What Do These Men Have in Common?

What do these men have in common?
Tim Premselaar, Tom Hedges, Dave Syferd, Moe Krabbe

Last night Ken and I went to our friends' home on the East side of Lake Sammamish to enjoy a warm and old-fashioned Christmas party.  Part of the evening included actually lighting candles on the tall stately Noble fir and what a magical sight it was.  We are so used to the electric Christmas lights that I didn't realize how soft and ethereal the quality of candle light would be on the tree.  It was truly breathtaking!

Passing off the Ken responsibility to
Nancy Strom and Carol Anderson

Our host and hostess have combined two homes and built a gallery in between which is the perfect area for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and singing Christmas carols after dinner.  But first we were entertained with a delicious dinner prepared by Tom Douglas Catering & Events.  The menu was incredible and I have shared it below at the end of this blog post.

Michele & Dan Heidt

There were around 34 people which our hostess had separated into four different tables spread throughout the house for a sit-down, served dinner.  We were not seated with our spouses which meant that everyone had to converse with their dinner partners, which was great fun!  Ken was seated between Carol Anderson and Nancy Strom and I warned them that they would have to take on the challenge of managing him during dinner which they kindly accepted.

It was fun to see Jerry & Joan Johnston, whom we hadn't seen in a while as well as fun to see others that we had seen recently including Joyce & Doug McCallum, Carol & Spike Anderson, Leena & Mel Sturman, Toni & Rod Hoffman, Suzy & Moe Krabbe, Nancy & Van Strom, Arlene Wright, Sandi & Tim Premselaar, Diane & Gordon Kuenster, and others.

Salade Lyonnaise with "Bacon & Egg"

When I found my table in the main gallery area, I was seated with Moe Krabbe, Jan Rogers, Tom Hedges, Michele Heidt, Dave Syferd, Penny Thackery and Tim Premselaar.  Our table really seemed to click and we found ourselves laughing all evening until the other tables got jealous of how much fun we were having.  They began pretending to laugh louder than we were, but we all thought their laughter sounded quite hollow and false.  One of the things we noticed about our table was our similarities.  We noted that all four men had white mustaches and that all four women did not.  A good thing to be sure!

Michele Heidt, Dave Syferd, Penny Thackery

Dean Jones & Susan Taylor

I can't remember why we began discussing Chinese horoscopes, but Tim entertained us all by googling information about each of our birth years, characteristics and our specific animal.  Represented at our table were the years of the Snake, Dragon, Ox, Rat, Horse, Rooster and Dog (I think).  Perhaps the Quilceda Creek red wine contributed to the fun at our table?

After dinner, Dave and Moe visited the dessert station and brought back a selection of desserts for our table which one of the other guests at another table rudely snatched away.  We all saw the culprit and know that it was Trudi Syferd.

Once everyone was sated with dinner and dessert, we all adjourned into the gallery to light the candles on the tree, which Gordon Kuenster ably did, and to sing Christmas carols together led by Nancy Strom.  Everyone was having such a wonderful time that even the Party Curmudgeon was enjoying himself.

Tray Passed Appetizers:
Roasted Radish, Tarragon Butter

Ken Hatch and Doug McCallum

Korean Beef Tartare, Crispy Taro
Kabocha Soup, Coriander Creme Fraiche

Dahlia Bakery Oat Cracker, Blue Cheese, Grilled Grape

First Course:
Martha's Handmade Agnolotti, Ricotta,
Kale, Beurre Noisette

Jerry & Joan Johnston and Tom Hedges

Second Course:
Salade Lyonnaie, Frisee,
Cider Braised Pork Belly, Poached Egg

Entree:
Apple Wood Grilled Tenderloin,
Lentil Sweet Potato Hash, Spinach, Roasted Cauliflower
Pan Jus

Dessert Station:
Lemon Meringue Tart, Candied Cranberry
Tripe Coconut Cream Pie Bites, White Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Tart, Caramel, Sea Salt