Friends in for Dinner, Music, and Memories Warm Up a Winter's Night

Entertaining is one of life's greatest pleasures.
When the gathering is with long-time friends, it's like icing on a cake---a sweet and an extra treat.

One recent night, dear friends of 31 years standing came to visit. That called for setting the dining room table with a very best tablecloth and matching napkins as well as using most treasured dishes, Old Country Roses.

By the way, the exquisite tablecloth and napkins happened to be a Salvation Army find for the almost unbelievable price of  $20. Someone must have paid a lot of money for them at one time but almost never used them as they are in tip top shape.

Two red candles graced tall brass candlesticks on either end of the table.

Overhead the room's crowning glory, a crystal chandelier found in Home Depot, cast romantic light on the entire scene. It has been put on a dimmer and is a highlight of this home's interior decorating. By the way, the old-fashioned, romantic chandy cost only $124!

The menu included Pasta Carbonara from a Rachel Ray cookbook. Undoubtedly, it is truly the most delectable pasta dish for guests or a solo feast. It has lots of Italian bacon, olive oil, garlic, and creamy romano cheese. Also on the menu was a Lebanese salad, "Fatoush," which calls for a rather exotic herb, "sumac." It  also includes chopped green onion, mint, cucumbers, radishes, parsley, tomatoes, lemon juice, olive oil, and toasted pita bread pieces. To borrow one of Rachel's signature words, this salad is "yummo."

A china platter of filet mignons and soft "snowflake" rolls with butter rounded off the meal. Mmm mmm mmm
My daughter brought toffee bars for dessert which guests just about inhaled.

After dinner, everyone retired into the living room. A fire crackled in the fireplace, we sang with banjo and guitar, drank wine, and made more memories!

In the midst of this harsh winter, an evening with beloved friends seemed like a treasured gift. Everyone savored every moment, much like every bite of the menu, .  How could gratitude not fill the heart to the breaking point for such an evening?

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT ENTERTAINING?