Friday 19 October 2007

Sleepless nights and hungry guests

I feel shopwrecked and grainy eyed this morning. This was due to a) four hours sleep last night and b) having to brave Asda early this morning. Not an experience I care to repeat.

The lack of sleep was caused by a sudden whir of activity on the article selling front which made my brain spin so I couldn’t sleep. Luckily Himself was busy composing jazz in his head so he wasn’t sleeping either. What a pair…. So we walked Moll early and got to Asda for 8.30am.

The reason for this horrendous shopping expedition is that tomorrow we are having seven people round for a meal; an occasion that takes place about once a year in this house. I am banned from the kitchen 'because you never cook enough, Pop.’

Lucky me. Then I realised that we don't have enough chairs, cutlery or plates, so I'm going to have to borrow the necessary.

Out of the seven people, five are female. Luckily the two men are Julian, who’s gay and enjoys women’s company so he won’t mind a plethora of women, and Himself who isn’t gay but doesn’t mind either. (At least, I haven't heard from Julian who was last heard of in Spain. If he can't make it, Himself will be the Token Man, a position he will no doubt relish.)

At some point tomorrow Himself will groan and say, ‘Why have we spent so much time and money when we don’t like entertaining?’ Then we all have enough to drink, the guests usually stay for ages, and we have another successful evening. We hope.

I can hear crashings and bangings from the kitchen which means the chef has started creating. I shall stay well out of the way, comforted by the sweet scent of basil drifting down the hall.

13 comments:

Daniele said...

ooh.. a dinner party! I love me a nice dinner party. What's on the menu? I know you're banned from the kitchen but are you let in on the planning of the meal and choice of food ??
Hope you have a wonderful evening and weekend.

laurie said...

the party will be fun! especially since you don't have to do the cooking.

so what kept you up all night? new assignments? that's exellent.

the rotten correspondent said...

Remember your Bunco advice to me and relax. They're there to see you and spend time with you both, not to judge your cooking and white glove your armoire.

Have fun!

Flowerpot said...

dee - the menu is Thai curry and rice with steamed veg followed by ice cream and stewed fruit and cheese and biscuits washed down with lots of wine and water for those that dont imbibe or are driving. We always argue over choice of food. I'm not interested particularly but enjoy the people - hence wy he does the cooking!!

Flowerpot said...

laurie - yes brain was in overdrive trying to think of a) an angle for adenomyosis b) feature on inspirational women and c) piece on a community environmental project being piloted here in Falmouth. Brain has now gone into complete slump and won't cooperate at all. Oh for those rajor sharp moments of 4-6am!

Flowerpot said...

correspondent - yes you're quite right. Once they are all here I will relax. though I'm a bit worried about Julian - hope he hasnt been kidnapped on the Santander ferry...

Em said...

Have a fantastic evening!! :D

Elaine Denning said...

God. I can smell the basil wafting down the hall already. Room for another one?

Flowerpot said...

Em - thanks. I hope we will!

MissU - of course m'dear - hop on a train and come on down!

Akelamalu said...

You put your feet up Gal and let himself get on with it! :)

Irene said...

It's wonderful to have your man in the kitchen isn't it, although I do enjoy some time there myself sometimes. I do like a man who knows how to cook and my Eduard knows how to also. It is very handy and he handles any dish well. Dinner parties are always fun, no matter how stressful the preparations at first. After the good food and some nice wine, you realize what a good time you are having. I hope Julian showed up!

Eurodog said...

Hope the wine was good.

debio said...

Ah, dinner paries - so stressful!

Await the outcome with baited breath.