LOTR, 40 garlic cloves, 2 chickens, 9 friends, 3 straws?

Many people may not know it, but I do like to cook...I just choose not to most of the time because it's too much freaking work! I feel like with sewing I can see and keep the end product forever. With food, there is just that instant gratification and then BAM! it's over. The food is gone and you are left with dirty dishes and a full stomach. I have cooked for people before, but I don't recall a time when I planned and prepared a 3 course meal for friends by myself. So I decided it was about time I tested my skills in the kitchen to see if I was able to pull if off.

ON THE MENU:

APPETIZER

Crostini with goat cheese, basil leaf, prosciutto, sauteed grapes, and balsamic vinegar drizzle
DELICIOUS!!

Steve enjoyed the mouthful of crostini.

An assortment of fruity beverages...and root beer


ENTREE
2 Chickens stuffed with 40+ garlic cloves. The chicken literally fell off the bone. So tasty! And there was even enough left over to make soup with the leftovers...and y'all know how I love soup!

Orzo, and marinated cucumbers in vinegar and dill. The cukes were my momma's recipe

Green beans with bacon.

My accomplishments :)

I had a proud moment

DESSERT

Trifle (no meat...sorry Joey)

Angel Food Cake, Jello, fruit, pudding, cool whip. Momma Domm's recipe

Me being proud of my work. Level of difficulty = 1, but it still tasted yummy

Homemade Frozen Raspberry Yogurt

oh kim...whatcha thinkin about?

DID I MENTION THAT DURING ALL OF THIS FOOD PREP AND ENTERTAINING THAT I FINISHED "LORD OF THE RINGS" SUNDAY NIGHT TOO?! BAM!!

Here is my review: That movie is too effing long. And yes, I deserve a medal for watching the extended versions. Although I didn't have a choice cause those are the ones my roommate had.

#1 was pretty boring, just wasn't feeling it

#2 wasn't so bad. It got a lot more entertaining with Golum..."my precious" haha. I like him

#3 was probably ok, but we were all talking most of the movie so I didn't completely follow it. But I got the gist.

VIGO WHATSHISFACE WAS PRETTY NICE TO LOOK AT THOUGH...

NOOOO!! DON'T MAKE ME WATCH IT AGAIN!!!



9 + HOURS OF LORD OF THE RINGS (NOT ALL IN ONE DAY...), SO DONE


I have to give it to people that entertain all of the time! It's so much work. I always had respect for how great my mom was at entertaining and cooking for people, but I really had my eyes opened this weekend to how much work she really put into it all the time. Argh, I miss her.

Anyway, I had so much fun cooking for friends and had a little fun watching Lord of the Rings.
Maybe I'll make it a once a year thing (cooking for friends, not watching that movie again)!

What, I just like profile pictures :)