Neighborhood Dinner

Recap: It was small and went really well. Of the 27 houses invited:

4 houses came, three of which we already knew. The other house had renters and both roommates worked at OHSU. So out of the 12 people that were there, 2 were under three years old and 5 worked at OHSU. Crazy.

Three houses stopped by but couldn't make it:
1. was a couple nights before, they left a bottle of wine on our doorstep with a nice note and their phone number
2. About an hour before people came, a woman brought a bottle of wine and thanked us but they couldn't make it because they were opening their own business and had to prepare for this weekend.
3. The guy who used to own our house who now lives across the street. He brought a giant plate of home-smoked salmon (which was amazing) and explained how he had to write college recommendations for lots of kids (he's a HS math teacher).

In terms of prep getting ready, I was a nervous wreck since there could be anywhere from 6-50+ people there. Decided advance prep was the way to go since I knew I couldn't get home before 5:30 and the party started at 6:30. That said, alcohol and drinks are the most important. Strangers meeting=alcohol drinking. I got lots of red and white wine and put it out on the buffet. Since there could be 30 people attending, we used the little clear plastic cups they use for punch at receptions. Put that next to the wine on the buffet with a bottle opener. Also, lots of beer. Thank you Widmer Oktoberfest sale. Per a Rachel Kinnunen move, we used ribbon and tied the bottle opener to the fridge door for ease. Oh, and we made mulled cider (giant jug of apple juice simmered with cinnamon, cloves, alspice, nutmeg & black cardamom). Figured if people didn't want to drink alcohol and it was a cold rainy night (which it was), this would go fast.

As for food, I made and froze a tortilla lasagne ahead of time. Started heating it when we got home. For hors d'oeuvres, we had brie and crackers as well as that homemade peach salsa we made with Chuck & Dana served with chips. When Harley brought over the smoked salmon, we put that out too. People then brought: hummus & bread, french bread with melted brie and sliced pears (very good), lasagne, two kinds of salads, pork tenderloin with a spicy mustard, and more wine.

Most drank beer. The others drank red wine -- the white wasn't touched. When the first couple got there (we knew them already, at least on a first name basis), we asked how they were doing and the guy replied "nervous". My sentiments exactly and I told him that. I think we both took some comfort in that everyone was a bit nervous at first.

We ate everything buffet style and then pulled out the lasagne and tortilla lasagne for dinner and at that with the salads. People just picked at everything throughout the night (kind of like thanksgiving). Got to talk about a whole bunch of things related to the neighborhood and otherwise. Also got to traumatize Hughes -- apparently 2 1/2 year olds are roughly his size and have a high pitched excitement that just doesn't sit well with him. He hid under the couch, under the bed, etc. Well, until he figured out that she loved him and just wanted to pet him. At that point, he surrendered to the gentle petting.

People left around 9:30ish. Plenty of time to clean up and unwind before going to work the next day -- and we didn't waste a weekend night in the process.

In short, I'd do it again in a minute.