A loaf of bread and a bottle of wine

Steve's parents came for supper tonight. I cooked Italian and the kids played up the parts .. ok we did too. For our place settings we had name cards with an Italian flavor. Not all of the names were Italian but it was fun to play along with the fake accent. Here is the guest list: Steve's Mom - Sue (Susan) - Susanetta Steve's Dad - Richard - Riccardo Steven - Stefano Me - Angela - Angela Colby - Coletta J. (Jaclyn) - Jaclynetta Gracie (Grace) - Gracicia Menu Salad Course Tossed greens with tomato and cucumber and an italian oil dressing 2 antipasta dishes Bread and butter Iced Water Entree Course Lasagne with beef and tomoato sauce Lasagne with spinach and white sauce Bread with whole garlic cloves baked in it and butter Dessert Chocolate Birthday Cake The Wine List Red wine, Black Swan Shiraz and Merlot - (for the kids sparkling red grape juice) Australia’s exotic black swan: a rare combination of elegance and mystery that embodies the unique character of Australia and the distinctive wines of Black Swan. Awaken your sense of adventure… Winemaker's Notes Our Black Swan Shiraz-Merlot is a unique combination of Aussie favorites. The Shiraz provides dark berry flavours and hint of black pepper, while the Merlot adds sweet, ripe plum flavours and a soft, velvety mouth feel. Enjoy our Shiraz-Merlot with grilled meats and rich pastas. Varietal Content: 75% Shiraz, 25% Merlot Residual Sugar: 0.70 Titratable Acidity: 0.63g/100ml pH: 3.38 Alcohol Level: 13.5% White wine (for the kids sparkling white grape juice), Cavit, Pinot Grigio Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy If you are looking for a wine that is enjoyable now then the Cavit Pinot Grigio is for you; this Italian white wine is light and refreshing with citrus and melon flavors on the finish! Winemaker's Notes Color: Intense red characterized by slight orange-terracotta highlights which develop with prolong aging. Taste: Delicate fruit taste is redolent of berries with cherry notes. Good body with a pleasing finish. Alcohol: 12% I don't know much about wines but I do know a few things. I know what I like. I know a good wine doesn't mean an expensive wine. I prefer Australian wines to any other regional wines, particularly the South Eastern Australian Vineyards. I don't particularly care for red wines however I liked the Black Swan and will buy it again. It is rich and hardy and I think it will be great this winter with a rich beef dish. The table was also dressed with various condiments and dishes Black and green olives Crushed mixed red peppers Grated Parmesian Olive oil for dipping the bread etc For each place setting I used a blue gingham place mat, a red gingham napkin, my stonehouse farm dinnerware, and Steven's silver and gold flatware. A large goblet for red wine, a small goblet for white and an iced tea glass for water. For dessert Steven's mom and dad brought over a birthday cake. Before dessert we had the entertainment hour. The kids read poetry, J. and Sue sang "I wish I were a slippery bar of soap". Steven sang "Whatsa Matta You" and Dad did a partial "Nelly from Guam". It was a fun family hour. Afterwards we had my borthday cake. WOW!! It was a triple layer chocolate with chocolate mouse/brinoshe icing. It was rich and decadent! One slice was too much. To quote Dad, "If anyone left the table hungry it is because they didn't eat!" My birthday is friday and I was surprised with an early birthday because J. will not be here friday. She goes back to her mother's Thursday evening. This morning the kids gave me a lovely little teacup and sauce they had made from clay and painted blue with white filligree, a bracelet they made with charms that each have a meaning - PC, because Steve and I met online, and I love machines, lips for all the kisses they want to give and get, a phone because Steve and I were never more than a phone call away before we moved here, glasses because I wear glasses and hearts inbetween each for each of us. Steven gave me a bottle of white diamonds perfume and body lotion. Here is where it gets tricky ... ok Steve is always teasing me about being Baptist as he is Catholic and we have a lot of jokes and teasing, so I opened 2 gifts and it was KJV Bibles. I thought it was a joke and teasing and I made funb of the company that published them and said ok Mr. Smartass I have a Bible and you know it, I guess these are for you heathens, one for you and one J. .... ooops ... the Bibles were not a joke. He thought I needed a new Bible and he was generous and serious about them as a gift ... the joke was actually 2 movies he got ... "Bibleman" starring Willie Aimes .... live and learn ... I felt so bad for putting down the gift, I thought it was really a joke ... he was hurt because he felt like he screwed up ... leave it to me and my big mouth. My grandmother and I share a birthday. We were both born on August 20th. I will be 38 and she will be 72. This past week she was diagnosed with lung cancer. About 17 years ago she had lung cancer and after surgery was free of the disease all these years. After several months of being very ill and even once told she may not make it thru the week, she is now facing a battle again. God bless her and please don't let her suffer. Recipes Red Sauce Lasagne 1 can hunts garlic and herb spaghetti sauce - 1 can hunts basil and garlic tomato paste Simmer slowly till it begins to thicken. Brown off 2lbs hamburger, drain, saute with 3 cloves garlic and 1 chopped medium onion. 1 large cottage cheese, 1 large ricotta cheese, 12 oz parmesian cheese Mix well. Add more parmesian if the cottage cheese has too much liquid. You want it to look thick almost like plaster. Spray baking pan with cooking oil. Place a little sauce in the bottom of the baking pan. Build the lasagne in this order: Lasagne noodles 1/2 Beef and tomato sauce Sprinkle with mozzerella Lasagne noodles 1/2 Cheese mixture Lasagne noodles Other half Beef and tomato sauce Grated mozerella Sprinkle of parmesian Let sit overnight in refrigerator. Take out and set on counter one hour before baking. Bake at 350 degree oven until bubbly and cheese is nicely toasted. White Lasagne 1 large cottage cheese, 1 large ricotta cheese, 12 oz parmesian cheese Mix well. Add more parmesian if the cottage cheese has too much liquid. You want it to look thick almost like plaster. 1 large bag of baby spinach greens - 1 large zuchini grated Spray baking pan with cooking oil. Place a little sauce in the bottom of the baking pan. Build the lasagne in this order: Lasagne noodles 1/2 of the spinach leaves Sprinkle with mozerella and parmesian Lasagne noodles 1/2 Cheese mixture Lasagne noodles Grated Zuchinni Sprinkle of parmesian cheese Lasagne noodles Other 1/2 of spinach leaves Other 1/2 of cheese mixture Sprinkle with parmesian and mozerella Let sit overnight in refrigerator. Take out and set on counter one hour before baking. Bake at 350 degree oven until bubbly and cheese is nicely toasted.