To Do and To Get: those are the questions….
October 23, 2011 in Uncategorized
I’m beginning to know why people have their fiftieth birthday parties catered, or at venues and restaurants… so much less organising, and anguishing about whether it will rain or not… as I am at the moment. I am having my party at home, for friends, and I plan to have everything set out outside, in the back courtyard, hopefully under a starry sky. The weather forecast says 39% rain for next Saturday, and if that 39% happens in my suburb, I will be wishing that I’d rather booked a restaurant!
Earlier tonight I sat making a final list of guests (almost everyone on my first list to invite have accepted), and then, on a fresh piece of paper, my final To Do and To Get list. It is a long list. I have decided on a Middle Eastern theme for food. On my list of food ingredients: Chickpeas, lamb, aubergine, lemons, coriander, mint, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, pita bread, olives, baklava, Turkish delight, almonds, pistacchios…. I brought back two packets of sumac from Paris, not having been able to find that in Jhb earlier when I wanted to make a Lebanese dish… I cannot wait to incorporate that into the fatoush(like panzanella but with toasted pita and a lemon and oil and garlic and sumac dressing) that I will serve alongside heaps of falafel, lamb and chicken kebabs, hummus, babaganoush, with pita.. I am making the falafel myself: I had been doing a bit of a taste test of some places making falafel, but they don’t come close to tasting the way I made them last weekend from a new recipe: with soaked dried chickpeas, not tinned ones, green with herbs, fragrant with spices, a slight chilli pepper bite to them, so I will be at the stove cooking falafel an hour before the guests arrive on Saturday! And then have to jump into the shower to get the frying oil smell out of my hair no doubt before I put on my party dress!
The babaganoush, that wonderful eggplant puree I will make from a recipe my fiancée had brought back from Israel when he was in his early twenties: that at least can be made a day before..
So my list awaits on my desk: a whole A4 page, dense with writing. I am an inveterate list maker. It’s an important part of the ritual of entertaining to me. To first sit and write down ideas for a menu: I usually have two or three options, and often the final choice comes down to who I am inviting. Then, once that is decided, the list becomes more specific: the To Get part first: from flowers and candles to a particular brand of whiskey which a particular guest may prefer… then a To Do part… even obvious things like “pick up ice from bottle store” gets written down. I sound like a super organised person no doubt, and in some ways I am. But this is more about feeling more certain and less anxious than efficiency, I have to confess! Also, I like writing… so sitting doing a list, hearing the scratching of my fountain pen, seeing words appear in neat rows give me immense pleasure.
I have a collection of old shopping lists in several journals and even cookbooks, culled from handbags and purses, some written even on the back of envelopes, or on torn out notepaper, denoting special meals cooked in the past: I can write a book based on those: each a little story… my life measured out in abandoned food shopping lists!
mitzireddy said on October 24, 2011
Shopping lists and menus are also my thing – lol. Your menu sounds mouthwatering – lucky guests – Happy birthday. Enjoy your week.
rumtumtigger said on October 24, 2011
Happy 50th birthday! Wow, what a milestone. Lists are probably the only thing keeping you sane at the moment and, before you know it, you’ll find yourself standing surrounded by friends and family on Saturday and, with a sigh of satisfaction say to yourself, “It was all worth it”. Good luck with everything you need to do and fingers crossed that the weather cooperates ;o)
frootcake said on October 24, 2011
As luck would have it, I too am having a rather belated birthday dinner at home on Saturday 29/10 – so good luck to you as we gaze across the pooter screens at our frizzled hair and flushed faces, trying to get everything done in time lol. Happy 50th Birthday to you xxx
Sous-Chef said on October 24, 2011
I also have lists that I lose regularly! I hope you have a splendid birthday and that the rain stays away.
Ronelleh said on October 24, 2011
Thanks Mitzi… I’ll definitely blog about the outcome! you have a nice week too…
Ronelleh said on October 24, 2011
Fingers crossed indeed! I suppose I really should just relax and believe that everything will work out well.. you’re right, I’m sure I will have a good birthday no matter what! x
Ronelleh said on October 24, 2011
Thank you… I’m smiling at the image of us two feeling frazzled! Truth be told, I love the excitement of it all! xx
Ronelleh said on October 24, 2011
Hello and thank you: it’s good to hear from other list makers! It really is my saving grace sometimes, if I remember to take it to the shops that is!!
pinkpolkadot said on October 24, 2011
I am sure it will be a wonderful celebration!!! Enjoy!
houghton95 said on October 25, 2011
HOlding thumbs that the rain will hold off on the nighty of your party which sounds like an amazing happening. We’ll drink a toast to you that night and wish wwe cold be with you all
Ronelleh said on October 25, 2011
Thank you; my guests are all very good friends so that already guarantees a wonderful evening… even if it rains!
Ronelleh said on October 25, 2011
Thanks Mona, I have several times since I started making my list of guests wished that you were closer by and could be here too.. xxx