Fireworks, Food and The Black Dahlia?

July 4th 2008, fell on a Friday...Can we make it a law? From now on it should be Independence Day Weekend. The party was at Aimee's house, aka The Ranch. It was perfect, the weather was beautiful, the pool was refreshing, the grill was cookin, the margarita machine was working overtime and The Black Dahlia was taking names.

The following pictures show victims of the so-called Black Dahlia. Pictures!

Fun in the Sun

Better then late then never. Last Sunday my friends Mike and Sarah had a Pool Party/BBQ at their lovely home. The weather was awesome, the food was fantastic, the cocktails were inebriating and the company couldn't be better.

I brought over some Deviled Eggs with Truffle oil and my moms famous Fried Chicken Wings with a Spicy Asian Chili Sauce. Some other delicious apps included a Spinach and Feta baked in puff pastry, very much like a Spankopita, Roasted Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Spicy Citrus Grilled Shrimp and some great dips and cheese.


If you're having a party at Mike and Sarah's, you cannot forget to mention the wines. On this day we enjoyed several lovely wines,'99 Domaine Matrot - Meursault Perrieres,
'99 F&L Pillot - Chassagne Montrachet - Vide Bourse, '05 Pio Cesare Barolo,'06 Amisfield Pinot Noir - Central Otaga New Zealand and '06 Under The Radar Babcock Winery Syrah - Santa Barbara County.

Then came Tony's famous Margaritas. Dangerous! So smooth, but so dangerous. After a couple of those I was feelin good. More noshing and I was was full, really full. So it was time for a dip in the pool.

Dinner Time! Mike and Sarah had a great menu planned, BBQ Tri-tip, Chicken Kabobs with a Tatziki sauce, Herb Rice and Salad. But, I was still full. Like they say no pain, no gain...so I toughed if out and ate a plate full of food. It was tasty. Dessert included some great Chex Mix Cereal Bars, Coconut Caramel Bars and Chocolate Cake.

See more photos here.