a busy day

I want to wait till I have all the food on the table before I take the pictures, and I don't want to put the cold food out too soon, so I wind up remembering to snap photos just as people are arriving and I don't take time to fuss with stuff like lighting.  To the right you can see the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and a ring of pecans.  Beneath that dare the lemon meringues.  To the left of them is the fruit salad (oranges, mangoes, kiwis and coconut.) the the three tiered stand from bottom up, the turkey/cheese roll-ups, the maple cream sandwich cookies, and the bourbon balls.

DH suggested that I serve the cake in single layers which was inspired.  Usually, people ask for half a slice of cake, and this way, it was just the top half.  Some of the ladies cut the slices in half anyway.  Then, to my very great delight, they went back for the second half.  Maybe even a third half?  And everyone asked for the recipe.  Yayyyy!!  The meringues were tough, but I think that had something to do with the lemon juice I flavored them with.  And the oven was a bit too warm. I will improve with practice.

 But needless to say, we feasted and frolicked as ever.

DH came home and declared that he was jonesing for pastrami, so we decided to try a deli we've never been to before.  On the way, we passed this bush.  The purple buds are berries.  Does anyone have any idea what this bush is?  I want one!

The deli was a delight and we stuffed ourselves.  We will need to return soon so I can try the matzoh-ball soup.  I had a tongue sandwich and OMG it was yummy!

Then we had to stop in at the LUSH bubble bath store, since it was a party day - the Gold Ticket promotion kick-off.  All the staff were wearing gold and sparkle and festive attire.

Isn't he just adorable?  And such a sweetie!  I wish I could remember his name.  Gold lame shorts, and formal black over-the knee socks.

Good Lord, am I really that stout?  Well, I'm still beautiful on the inside.  Pretty is as pretty does, and I do pretty well.