Thought you might like this:
Rogue is an alehouse in Northbeach, the Italian section of San Francisco. I took BART over yesterday and met Brooke and some pals for the SF Oyster and Beer festival. Celtic music in the park, what could be better? Well, the problem was that EVERYONE thought that. I managed to grope my way to a beer, never got an oyster, found my breathless friends at the entrance, and we escaped, leaving the masses to sit in the cold sun. We found, instead, a table at Rogue and sat and drank and watched all the Boston-Irish transplants drink a LOT at the bar.
Then I caught a ride back to the East Bay with a friend who was going to the same impromptu dinner party that I was, and we had one of those charmed evenings where everyone is funny and sweet and the food tastes great. I have to hand it to my friend Jenn for throwing together a dinner party like that. I’ve said for the last seven years I might have a dinner party someday, and now that I have the room, I’m too nervous to do it. Oh, I hate throwing parties. Love going to them. Hate hosting them. Jenn, however, decided yesterday that it was a good day to have friends over. She bought chicken and steak and made some sides, called some folks, and people came over. How hard is that?
I still don’t want to do it. Maybe when I have mine I’ll have it catered (like I can afford THAT).
I’m rambly today, ain’t I? I just feel so much BETTER (but I’m not overdoing it, I swear. I’m being very careful) and it feels so wonderful to have almost my old reserve of energy back again. It’s overcast and chilly today, but I think I’ll hie me off to the monthly Antiques Fair in Alameda, a huge high-priced garage sale. I need some wrought iron chairs for the backyard, and I just feel like looking at trinkets. I’ve got the need to window shop. You know? And tonight I’ve got the girls coming over for The L Word and I’ll work on the new Vogue tank with which I’m in LOVE. You know the one?
I’m doing it in some plain ole Lion Brand Microspun, and it’s working up nicely, I have to admit. I have the back done, and I just started the front.
Off to weekend!
Good Lord, girl. What kind of Cancer are you? Get out the New Basics, invite three of your favorite friends, and have the time of your life. (I’m a big believer that food lovers make great cooks.)There’s nothing like being Queen of your Castle.
Microspun! Realized I can’t start Devan until I get the CC Regia, but I *could* drive a half-hour and get some Microspun…hmmm.
LOVE the Rogue sign! Fabulous….
Now about the dinner party thang…might I just say (with some authority) that you are an amazing hostess in every way, and if FOOD is the only thing that stumps you, have a potluck the first time and just buy champagne and make a dessert nacho…the people who love you will come to see YOU and prolly bring wonderful edible creations….
YOU.CAN.DO.IT.
Ditto on Greta’s comment about the potluck! I wish I could cook, but can’t to save my life… things catch on fire, turn hard & unpleasant, etc. etc. etc… but potlucks, i can do. Cook one simple thing (I adore casseroles– there is a really good new casserole cookbook that fancies it up a little), and let your friends do the rest. 🙂 Add a little or a lot of wine, and it is sooo nice. Much more relaxing than the regular dinner party. BTW, we are on the same mental page w/ the tank… I am so in love with it. Good idea w/ the microspun– I was wondering what an affordable/ grad-student-budget yarn would be for it. This is project #2 you have inspired me to do, after the retro prep! 🙂
BTW you do know (at least from the blog universe) a caterer-florist-knitter who lives not too far from you! Let me know if ya need help with that party! 🙂
Do you have a nearby supermarket with a deli? If so, buy a rotissiere chicken, pick up a couple of salads, visit a bakery for some dessert and you’ve got your dinner party put together — except for inviting the guests. It can be really simple.
The new tank color is lovely. I bought some Microspun a few years ago to knit something up for Gracie. It sits partially finished…somewhere…Do you find it to be splitty? I think that is what drove me a bit nuts.
And go for the dinner party. I love the potluck idea. Or just invite the friends over and order out. 🙂
When Cari and I are there, we’d be able to help with the preparations. Just sayin’.
I have to get that Vogue. I can’t believe I haven’t gotten it yet.
Love the tank. Love the color. Can’t wait to see the finished project. I’ve been eyeing it too.
I haven’t read blogs in forever. So I wanted to say that the Noro sweater is fab, I love it and you are looking mighty cute. I love the xmas lights, I used to have something similar when i lived alone. The rogue sign is great. Like I need another hint that I want to make rogue. I’m glad you are feeling better. thank you for the nice comment about the vest.
There’s a monthly antiques fair in Alameda?!? Why didn’t I know about this?
You could SO do a dinner party. Everyone would be so busy exclaiming over your cute little home thyat they wou’dn’t even notice what they’re eating.