Happy hour sometimes morphs into dinner time. This is a rare occurrence in our home because we are usually scheduled to the gills. But it happened last night and it is always a pleasant treat.

Spent a little time with Val this afternoon teaching the basics of pasta making. I had mentioned this to our pals Denise and Rick earlier in the day and in the midst of waiting for the pasta to rest, Denise called and I invited them over. As Val and I were finishing with our class, Denise and Rick arrived with a bottle of Pinot Noir and happy hour began in earnest.

After a few bottles of wine between the four of us, Eric finally gets off work and joins the party in the kitchen, where I am preparing a drinky snack – peanut butter & bacon sandwiches (with the crusts cut off, of course). And as yummy as this was, we needed something of substance. Eric came to the rescue, whipping up a yummy, yet simple dinner of grilled rib eyes (look at those grill marks!) and some of the leftover pappardelle from Wednesday night’s soiree. I pull out my favorite heavy white TAG plates and 4 cool wooden placemats, set with our hammered flatware and burnished gold napkins. The makeshift dessert is four spoonfuls of lemon curd each topped with a plump raspberry, eaten standing in the middle of the kitchen. Everyone walks home a bit later, warm headed, with a tummy full of deliciousness and memories of a fun, last minute, dinner party.

Later that night, as the rain is pounding our roof, Eric and I sit outside on the porch to enjoy Mother Nature’s spectacle and muse about our evening.

Every night is an opportunity to create a special dining experience for you and your loved ones. Even if it is dinner for one, take out your most special pieces and drink out of your best glasses. You are your own best friend. Pamper yourself.

xoxo, Patti