

I live on in infamy.

My Puerto Rican ex makes a mean Spanakopita.

..and he wonders WHY his family always asks for me when he arrives at holiday time with a pita platter in hand! *LOL*

 

[peteski50]

HOLIDAY PARTY

I am going to try to make it. I will let you guys know!
Best Wishes
Peter

 

[bobbyderegis]

Toggles:
I'll leave the cooking to you. That recipe scares me, too complicated.
Bobby in Boston

 

[toggleswitch2]

oh Bobby:

There are two ways to a man's heart. I've got the one down to a science.................

 

[toggleswitch2]

..And I think your profession means you are well-practiced in the same general area. LOL

 

[perc-o-prince]

Some questions to answer.....

YES. Spouses, Significant Others, et cetera (two legs only, please), are welcomed!!!

As far as what to bring, we're trying to keep it as finger-or-toothpick-oriented as possible. Of course we'll have forks and the like though! With the party we had Saturday, we found that people were able to mingle more because they didn't have to be tied to a seat, and they were also more free to go back again several times to try other goodies! We, Rich and I, also found that we were able to spend more time with the guests!

We're not planning on having chafing dishes out, though we know a couple of warming trays may be needed. If you need to heat your goodies, please keep in mind that we won't have the upstairs kitchen available (a.k.a. storage room #3). The downstairs oven and micro will be available for your use.

Steve--- are you in charge of transporting Launderess?? That would be SUPER! It's always a little bit of extra fun when those who haven't been here before attend (same for you Eddie and Scott!!!).

Now, should we also do a YANKEE SWAP? It's a great way to pass along something that may be a duplicate, and get a surprize in return! We never guessed that the washer feed hoses we got would have come in handy so soon! PLEASE weigh in on this.... want to do YS or not???

Chuck

 

[toggleswitch2]

One can only offer. One does not truly believe that our Laundress shall cross the river to leave Manhattan.

Especially, of course, if one of her candle-lit suppers was already arranged.

 

[toggleswitch2]

I vote yes.

The Gadget and I have been thrifting all during the year for just such event.

 

[xraytech]

I would love to come and meet you all, not sure if it will be feasible for me to do so.

 

[bobbyderegis]

Toggles:
Hee Hee Hee!
Bobby in Boston

 

[jetcone]

Sounds like a plan

Putting it on my calendar.

happy holidays everyone!

 

[perc-o-prince]

Hey Sam (xraytech),

It's about 10 hours from the Iron City. My parents lived in West Newton for a while, and after my Mom died, my Dad and his wife lived there, then somewhere else, then Irwin. I know the drive well, as well as some nice places to shop along the way! Rich and I took several days getting there one time because we mapped out a shopping route! Minivan was nearly full when we got there, and we had to pack 4-18" cube boxes to send back UPS, because, you guessed it, we shopped our way back as well!

It'd be nice to meet you, but it is a bit of a drive for a holiday party in January!!

Chuck

 

[xraytech]

I agree Chuck, not the best time to venture on a road trip north. Hopefully if you have a summer party I can come then