A jar of sun dried tomatoes, some fuzzy mustaches courtesy of a very fun package from my sister, and of course a love for ethnic foods... these things served as an inspiration for a evening of friends, fun, and food. For my birthday, Becky (1) and I decided to treat some of our station friends to dinner at Stefano's Italian Ristorante.
Our dining area was trimmed with white cafe lights, Italian flags, and Renaissance Italian art such as the Last Supper and Mona Lisa. The table was garnished with jars of pasta, herbs, and olive oil. Music that played softly in the background included both classical and loosely Italian music, everything from Figaro and Pavarotti to That's Amore and Mambo Italiano.
Becky 2 arrived a bit early to help with last minute preparations. The electricity was off for about an hour and threatened to make things a bit more interesting, but luckily it came back on about 5:45 PM. The other guests began to arrive about 6:30 PM: Erin, Alan (one of our volunteers), Jeff and Susan, and Andy and Judy who took the place of the Myers' kids. Everyone was provided with a birthday hat and/or fuzzy Italian mustache. Even Mona Lisa grew a mustache for the occasion!
The nine of us gathered around the table and Jeff gave the blessing. First course consisted of bruschetta appetizer; cabbage salad topped with Italian dressing, cherry tomatoes, olives; and the Myers contributed fresh baked loaves of Italian bread. Main courses were lasagna and pasta with chicken, sun dried tomato pesto, and feta cheese.
For dessert, Becky 1 made a beautiful red velvet cake (red food coloring had just arrived in a birthday package from my cousins Naseem and Jami). The cake was topped with creamy vanilla gelato. And all of this was served up with lots of laughs! Wow, what a meal.
Following coffee and tea, we all rolled into the living area for a game of Italian trivia. Two teams competed by answering various questions (Did you know that Venetian gondolas only come in one color... black?) and molding Italian items out of play dough (Leaning Tower of Pisa and olive). Susan had such a talent for rolling the extra point, we are considering sending her to Las Vegas with all of our deputation money! Just kidding, Louie. 
So I am declaring the Italian dinner party a success. It was an incredibly fun evening and probably one of the best birthdays imaginable (despite being so far from family and friends back home). I am so blessed by my Kudjip friends, no... Kudjip FAMILY for making my day so special. Thank you for loving me!
Stephanie, I'm so glad you had a wonderful birthday party, even though it sounds like you worked pretty hard to put it on. I guess it's not skydiving, but maybe you'll still get a chance at that :o)! Where did that awesome birthday hat you wore come from? We miss you in Texas.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't really explain about how the team on the north side of the living room destroyed the south team. Is there an Italian trivia world finals?
ReplyDeleteSteph, is the clock on your computer set? Is it in the right time zone? My note just now is marked 5:34 PM. It's actually 7:34 AM. I'm pretty sure I'm in the same time zone (I live 200M up the road from her), so it should be the same.
ReplyDeletenow that's one italian dinner i'm sorry i missed! :) were you able to use a lot of your tomatoes? :) can't believe the electric went out for a bit. :o now i wonder how you'll beat this with next year's bday. ;) btw... did i mention i love your facial expression in the group pic with the mustaches. hehe priceless! (the pope pic is my 2nd fav.) love you
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are really sufferin' for Jesus over there on the mission field! ;-) Nothing like that unpredictable electricity to remind you that you really are on the mission field! Sounds like a great Italian dinner with wonderful friends who know how to have a good time. Was anyone able to shape the Vatican from playdough? Italian trivia: eyeglasses are one of the many handy inventions given to us by Italians! All the better to read your story with...
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