Janingalina

Saturday, 26 May, 2007

Tiki Housewarming Party. Einweihungsfeier.

What a weekend. It started with a visitor unexpectedly cancelling on Thursday, I ended up working an extra day (when i would have been picking him up from the airport). Then i was running around with my head cut off trying to get ready for the party. cleaning, shopping, basting the chef... it was tough work!

When the first guests came, there was still a case of sparkling water in the front hall, and i was working on the bean dip. heh. they were good enough to haul up the last of the supplies while i put together a 4 layer dip.

ok, and i'm not usually one to blog about cooking, because really, that's not one of my gifts. but MAN! the bean dip was a hit!! it was just canned refried beans, some sour cream, a couple jars of mediocre salsa, and shredded mozzarella cheese as topping. i couldn't even find orange cheese over here. all in all, i'd say it was an unispired layer dip. but when the guests came it was DEMOLISHED!! i was ecstatic.

i also grilled up some satay, made guacamole and assembled a fruit salad.


but on to the peoplepics! Matthias brought a taste of Michigan for me - Bell's Oberon!!


Mark wanted to taste what i claimed was "good american beer" because he didn't believe it existed. ta-da!


ok, he wasn't terribly impressed, but he said it was passable. me, i was giddy.

speaking of Mark, he brought me a traditional german housewarming present - bread and salt!



some of the guests chilled out in the living room


many of the guests took refuge on the balcony, because it was cooler outside.


Patrícia learned the updraft joys of skirt-wearing by standing near the fan in the kitchen. stefan also partook in some skirt-joy.


a good portion of the former-michigan-residents crew was in attendance.


and a lot of people came in festive clothes.



we met mark's elusive girlfriend katja, who likes ska concerts, but doesn't want to waste her hearing on punk (which is probably why i hadn't met her before)

near the end, there were some absurd statue of liberty photos taken... not quite sure how that started, but for your viewing pleasure:



and then there was a little kitchen dance-party


before the real experimentation began:



i had a great time, and was really glad to be able to host everyone. superthanks to everyone who was able to make it. especially the great folks not pictured (because someone was a little tipsy and less-than-focused on party documentation).

Lula and Mischa brought a tasty Spanish Tortilla, Fréderíque and Denis brought a lemon torte, and a sweet little plant i'm trying not to kill. Ben brought a little japanese maple, which will have to be watered when i'm on vacation, so i'd better get integrated quick!

matthias and alex also brought a beermug from their favorite potter, which i now use almost exclusively! beer comes in 0,5L bottles, which are larger than my pint glasses. but the beer fits perfectly into the mug, which is pretty and nice in the hand and mouth interfaces as well. :)

Sandrine and Nadine came decked in flowers, bearing candle torches.

My landlord and his girlfriend made it, although the people living directly under me weren't available for comment. Many guests also brought bottles of wine, which will be enjoyed to their fullest (even though i may not always remember who brought what.. alcohol may have been a factor, but thank you. :D ).

Stefan and Patrícia, whose social interaction is nothing short of fun to watch


brought a lovely chocolate mousse, and helped with lugging, toting and guacamole prep.