In the winter months I enjoy hosting "Dinner and A Movie" nights, started when the economy went south and most folks felt the terrible pinch. No longer would my group be going to the movies and then out to eat somewhere a couple times a week or other similar fun things. Instead, I accumulated some suitable movies and make a simple dinner here for a couple ladies. And I love it!!!
Tonight Martie came over after months of not seeing each other. We had dinner and a chat instead of dinner and a movie! At first our plans were to go to La Napolera for margaritas to commiserate over the election results, but I thought we could talk so much better here. She agreed, and I made us a lovely dinner. At least, I thought it was!
I made a modified version of chicken parmesan without the parmesan (did have chicken though!) using only ingredients on hand. No run to the store was needed. I used my favorite pasta sauce with sweet onion and garlic flavoring over a bed of angel hair. I had gotten a package of chicken patties free with the purchase of some pizzas when I shopped like a rock star at Winn Dixie several months ago. I used the remainder of the patties on top of the pasta and covered the entire surface with a bag of shredded cheeses. The oven heated it through and through before Martie arrived. Even though she works only a short distance a way, it often takes her a while to get here so the meal was waiting for her when she arrived.
Instead of having margaritas at La Nap, I washed the glasses Linda gave me and poured frozen drinks from a pouch into the glasses. Mine was a pina colada and hers was a strawberry daiquiri. These were also on hand, in the depths of the freezer for several months. A complete mixed drink like a juice pouch! Justin and I bought them at Wal-Mart during the summer and tonight was a good night to bust 'em out!
Justin dished up the plates and I said, "Oh, my!" when he gave me my portion. He said, "I will get you a to-go box for your yours" but somehow I managed to finish it off. It must have been good! For dessert we had a bowl of sherbet, to wash away that lingering garlic taste.
And we talked and talked and talked, all the while the news was on in the background. She had been a moratorium from the news since the elections so in the comfort of my home, she eased back in. Besides national news we covered news from the home front. In the past year she has become a great grandmother twice---her twin grandkids each became parents. Oh my! Her brother who relocated from Atlanta is finally reestablished with his VA pension so that is off her mind. Her son with Kennedy's Disease is getting the help he needs via the VA as well, having moved closer to home this past summer. No wonder she is busy, but as she said, she needed this time tonight! Me, too!
Tomorrow morning a group of us will be gathering at church to work on the archives again, after several months away from our project. I hope the turnout is good and some progress is made. Somehow I doubt we will get wrapped up and then with the holidays upon us, well, it might be next year before we close the books on the archives! Wish us well!
