DP10 Christmas @
Karnes
Another benchmark of culinary skill and consistency was proven at
DP8 Christmas 15 @ Karnes. Yes, the 15 stands for the fifteenth
year Dinner Party of Eight has enjoyed Christmas dinner at the
Karneses’ abode.
Weather was kind once again, seasonable, almost pleasant, in the
mid-30s. Chay was spared clearing the driveway, a chore that has
made a couple of past DP8s an adventure. An entire inch of snow
pack on the lawns was all we had to contend with.
A host of lights started the welcome as we entered Pine Meadow
Lane, accumulating at the driveway approach, and finally filling
around the house. Stringing all of Chay’s extension cords and
strands of lights might reach to Freehold proper. And indoor
decorating bore more testimony to Christmas spirit efforts.
Kallie needed five minutes to greet each visitor with some
Christmas warmth and cheer. We stacked presents under the tree,
dropped our coats in the bedroom, said hello to Kiki who decided
to be more of a part of the Christmas gathering this year, and
then we headed to the evening’s center of the universe—the
kitchen island, to wish all a Merry Christmas, check out the
appetizers, and let the hosts know how much we appreciate their
efforts.
At first glance, it might appear that food is the star of the
evening. The evidence?
Appetizers:
Entrée: pork tenderloins, seasoned with a mixture of salt,
pepper, onion and garlic powder; and a touch of cayenne and brown
sugar
Sides:
Dessert:
Liquids:
Chay kept the liquids flowing: Judy’s prosecco, bottled beer,
and three bottles of Mark’s 2013/2015 McGregor cabernet franc
reserve – interesting for the mini vertical tasting. There must
have been another red someplace and some liquor.
I think I wrote “at first glance” earlier, alluding to food
as a focus of the evening. And food is.
But Party is also there. And the social
aspect garners co-star status, if not a smidgeon more. Groups of
twos and threes and fives and ten gathered around the kitchen
island, catching up, expanding, expounding, adding another layer,
contradicting (quite convivably, of course), tweaking, laughing,
listening, nodding in agreement… whatever is important to each
of us is important to all of us.
In between we wished Deb a Happy umpteenth
Birthday, stayed out of the culinary pathway, and finally allowed
the interruption of the call for salad.
Seating has been surprisingly traditional,
with Chay and Ken occupying the ends, just as we do at
restaurants, with the rest of us occupying the same seat for
fifteen years.
Dinner festivities started with the
poppers, with this year’s version containing a silly paper hat
we donned (for three minutes, or more), confetti, and a riddle or
a booklet. Deb made/prepared a favor per couple—this year’s
version was a Christmas bowl filled with her variety of homemade
Christmas cookies.
Eight of us continued the chatting while,
when necessary, the hosts departed to prepare delivery of the
next course. (Offers to help are gently, but firmly, declined.)
Just as the main course was consumed, and
before we had a chance to wonder how we would fit dessert,
someone announced the wise decision to gather in the living for
our Bad Santa Gift Exchange. Rules for stealing were
re-established.
A devious feint played out this year when
everyone had a smile on their face, thinking they pulled the
number for the most advantageous selecting/stealing position—#1.
When all realized everyone was #1, a cackle of laughter broke out
with faux displeasure at the creator of the mischief—our
Emergency Coordinator Chay Karnes. Bad, very bad, Chay.
A few thefts broke out, with the surprise
pass-around being the reel of electrical cord. Also in the mix of
thievery was the bamboo stick display holder, the Echo, and the
bright light with magnifier. Lots of Christmas spirit with a
sprinkle of near malevolence!
And when enough laughter had passed, we
headed back to the dessert table. Topics included the Adamses’
purchase of a house (really, folks, they have only two), the
departure of the Adamses back south until perhaps next year, the
departure of snowbirds Ken and Kriss for the winter, nearing
retirement of the last “real world” person, travel plans, and
gobs more that will remain unwritten.
Did we say Retirement? Beginning the
evening was the traditional, but surprise, delivery of our “Welcome
to Retirement” gift to Deb K. Surprise because we usually wait
to the real event but the presence of the Adamses probably would
not happen again until after the event. And most of us are
getting old enough that we feared we would forget. Ha. Happy
retirement, Deb, whichever month this summer you pick to start
another of life’s chapters.
The clock passed 11, and once again, we contemplated the
specialness of an event that stands out on our calendars. Thank
you, Deb and Chay, for such generosity and hospitality.
Goodbye 2017! We wish that 2018 be as kindly eventful and, when
it is not, may we have the grace and strength to deal with
whatever is thrown our way.