Harvest Party

In honor of the turning of the leaves (yes, even here in San Diego our leaves turn!) Glenn and I threw a Harvest Party a few weeks ago. I made two soups: Cheddar Corn Chowder and the Ultimate Beef Stew. I call it the "ultimate" beef stew because that is what the actual title was, thank you Tyler Florence for your cute smile and naming everything "ultimate". And it was delicious, so that helps. Mary made a stew that might have been the hit of the evening - Mulligatawny - Indian curry soup with chicken.

I had corn chowder coming out of my ears for the next week and eventually had to throw out a few bowlfuls, burned the blueberry muffins (both times), and Glenn mixed The Perfect Storm all evening - a cocktail a good friend of ours created for a recent Finer Things Club meeting. The best part of the night, however, was getting together with friends and sharing a simple, comforting bowl of soup, a glass of oaky chardonnay, and many laughs. I have missed these moments - long time friends coming together, new connections being made between friends of friends, and laughter echoing throughout our patio and home. This is the reason I cook, the reason I love to entertain, and what I was created for.

** I made this silly flyer and e-mailed it to everyone to save paper and money - made on a Mac. :)**