Christmas ’08 – Karnes (dt)
Menu | |
Appetizers | |
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Salad | |
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Main Course | |
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Dessert | |
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Drinks | |
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A delectable menu, even as good as
the one above, barely does justice to the anticipation and good feeling that
Dinner Group of Ten (with Mike and Sheila Romalin) shared at the Karnes’ home,
the sixth consecutive year Chay and Deb have so warm-heartedly welcomed us.
Nearly a foot of snow had fallen the 30
hours before our gathering, guaranteeing the classic winter/Christmas setting
that recent winters have not delivered. Bushes and fences strung with lights
guided us into the house, with the nine foot Christmas tree, with its “old
styled” bulbs, lighting the foyer. Christmas-themed decorations abounded and
attested to the enjoyment of the season while a rolling-loop DVD of Christmas
scenes and music added background spirit.
Krypton greeted us with a tail’s wag as we pushed presents under the tree. So,
we caught up on the usual stories for the rest of the evening – where our kids
are or are going to be, the Adams grandchildren and Judy’s schedule, Mike and
Sheila’s grandchildren, the anticipation of snow, possible retirements (Mike
says this year is it, Sheila says any time, Kriss says not yet, Don hasn’t
made up his mind), Deb K’s mother and other, Sheila’s shoulder, trying to
work Christmas preparations around the other facets of our lives, the economy
and downturn that we have seen secondhand mostly, the economy and its effect for
the next couple of years (Tim will retire, some day!), Christmas shopping,
Mike’s pricing of cars, clearing snow, how much we love winter (or not),
family happenings, and so on.
Each round of food not only bore testimony to our pleasure in interests
culinary but also reminded us of the caring and experience we all bring to the
table and group. The tender roast, mostly done medium-well, was sliced into inch
slabs that most could not finish, complimented by the potato preparations and
vegetable bowl.
Deb read her birthday cards, an array of
risqué and morally upright cards, while most of us reassured her that being 50,
or older, was not something to fear. (It was less than five months previous that
the grand 49½ party roared through Pine Meadow Lane.)
Off we retreated to the Christmas exchange (more aptly characterized as
opening-and-theft). One after another accepted the selection, with a solitary
perfunctory theft by Chay, a surprisingly honest departure from recent years.
Even only-child-it’s-about-me Judy settled in after an early pick. Between the
blabbermouths, the need to explain, self-revealing commentary, most of us knew
who had brought which gifts before the selection. This prompted proposed rules
for next year, and I think someone appointed Mike chair of that committee.
In between all of this were a tumble of innuendos, and ....
Finally we retraced our tracks to dessert and coffee and tea, awaiting the
desserts Deb had concocted this year. Again, Deb prepared desserts that will
stay in memory for years. Personally, the chocolate was the highlight of the
meal, with a Ganache so dense and hard (too long outside) that I had to hold
the cake holder so Deb could cut it. A second piece almost finished me off! Deb
T found some real nutmeg at a Shaker fair and presented each couple a small bag,
generating some less-than-culinary comments! (Kriss, where were you?!)
Other notes: Again, the Karnes presented table favors, this time of Santa
figurines and a candle and candle holder. We
did without the poppers and without the hats that Tim usually manages to tear
before encasing his head. The appetizers were less plentiful this year and
although we certainly enjoyed them, the lesser amount allowed us to enjoy the
entrée more fully.
Finally, eleven-ish, we moved to the darkness and home, with the Teators
climbing down the hill that Don could not drive up. Another year’s highlight
has come and gone, and all of us attest to the generosity and fine hosting of
Tom and Deb. The highest compliments and a special thank you go to you both. The
evening, in so many ways, symbolizes the camaraderie and friendship we share.