The morning after . . .

This was my kitchen the morning after our latest party . . .

I have friends that could never go to bed and leave their kitchens looking like this . . .

And I have others that clean during the party, so by the time the guests leave, at least half the clutter has already been cleared . . .

I have still other friends that manage to get the guests to help, and the guests are more than delighted to do so . . .

And, yes, indeed . . . I have considered those options . . .

And I haven't discarded any of those ideas completely . . .

But for now, I love the morning after!  Seriously!  I really, really do!  For me, cleaning up is a meditation.  It allows me to re-live the party.  I think about what worked, and what didn't . . .  As I wash, I'm flooded by memories:  I smile at the conversations from the previous night.  I remember other parties, toasts, moments in time that were fun!  The older I get, the more tolerance I seem to have for people's outrageousness.  And then, I always say a quiet little prayer of thanks . . .

How to Manage An Inferiority Complex

What do you serve your friends, all members of the high school Cuban Club, 1973 through 1977?  Hint:  NOT CUBAN FOOD!  They are all either better cooks than you, or their mothers can run circles around you with their perfect black bean soup and pumpkin flan.  And besides, where's the surprise?  No, no, no dear friends, you need to go in an altogether different direction.  Enter:  The Italian Antipasto Tray . . .

Start out with a large platter to hold it all.  I picked this one up at HomeGoods for about $10!

Then, go nuts!  I included cantaloupe, prosciutto, sopressata, black olives cured in olive oil, jumbo green olives stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, provolone cheese, green grapes, roasted red peppers, and Formaggio Ciliegine (fresh mozzarella balls, marinated in olive oil, red pepper flakes, basil and black pepper), all prettily showcased against a backdrop of radicchio . . .

Is your mouth watering yet . . . ?

And this is an old, old photo of the Cuban Club, from the year I was president.  Where's Maria?



A Tablescape With A Tuscan Vibe coming tomorrow . . .

Watermelon Tablescape

Homage to watermelon . . . one of the joys of summer!

“When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what the angels eat.”

                                                     —Mark Twain

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for the fabulous weekly tablescape blog party.  Please stop by and visit.  Be amazed at the talent of these bloggers.