Shindig 2024 11/27/24

Rather lousy picture but the only photo taken of our 2024 Shindig. I opted for the Charcuterie approach this year because of my declining health. I honestly can't rely on myself at this point, and no one can rely on me. My cardiologist says I need another surgery and that just isn't in the budget as we are still paying off last year's first attempt to set things right. I send Peter to the grocery for me now. The last time I drove was November 1st. I rely on Peter and Lance to take me to doctors' appointments. 

I had wanted to make homemade hummus, a very easy recipe, but when Peter found hummus in the store, I told him to buy it. I cleaned and cut up fruits and veg. I sliced cheeses. I made a pea salad and a chickpea cranberry salad. Peter bought a potato salad from the deli. I roasted veg. But all the dips and salsas were bought prepared. We had sliced breads and spreads on another counter for making small sandwiches. There was a drinks station with hot teas and coffee, carbonated fruit drinks, and bottled water. 

I cleared and cleaned my kitchen island then I wrapped it in two layers of butcher's paper. Crackers were placed between the dishes of food. From the bottom, left to right. Sliced Red Onion between crackers. A tray with three types of grapes, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and dried apricots.Then a pea salad, a french onion dip, and a ranch dip. Behind that a spinach dip and a cheese platter with seasoned mozzarella balls at the center. A bowl of mixed nuts in front of a tray of roasted veggies: sliced potatoes, brussel sprouts, garlic potatoes, carrots, and blanched lemony green beans. The meat tray of turkey and ham had two salsas to either side. There was a raw veg tray with cauliflower, broccoli, red and green bell peppers, and small tomatoes. A bowl of mustard potato salad and more mixed nuts. At the very end was my chick pea salad with cranberries, two types of hummus, and a pickles tray of kalamata olives, stuffed olives, dill pickles, and pickled okra.

Stovetop I had a black bean soup and my daughter brought her three cheese mac and cheese. 

My stepmom made an apricot brandy pound cake. My daughter brought a mix of truffles. I supplied a simple tray of mixed cookies and chocolates. 

There were eight of us for the evening. Everyone was sent home with food. We're left noshing on leftovers for the week.