Socialites

I haven't been invited to this many dinner parties, in...well...ever! We had 3 invitations this weekend and while it was a whirlwind weekend and it was lovely at each home to which we went. Friday, after school, we headed over to another fellow's home and had a lovely meal with his family of 3 boys. Tinte and his wife, Titaki are from Kiritimati in the Pacific (Christmas Island). They created a feast of fresh salmon, satay chicken, beef nuggets, salad with kumara & cukes, fruit, rice and wonderful ciabatta bread. We've noticed many people in NZ serve their meals with several meat mains, a nice salad and maybe 1-2 side dishes. It makes quite a nice, light meal. Titaki then served a wonderful, warm apple & blackberry crisp with ice cream and a fab dessert wine. What a beautiful meal we had with such wonderful people. As we left, they presented us with a bottle of the dessert wine (a wine made by monks and blessed by a Catholic priest) and a native, handmade woven rug, as is their custom on the island. We were taken aback by their hospitality and generosity. It was a lovely night.

Saturday, after a morning of soccer & a birthday party for Calvin's schoolmate, we headed, sans kids! :) over to a consultant's home for dinner. Marcus Bisson and his wife Sian made a divine meal of beef stew, roast carrots & broccoli, fresh red cabbage from their garden and roasted potatoes (roasted in goose fat! which were to die for!). Following dinner, we enjoyed homemade lemon sorbet (from their lemon tree), lemon custard (set with blueberries & raspberries in honor our our 4th of July :) and a chocolate brownie (another throwback for the Americans:). They served us as the gracious hosts they are and were wonderful entertainers. We were joined by another consultant, Charles Davis and his wife Jane. Their daughter, Lilly, and MaeMae were in kindy together. We had another lovely evening with good food, great company and of course, fab wine.

Sunday was another wonderful day of feasting. The whole family journeyed over to Wadestown, with beautiful views overlooking the harbour from the city. Chris Adams (the department head) and his wife, Bridget and their 2 boys welcomed us for a wonderful, laid-back lunch. We enjoyed roast chicken (which both C & MK thoroughly enjoyed much to my surprise), tabouleh salad, roasted potatoes (I didn't ask if these were made with goose fat, although they were just as tasty), salad with blue cheese & walnuts and wonderful bread. I brought homemade brownies so we enjoyed those with vanilla ice cream. They were really wonderful to meet and the kids had a blast.

So, now my pants are just a tad bit tighter but it was worth every calorie. We enjoyed our busy weekend of socializing. It's funny because they all apologized for not having us over sooner in the year. Time just goes by so quickly and it's such a great lesson for us to remember. You have to make time for the things you really want to do...not just think that you'll get to it one day. I'm ready to make our list of things we want to accomplish and see in America (and abroad) and just go for it! Life is too short! Life is too short for "oh, I wish I had!".