SURPRISE VISIT

                                   It is already a month since my last blog entry.  The time passes so fast for me, because a lot happened in the last 40 days. Actually it was an exciting February for Donna and me, but first  all about my surprise visit.

                                    On Wednesday, January 27th I was informed to pick up Tony Lucero from the airport the next day at 1:30 pm. Since we barely have visitors from out of the state, it was a special treat to have Tony here for a short weekend! It was a great surprise and we had a fantastic time.

Tony arriving at the Lambert international Airport in St Louis.

First things first, Tony is teaching me how to make a perfect 

"Bacardi, soda with a splash of diet coke" drink.

This drink is very refreshing and is Donna's and my favorites ever since.

I fixed a few that night under the watchful eye of the teacher!

Since I had not much time with planing we had to munch on

Carnitas with  tortillas, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

I just received a new phone and Tony helped me set it up.

As you see we had a great time

I guess the Bacardi got a little bit out of hand!

St Louis is the proud owner of a tiny Ski area, I would call it a large bunny hill,

only about halve hour from our house. There are 2 ski lifts and also ski rental.

On Friday Tony and I went to check it out

We did not bring the right clothing to go skiing or make a few runs.

Actually it looked much better that I remembered.

Since we could not ski and also the bar was closed (to early)

We decided to try to break the bank in the nearest Casino,

The Ameristar in St Charles.

That night we had quit a good dinner, starting with 

Lobster bisque

Montricher salad

and

Giant broiled pork chops

Recuperating from a busy Friday

we had beautiful sunny weather on Saturday

and as always the time went to fast and Tony had to return to Florida

that evening.

Tony, thank you for coming to see us. We had a great time!

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

                           Yes, it was Donna's Birthday bash, and we all helped celebrating her exciting, young life being in the middle of the fifties now. Daniel, Eric, Donna and myself had a head start Friday night with lots of beverages and snacks.
                            Saturday the whole family and friends came over for some Barbecue, organised by Windy and Brian. It was delicious. I contributed some fresh apple strudel with cream anglaise and chocolate sauce for dessert.
                            Last but not least, on Sunday, January 20, it was just Donna and me, babysitting Nitro, celebrating her real day of birth and indulging Champagne and King crag legs.
                            Overall a fantastic Weekend.

Friday

Ready for the weekend to start

We went to a Golf show earlier and decided to start Donna's celebration right after

It looks like we had a great time that Friday evening.

Saturday

A beautiful arrangement arrived Saturday morning

from our friends in Florida, Tony and Amy

Happy Donna is starting a little shrine

Donna is opening some gifts

while Eliana took a nap

and after receiving the birthday gifts 

she took care of Eliana

with enjoyment

Her first Birthday with our new addition Eliana

here is Eric with tremendous pleasure filled by my stupid mistake

burning some chocolate in the microwave.

For a half hour the whole house smelled bad! (Sorry)

Luke is enjoying the barbecue ribs

and so does Gina.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA

                         

NEW YEARS EVE 2012

                                 We just celebrated  the end of 2012, another successful party in our house, with the addition of two first timer, Nicolas and Eliana. We started in 2005 and this is our 8th annual New Year's Eve party.

                                Our protocol never changed. We always start with a few cocktails around 6 pm , then enjoy a upgraded  4 course dinner,  following with playing games, having more cocktails and ringing in the new year at midnight traditionally with champagne and some snack's.

                                 There was just a little change this year, we all took turns taking care of Nicolas and Eliana, and for this reason certain people had to limit their alcohol intake.

                                  Also the photographer was a bit distracted and there not that many picture. I am missing photos of the beautiful dinner table set up. Donna did a fantastic job, everything looked great.

                                  In actuality,  everybody helped to make this party a success and a special thanks to Gina  who came earlier to help me with moving some heavy furniture.

The host Donna

 ready to welcome everybody

New Years Eve Menu 2012

Baked Lobster, Scallops and Shrimp mousse

Creamed Lobster sauce

Butter lettuce, hearts of palm, spinach and avocado

Roquefort crumbles,  creamy Montricher dressing

Roast beef tenderloin, Merlot sauce

Gratin potatoes with shallots and Gruyere cheese

Stuffed zucchini with asparagus and carrot puree, topped with a pastry sail.

Teardrop tomatoes and spinach garnish

Black forest Cake

Cream anglaise

Midnight Snack

Italian prosciutto, salami and cheese platter, iced shrimp with cocktail sauce

assorted chips and home made cookies

******

Eric helped me dishing up the plates for dinner

Everybody gets a baby sitting turn

Grandma with Eliana

Getting ready for dinner

 Preparing the New Year's toast

6 minutes to 2013

Karla is getting ready to celebrate

Checking out the count down on TV from Time Square in New York

The clock is inching closer

Eliana and Nicolas getting ready

Happy New Year 2013

 from everybody

and from Donna and myself

from Nicolas

from Eliana

from Donna, Eric, myself and Karla

and from the new Daddy with Eliana