When the end of July rolls around, for many in this town it means the end of the fair. For me, it also means vacation and birthday time. When I was young, our family often took time out of our daily routines at the end of July to travel and rejuvenate ourselves in a totally different environment. I have celebrated my birthday in Odense, Denmark, Snasa, Norway, Aberdeen, Scotland, Paris, France as well as in my home in Belgium and my home here in Goshen. I also remember a birthday spent at my Grandma Hollopeter’s house in Medina, Ohio. But one of the most memorable birthdays happened here in Goshen on the day that I turned thirty.
I decided to host a group of about forty people to celebrate the passing of the years. Since it was summer and we were having such a large group, I chose to have an indoor/outdoor party. I first designed and addressed all the invitations by hand, choosing friends from various walks of life and making sure that each coming would know at least one other person there. I handed out all the invitations in person about one week before the event, hoping that everyone would be able to come. I specifically asked those coming to bring musical instruments, hoping the evening would end in a jam session. (Many of our friends seem to have musical talents since Jim is a musician himself). I made sure to tell the neighbours that they might be serenaded that night!
Then, I started in earnest with the planning: I needed a great but simple menu, some creative ideas for decorating the place and a good week to get extra cleaning done. The menu took on a Spanish theme with beans, a beer chili stew, salsa and cheese, a green salad and tortilla chips. I also included two of my favorite summer drinks: meadow tea and sangria. I was lucky that my sister and her husband decided to come for the weekend. She helped me with the last minute cleaning on the back porch and went out with me on the byways and back roads to gather wild flowers for our decorations. We had fun finding odd containers, bottles and pitchers around the house to fill with a mix of wild flowers at their peak. I especially remember Queen Anne’s lace and baby blue bachelor buttons, alongside some wild grasses, sitting on the wooden countertop in a green jug. Then we got down to business: meat to cut and sear, onions, sweet peppers and chilies to chop, tomatoes to peel and dice and all of it set to simmer to bring out all of its flavour. Beans were soaked then boiled and again set to simmer with spices. The mint was cut and brewed with sugar, water and lemon to bring the taste of summer to the party. And the last piece of the puzzle: the sangria. I chose this drink because of the pleasant memories I have of sipping it at a party in Barcelona. I love cutting oranges, lemons and limes to release their fragrance in the wine and adding just enough of everything else to make it taste just right. The taste testing doesn’t hurt either.
So there I was. The table was set with dishes and silverware and napkins. The punch bowls were full of minted goodness and ruby red wine. The flowers set a festive note. Soon the guests arrived and the party took off. It was a low-key affair with friendly banter, good company and lively music. As dusk fell, we lit candles on the back porch and voices slowly quieted. The first guest came at 6, the last at midnight. Finally, around two, we said our last good byes, gave a quick once-over to the backyard and rooms, and fell into bed, very happy and very tired. I was now ready to enter my thirtieth decade. Once in a while, it is fun to have a good party!
Sangria
1 bottle of Rioja wine
1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1 1/2 cans lemon-lime spritzer
3 T. sugar
3T. orange juice
Slice the fruit. Put it and its juices in the bottom of a small punch bowl. Add the wine, the spritzer, the sugar and the orange juice. Mix well. Allow to sit for several hours so the flavours can mellow. Serve on ice or well chilled. Serves four.
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