Wow. At times, I thought January would never come. Now that it has, I want to go back and do it all over again! 
Sorry I disappeared, but I didn't feel mentally able to concentrate on posting (I tried a few times, but kept getting distracted).
First, our 25th anniversary party was so wonderful. I think that I hit my own personal pinnacle-- the decor, menu, even music was perfect. Of course, I obsessed about the night for weeks so I better have done it right.
Did I ever post the menu? I can't remember. But since this is a forum of food-lovers, I will (again?), and then hit the highlights:
Cocktails
Sparkling Citrus Punch
Ruby Sippers
Lucy's Sidecar
Appetizers
Assorted Crackers with:
Dutch Gouda with Walnuts,
Cranberry Chevre,
Pesto-Dried Tomato Torta, &
Tuscan Cheddar
Spinach Dip with Crudités
Mini Crabcakes
Mushroom Turnovers
First Course
Roasted Pear & Butternut Squash Soup w/ Gorgonzola
Salad & Bread
Mixed Field Greens with Pear-Cranberry Vinaigrette
Ciabatta
Main Course
Lobster Ravioli in Pink Sauce
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter Sauce
Gorgonzola-Walnut Ravioli with Butter
Artichoke Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce
Salad & Bread
Mixed Field Greens with Pear-Cranberry Vinaigrette
Ciabatta
Dessert
Dark Chocolate Cake with Milk Chocolate Mousseline
Champagne
Okay, the Ruby Sippers came from CAH 12/06 and were wonderful. I made the syrup a few days ahead, had the red sugar on a saucer to rim the flutes, and they were gorgeous as well.
The appetizers were purchased. Yes, I did it. I didn't think that they were the best I've ever had, but there were none leftover. A good sign, especially with all of the veggies with spinach dip and the cheeses (which, incidentally, I bought Dutch Gouda with Walnuts at Trader Joes and it was excellent-- the creamy sweetness of the gouda was balanced well with the walnuts, I must buy more...).
I made the soup 2 weeks ahead, took it out of the freezer and into the refrigerator the day before, and it took no effort to heat it and crumble gorgonzola for on top.
The ciabatta was a King Arthur Flour recipe and is one of the best breads I have ever made. DH raved about it so much, Mom asked me to make it for Christmas Day dinner (Italian) and I made the garlic bread variation. Incredible!
The (purchased) ravioli were better than I could have hoped for. I envision old Italian women, in those apron/pinafore things my Italian grandmother used to wear when she cooked, lined up in a huge kitchen making these ravioli. I can't really name a favorite, but the lobster ravioli with pink sauce (olive oil, garlic, cream, tomatoes, parmesan) is slightly ahead of the others.
And it wasn't too difficult to cook all four pastas just before dinner. You all were right-- some things just shouldn't be made ahead. I had made the browned butter the day before and did what someone on this board suggested (I can't remember who, but thank you!) and just left the bowl of it beside the stove as everything cooked. It softened and I added it to the reduced stock and sage leaves-- so easy for the butternut squash raviloi!
And the cake. Oh my heaven, that wonderful cake! Yes, it contained 6 sticks of butter but it was worth every fat gram. That, also, was a CAH recipe (12/06).
I tried to post pictures, but the photo location I copied from Shutterfly didn't work with the IMG command, so here is the link for the entire album (I'm going to leave it here for only a week or so, so take a quick glance as soon as you can):
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welco...7Ro4cuGL9o
Of course, because of this party I was woefully unprepared for Christmas. I did most of my Christmas shopping on the 15th! But I was able to take advantage of some incredible sales.
For Christmastime dinners, I repeated the lobster ravioli and the butternut squash ravioli (and the Ruby Sippers) for dinner on the 23rd; I stuffed some incredibly huge shrimp (avg. 5 ounces each!)with crab on Christmas Eve; then made a pasta dish and that wonderful garlic bread (from the KA ciabatta recipe)on Christmas Day.
New Year's Eve, I stuffed the same kind of shrimp (they're only available over the holidays, so this year I took advantage), but not with the crabmeat stuffing I used on Christmas Eve because DH doesn't like crab. I subbed poached tilapia and it was surprisingly delicious.
New Year's Day, the traditional meal of black eyed peas, collards, and turkey kielbasa with cornbread.
Today-- baked fish, plain baked sweet potatoes, and steamed broccoli for dinner. We're gonna do a little penance here!
Now, I'm caught up with explaining my absence.
I have missed interacting with you all, and am glad to have the time now to be back in the fold!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!!

Sorry I disappeared, but I didn't feel mentally able to concentrate on posting (I tried a few times, but kept getting distracted).
First, our 25th anniversary party was so wonderful. I think that I hit my own personal pinnacle-- the decor, menu, even music was perfect. Of course, I obsessed about the night for weeks so I better have done it right.

Did I ever post the menu? I can't remember. But since this is a forum of food-lovers, I will (again?), and then hit the highlights:
Cocktails
Sparkling Citrus Punch
Ruby Sippers
Lucy's Sidecar
Appetizers
Assorted Crackers with:
Dutch Gouda with Walnuts,
Cranberry Chevre,
Pesto-Dried Tomato Torta, &
Tuscan Cheddar
Spinach Dip with Crudités
Mini Crabcakes
Mushroom Turnovers
First Course
Roasted Pear & Butternut Squash Soup w/ Gorgonzola
Salad & Bread
Mixed Field Greens with Pear-Cranberry Vinaigrette
Ciabatta
Main Course
Lobster Ravioli in Pink Sauce
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter Sauce
Gorgonzola-Walnut Ravioli with Butter
Artichoke Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce
Salad & Bread
Mixed Field Greens with Pear-Cranberry Vinaigrette
Ciabatta
Dessert
Dark Chocolate Cake with Milk Chocolate Mousseline
Champagne
Okay, the Ruby Sippers came from CAH 12/06 and were wonderful. I made the syrup a few days ahead, had the red sugar on a saucer to rim the flutes, and they were gorgeous as well.
The appetizers were purchased. Yes, I did it. I didn't think that they were the best I've ever had, but there were none leftover. A good sign, especially with all of the veggies with spinach dip and the cheeses (which, incidentally, I bought Dutch Gouda with Walnuts at Trader Joes and it was excellent-- the creamy sweetness of the gouda was balanced well with the walnuts, I must buy more...).
I made the soup 2 weeks ahead, took it out of the freezer and into the refrigerator the day before, and it took no effort to heat it and crumble gorgonzola for on top.
The ciabatta was a King Arthur Flour recipe and is one of the best breads I have ever made. DH raved about it so much, Mom asked me to make it for Christmas Day dinner (Italian) and I made the garlic bread variation. Incredible!
The (purchased) ravioli were better than I could have hoped for. I envision old Italian women, in those apron/pinafore things my Italian grandmother used to wear when she cooked, lined up in a huge kitchen making these ravioli. I can't really name a favorite, but the lobster ravioli with pink sauce (olive oil, garlic, cream, tomatoes, parmesan) is slightly ahead of the others.
And it wasn't too difficult to cook all four pastas just before dinner. You all were right-- some things just shouldn't be made ahead. I had made the browned butter the day before and did what someone on this board suggested (I can't remember who, but thank you!) and just left the bowl of it beside the stove as everything cooked. It softened and I added it to the reduced stock and sage leaves-- so easy for the butternut squash raviloi!
And the cake. Oh my heaven, that wonderful cake! Yes, it contained 6 sticks of butter but it was worth every fat gram. That, also, was a CAH recipe (12/06).
I tried to post pictures, but the photo location I copied from Shutterfly didn't work with the IMG command, so here is the link for the entire album (I'm going to leave it here for only a week or so, so take a quick glance as soon as you can):
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welco...7Ro4cuGL9o
Of course, because of this party I was woefully unprepared for Christmas. I did most of my Christmas shopping on the 15th! But I was able to take advantage of some incredible sales.
For Christmastime dinners, I repeated the lobster ravioli and the butternut squash ravioli (and the Ruby Sippers) for dinner on the 23rd; I stuffed some incredibly huge shrimp (avg. 5 ounces each!)with crab on Christmas Eve; then made a pasta dish and that wonderful garlic bread (from the KA ciabatta recipe)on Christmas Day.
New Year's Eve, I stuffed the same kind of shrimp (they're only available over the holidays, so this year I took advantage), but not with the crabmeat stuffing I used on Christmas Eve because DH doesn't like crab. I subbed poached tilapia and it was surprisingly delicious.
New Year's Day, the traditional meal of black eyed peas, collards, and turkey kielbasa with cornbread.
Today-- baked fish, plain baked sweet potatoes, and steamed broccoli for dinner. We're gonna do a little penance here!
Now, I'm caught up with explaining my absence.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!!