Gobble Gobble in the Hills 11/17/07

Since Phil and I are going to be in Vegas with the Zipkins for Thanksgiving, we decided to host the Days in the Hill's the week before. My parents had not yet made the trek out to Forest Hill's, so it was a big occasion for us! The plan was set to have them over at 7 for dinner. Phil had to rehearse that day and I had to work, but we figured we could still squeek it out in time if we hustled... well things tend not to go smoothly in our world...

• The first problem we faced was that Phil's insomnia struck again... so he woke up dead to the world with plans to head in town early for rehearsals for the chorus and to sing back up vocals for Our Lady J on her new CD... Danger...
• Then my sister-in-law called and asked if we could push the party up a few hours to make it easier for Haydn... Shit!
• Then I got held up at work and did not end up back in the Hill's until a little after 4! We're F'd !

For those doing the math, that gave us about an hour to whip up some magic!

Thankfully, the God's were smiling on us and I had the foresight to preplan one of the entrees the night before, so it just had to be thrown in the oven.

With the help of Phil's friend Athena (from San Diego) we managed to get the rest of it all together and on the table in a timely manner. Phil made his famous gaucamole, a delicious sauteed cabbage and spinach side dish, jasmine rice cooked in chicken broth with parsley, and a Stracciatelle (an Italian Egg Drop Soup), that knocked my family's socks off! All that left me to take care of the main courses ( I know, who knew I could even cook!!) ... a chicken Marbella and an Herb-roasted Pork Loin. Athena also helped Phil make some tasty Oatmeal and sour cream cookies, which, combined with a coffee cake my parents brought and pumpkin bars Amanda made, finished off a lovely evening of food and cheer!