Planning the Menu

                     

Photo: French Menu dated 1898, vintage wine Grand Ordinaire 1891.

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French Husband's woke me up in the middle of the night and asked, "Where are all the guests going to sit Saturday night?"

"There not." I yawned and rolled over... and then my head started spinning with details. I sat up stressing about food preparations, floor plan, folding napkins... music...what should I wear? Do I have 50 dessert plates?

I kicked French Husband..."Thanks, now I cannot go back to sleep!"

55 Zucchini at least...

3 Kilos Walnuts (Thank you Aunt Louie!)

45 Tomatoes,

5 Kilo Smoked Salmon,

Buy Blinis.

Cream fraiche a truck load.

15 Baguettes.

6 Kilos Shrimp (lemons... parsley...)

Assortment of Cheese.

150 Large Cannoli,

Green beans with sesame (How many green beans?)

20 Artichokes cut in fourths.

10 Garlic heads,

20 Shallots,

50 Dried Tomatoes,

6 Kilo Quinoa,

2 Kilos Sliced Almonds,

Strawberry Cakes, whipped cream... or should I have one Chocolate? Pavlova?

10 Bottles of Champagne, 20 bottles of red wine,

Bar stuff...umbrellas, cherries... no no no ...stay with wine and champagne forget hard liquor. Perrier and juice wine and champagne. Yes that is good.

Three type of glasses. 150 glasses?? Should I use plastic, not I cannot use plastic, yes you can use plastic, no I have never used plastic, well this is a good time to start...

50 Dinner Plates (do I have 50 dessert plates? Paper! Oh God gross, now you are really out of control. Stop it. Paper is practical. I am not practical. Maybe you should be. I don't want to be. Imagine the dishes baby?)

Napkins...paper...what color, what theme?

Music ... call Philippe (our friend the salsa dancer.)

Candles!

Where are the guest going to sit??? I kicked you know who again.

Comments

[MARY]

wonderful !

[Bill ~ Loving Her Beautiful]

Hi, Corey,
So sorry for all the stress you're going through, but we sure love to read it. Your writing is a blast. Looking forward to hearing how it went -- after you've recovered.
Blessings!
BILL

[Donna O.]

The last 5 or 6 posts were nothing short of amazing. Tonight I will dream of a sleeping lion who awakens on occasion to drink mint tea and coffee, dances on colored tiles with a lioness waiting for a birthday kiss!!
D.

[tommie]

I would come to this party, and NOT comment if you had to use plastic! If we ever get stationed in Europe, I am calling you!

[Nora]

Is it really your birthday? If so, happy, happy birthday, gorgeous girl! Tonight, I'll raise a glass for you... x

[Bonnie Buckingham]

Just celebrated my husband's 52nd...a full deck!

Your email made me think of the beginning of The Fellowship of the Rings:

" Bilbo Baggins called it a PARTY, but it was really a variety of entertainments rolled into one. Practically everyone living near was invited. A very few were overlooked by accident, but as they turned up all the same, it didn't matter....He gave away presents to all and sundry...Hobbits gave presents to other people on their own birthdays. Not very expensive ones , as a rule."

HAPPY 50th...and may you be blessed like this:

" At ninety he ( Bilbo) was much the same as fifty!"

Bonnie
across the ocean
in the South

[Karen C]

Here in Aus we have an entertaining custom called "bring-a-plate" which means to bring a plate of food that can be shared by all the guests. Most newcomers to our country are quite baffled by it when they are first invited and more than one has made the mistake that it means to bring a plate to eat off.

Perhaps in your case you could use it to your advantage and ask everyone to bring an (empty) plate to solve your dilemma.

(Not sure how our custom started. I suspect it has something to do with most early settlers and migrants not having an awful lot of possessions when they first arrived and later the depression with food rationing - but however it happened it is now almost an insult NOT to let a guest contribute something to the table)

Joyeux Anniversaire, Corey

[Jeni]

I know you will throw a beautiful birthday bash! Eat your fill, dance your toes off and toast your day. Remember 50's the new 40.
HAPPY SWEET BIRTHDAY COREY!

[Dee]

Happy Birthday to our dear Corey! May you be blessed with many more!

BUT...cooking your own birthday dinner? I usually fix dinners for all my kids and grandkid's birthdays...BUT don't for my own! One of my daughters, Cheryl...usually fixes my b'day dinner...as she did a couple of weeks ago.

[Lei]

What an undertaking! It's always rewarding once the party is going but pretty crazy getting there. Good luck!

[Cousin Linda]

Lord have mercy -- I can see it all now. Piles of food, stacks of dishes, loads of people, FH with that "deer in the headlights look," and Corey rising above the fray. People don't realize that paper plates are not the "done thing" in France and certainly not at Chez Corey. Happy Birthday my dear cousin.

[Gina]

How funny is that, one of those mid night crisis thinking sessions - he never should have asked you! But knowing you, you will figure it al out and it will be a smashing event!!

[stephanie]

I am sure it will be an evening to remember!! I will raise a glass from a far!

[Ellen Cassilly]

Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to spend two days shopping and cooking with you and then playing kitchen helper at your party. My advise definitely hire two kitchen helpers if you at all want to enjoy your own party. All stand up finger food is always a good option for getting out of having the correct number of chairs. Have a great celebration.
hugs,
Ellen

[rochambeau]

It always seems to work out. YOU I know will pull it off in Grand Style and without a hitch!!

xox
Constance

Bon Fete!

[marita]

have a great day dear friend!!
i'll be toasting to your health with a glass of champagne from afar.
however... i'll take la salade de saison,
boeuf nature and les crêpes for starters ;))
so keep a plate and some glasses stand by for me!

[Pat]

The party sounds wonderful, Corey. A very happy birthday! It really does get better from here!

I have just read the "one last kiss" post! Lovely, of course!

Enjoy your party!
Pat

[Christine]

Happy Birthday!! You do realize that for your birthday, you should let others do for you??

[the farmers wife]

I say let them stand! It all sounds too wonderful. We're invited, right? Cyber visitors for sure.

When I have guests in numbers that large I rent the dinnerware and glassware. Is that a possibility in your area? Like the others said, hire out the mundane tasks and concentrate on the important stuff.....food.

[anna]

Corey,
Weren't you just complaining a few days ago about cleaning you're kitchen? ;>)

[corine @ hidden in france]

Jeez... now I can't get back to sleep either!

[Shelley Noble]

You can't conceive, plan, arrange, prepare, cook/assemble, host, bartend, enjoy, and take killer photos!!! That's not a birthday... that's 10 jobs! Tooooo much! HIRE OUT!

You do the being feted and the enjoying part, photos too but only at your pleasure. yay.

Sounds like a sensational party, Corey!

[Cynthia G]

HEY...BIRTHDAY GIRL

******GET PROFESSIONAL HELP**********
It's not to late....After all,IT'S
YOUR 50TH and your the
*********Belle of the Bal************
They even rent dishes and chairs...
Your Birthday is going be the talk of...
"The Town"

[Lea]

Saturday night will be perfect... I know this for a fact. Just to see your sweet face, who would even think of wine, champagne, food, macaroons, or anything else???

[Amy]

I'm planning a party for my husband on Sunday, but I think I would just rather come to yours instead...LOL

[Colette]

Let them eat brioche!

You should sit on a throne and sip champagne while the guests pay you tribute.

Love, Colette

[annieelf]

Misery loves company and clearly FH had the dinner party on his mind too. Of course, once he passed off the worry, I bet he went right back to sleep. So, Wazzup Saturday evening?

[Rosemary]

It's going to be a grand party Corey!!
Have a wonderful time, and a big Happy Birthday!!
Can't wait to see pictures!
Don't stress, it is what it is!!
Rosemary

[Candy]

No way you're having to do all that yourself! It's YOUR birthday! I would have had to hurt someone if that had been the case for me. However, we are two different people and you obviously have a gift for entertaining and hospitality. Oh, and I say give it up and use the plastic and paper unless you hire out the dishwashing! And Happy Birthday Eve!

[Mary]

This is an awesome shopping list - hope you will have lots of sous chefs helping you - and friends who help with dirty dishes!!

Corey, reaching fifty is a milestone that starts one on the best part of life - take it from one who has passed into the next decade!!! My wish for you is a wonderful celebration on Saturday and then many, many happy returns each coming year.

Blessings and happiness always,
Hugs - Mary.

[Lynda]

Sounds like a lot of work ... isn't someone else supposed to host your birthday party? I know you'll have a wonderful time. Happy Birthday, dear Corey!! ~ hugs, Lynda xo

[martina]

Too bad you couldn't have had your birthday party at Chucky Cheese-it would have been easier on the birthday girl/hostess :-) Corey-you will probably be really busy tomorrow so here are early birthday wishes to you. Happy birthday to a wonderful, creative and kind lady!

[Elizabeth Meredith]

What a wonderful party you are planning. I want to come! Is it really for your birthday? If yes, then someone else should do all the worrying and work.

[April]

Oh, it all sounds just DIVINE!! I hope...no... I KNOW your birthday will be blessed. You are such a gift to all of us! May your gifts be just as great.

[Travelingmama]

Happy, happy birthday!!

P.S. Who needs to sit when there is wonderful music and plenty of dancing?

[Merisi's]

So you are inviting each and every of the years who have so faithfully carried you all the way? Then you may need a children's table too, you know? :-)

[Carolyn]

Happy Birthday dear Corey. No plastic no paper, please. I laughed at the truckload of Cream fraiche, It will be a fabulous party with you doing the planning.

[Beachy]

Happy Birthday, sweet Corey! I think paper plates should be just fine... besides, the word sounds so much more refined in French (papier)!

[Pam]

Happy Birthday Corey!! I must admit I was laughing at poor FH's black and blue backside, as he haplessly woke the birthday girl and got your mind to reeling. It will be lively and fun, just like you! Enjoy and don't stress!! (I like the idea of byodp)! he he
Pam
p.s. I got my blog up and going yesterday, so come visit anytime.

[Julie Ann]

So is your Birthday this Saturday Corey ? I was hoping you would tell us exactly when. Wish you the most fantastic party and wish I could be there ! Trust you are not doing it all yourself ?? Do tell us more about the party and any other celebrations please, Jx

[Mo'a]

Happy Birthday Corey. Sounds like a delicious party. No, no, no matter how tempted you might feel no paper please...you have a reputation to protect...and you are in France *giggles*
I vote for a Pavlova...my favorite...now what kind of fruit would you use on the Pavlova?...I like Kiwi :)
What to wear? Dancing shoes:)
Can't wait to see photos of you party...have a wonderful time.

[tut-tut]

I can't wait to see your pictures . . . how many of your guests will be familiar with quinoa?

[qualcosa di bello]

i am laughing at your midnight thoughts!! i just bet sweet french husband was able to fall right back to sleep, no?

now that list has me drooooling!

[Shannon]

Corey!!!!!! Have a very fun and wonderful party. It will be nothing but successful.

Where is the American in you? Get the party catered. Why are you doing all the work for your own party?

[Darla]

Happy Birthday. I know the party will be great, after all look who the hostess is.

Darla

[Beverly]

Is it your birthday party?

We've been out of town, and I'm out of the loop here!

The menu sounds SO good!
(And I hope you're not cooking if it's your birthday party!)

Have fun...noone needs to sit, that makes a party boring!

[My Melange]

*And Ic can raltate*......brain not functioning yet this early I guess. Meant to say that I can relate.....

[My Melange]

Corey,

A very Happy Birthday, my dear friend. I wish you such a great party, but please...don't work too hard!!! Don't worry about a thing..it will all work out great! And Ic can raltate to those moments when something gets planted in your mind..and then you can't sleep :)

[Paula]

Don't forget the chocolate. There must be chocolate !

Relax, have fun.

I wish I could be there to help. I'd wash all those dishes for you.

[herhimnbryn]

Is this a Happy Birthday Party? If so, happiness always.
ps.....One willing 'helper' here in Australia. I'm able to cook, set tables etc!