Friends, Good Wines and Glorious Food

Somewhere back in January, we received an invitation for dinner at TBF’s. Unlike us, they plan these events a long time in advance. You’ll understand why later as you read.

Our day started very early (like 6:30 am!!) because we had to go into town to pick up a few things and OrangeX had the glorious idea of getting an appointment to get his hair cut at freaking 8 am! I need time and a couple of coffees to wake up and get ready. Anyway, we found everything we needed: a bag for my brand new laptop (yeah!), a laser mouse (mouse pads drive me crazy), a graphic pen tablet for - of course – graphic work and a few presents for our hosts that evening. After doing a few groceries, I cleaned the garden table, sat outside in the sun and started installing my newly acquired mouse and tablet.

Knowing that it might get late, I decided to take a 20 minute power-nappy late in the afternoon (and was glad I did so). We called a taxi (better safe than sorry) and arrived at the TBF residence short after 7pm. Charlotte, Mrs. TBF’s french teacher and also a guest that evening, had gotten there short before us. We were welcomed with a Kir royal and soon after that, the last two guests, Chris and Hanspeter, arrived. It’s nice to meet new people, especially because TBF’s always manage to bring together a group that fits well. We chatted a while and were then called to be seated at a perfectly set table.

The Big Finn’s are not only wonderful hosts, but also excellent cooks. We were treated to following (Mrs. TBF: Please correct me if needed):

• a plate of three different cold amuse-bouches: fresh fig wrapped in parma ham, a chilled green pea soup with crabfish and a lentil salad delicately seasoned with truffle oil
• a delicious warm pie filled with walnuts, goat’s cheese and caramelised endives served with greens (are you drooling, too?)
• Pasta with a creamy crab meat sauce and freshly grated parmesan
• Coquelet (or cornish hen) with young season vegetable
• Young and old pecorino cheese with a touch of honey served with pear bread
• Mrs. TBF’s yummy prune pie
• Chocolates and coffee

Now is THAT a menu, or what?!! And the wines that accompanied this scrumptious meal (you must all be jealous by now) were a very nice Chilean white with the first 3 courses, a red wine from Washington with the main course (sorry,but I can’t remember the names), and finally an Amarone (my personal favorite wine). Now you surely understand why the TBF’s start planning early. We haven’t eaten so well (or so much) in ages!

We ended up all feeling pretty good (the wines maybe??), chatting away, comparing feet (yup, that’s right) and joking around until we realized that it was already 4 am. As usual, OrangeX and I were the last to leave. We called a taxi, drove home and went (as straight as possible) to bed. We got up at 10:30 this morning feeling a bit tired still, but going over the wonderful meal in our minds again and still laughing at the fun evening at TBF’s. Thank you so much! Next time will be our turn.

Pictures will follow as soon as Blogger will let me. Hopefully it won't take all evening! *Sigh*

***UPDATE*** THE PICTURES ARE HERE***

Did we have fun or what?

OrangeX is really enjoying the company.

... And so is King (Charlotte and I took good care of him)

Hanspeter and Chris relaxing after dinner

It's getting late...

Who, us?? Never!

Charlotte demonstrated how to prove to the cops that you are still capable of driving. Really??!!

And the finale, just before we left.

We'd have much more, but I don't want to overload blogger ;-)

Till next time.