partying all weekend is a good thing

every summer for the last four summers, paul and i have a big party for bounty of the hudson. it’s a good time every year, tasting a whole lot of wines from all around the hudson valley.

the first year, we just sort of stumbled across it. erica was coming to visit and we decide that checking out the wineries would be a fun way to spend the weekend. it just so happened that it was the same weekend as the bounty, and we ended up sampling more wines than we’d thought possible. (note: please drink responsibly and have a designated driver.)

after that, we’ve hosted folks first at our apartment, and now at our house, for the weekend. our little group varies in size from ten to twenty-five people, but each year the mix is a fun and eclectic group. this year was somewhere in the middle, in the high teens in terms of attendance. thanks to all those who came to visit, especially those who traveled long distances (erin and matt, jess and nico, michelle and greg, and of course jeff and david!).

the weather was possibly the best we’ve ever had … in years past, the unbearable heat and/or humidity have put a real damper on the day’s activities. this year, however, the sun was shining and it topped out at a comfortable 85 degrees or so.

the menu was an unqualified success too. we went with an assortment of cold salads and i grilled pesto-marinated chicken on our new charcoal grill. we’re fortunate to have excellent entertaining role models in philip and brian (who sadly, couldn’t attend), and we followed their lead with yummy salads that surprised people with their simple ingredients combined in unconventional ways.  i think the three-bean salad with rosemary, and the cous cous and asparagus salad were the biggest hits. dessert options included brownies (thanks to michelle), ice cream, lemon bars (thanks to kristine and leona), and a wonderful fresh fruit platter.

the evening consisted of talking, laughing, and playing games around the table in the sunroom. i would hate to suggest that anyone overindulged, but there were a few inappropriate statements made from time to time. (jimmy, i love you … you know i love you …!)

over breakfast the next morning, our remaining guests dished the party from beginning to end, comparing and contrasting years past and commenting on new arrivals to the group. (that will teach those of you who left early … the gossip begins the minute you leave!)

paul and i have yet to complete our postmortem — yes, i’m forever the project manager, so we do lessons learned evaluations on our parties — but i think it’ll be an easy discussion. there’s little room for improvement; i think we’ve gotten it down pat.

hope all enjoyed themselves … if you didn’t get an invitation this year and wish you had, let me know.