TIME TO PARTY

I am having a party tonight to celebrate the birthdays of three of my friends. There will be six of us and it was supposed to be an outdoor on the deck, giggle the night away kind of affair. The weather has been perfect for a week or so until yesterday when it was cold and rainy all day. Today did not clear up or warm up as it was supposed to do. Oh well, I vacuumed the dining room and that will be the scene of the revelry. The menu consists of :



This yummy focaccia bread which I started last night with a poolish. I have been baking bread for almost 40 years the traditional way, you know takes about 3 or 4 hours, but this version from Tastespotting promises artisinal results. You know, all the big holes and a well developed, yeasty flavor. We will see. It has to rise for 30 minutes twice, then an hour and then 2 hours with various resting times in between. It is on its last rise and should be ready for the oven by about 5:00. Let's hope that all my guests ( who do not make bread) will be able to discern the artisinal qualities.
Fresh cherries and a blueberry cake for dessert. See, I am too lazy to move the pix into the proper menu order. Thought we could spit the pits off the deck...not going to work in the dining room!!
Grilled veggies which will be combined with herbed farfalle ( bowties), olive oil, garlic and a drizzle of balsamic and served at room temperature.
And shrimp marinated in worcestershire sauce, olive oil and lemon and then skewered and cooked on the grill. I will be outside in the damp cooking the shrimp so they will be perfect for my guests. I will have a glass of wine with me to warm me.

That's where I will be this evening. What are you up to?

Later,
Janet