I have been on a hot tea binge since I started studying for exams. And I have been on an Elliott Smith binge since I made Mark this mix. This is my life, lately: wrapped around hot cups of orange spice tea with "Clementine" or "Waltz #2" in the background.

Tonight is the first time that I've been home in nearly two days. My dad hired my sister and Rainier and I to help cater a party for his Sunday school class. Most of the members are upper middle class suburbanites with four cars, six ovens, and twenty bathrooms in the type of home my family calls "a starter castle." Sweeping generalizations aside, the woman who hosted the party had a beautiful house. Bookshelves wrapped all the way up the stairs, and it seemed like there were windows everywhere, and oversized french doors, and granite countertops, and the most expensive, comfortable leather furtniture you can imagine. Something about it was unnatural, though -- pristine yet hollow, like a dollhouse. Perfume set out on every vanity, unused bars of soap in every bathroom. It had the warmness of a home, but it was new and you wondered where all the things were. There was furniture and there were display dishes, but nothing that didn't have a purpose.

Preparing the food for the party consumed most of today and some of yesterday. The menu: poached pears in a reduced wine sauce, stuffed with blue cheese and walnuts; dates stuffed with smoked almonds and wrapped in bacon; saffron risotto; shrimp in olive oil and garlic, with sherry; meatballs; a chicken/artichoke/sausage casserole; a spanish potato omelette with saffron and caramelized onions; fruit and vegetable plates; french bread with dipping oil; sangria. We did a lot of prep yesterday afternoon, and worked from noon until around 9:30 tonight cooking, serving, and cleaning. Here are a few pictures.

Last night was Carolyn's annual Christmas party. (Here are some pictures that Alexa took). We watched Wet Hot American Summer, which has become a tradition. Every five minutes someone says, "This is totally the best part," and we spend the whole movie comparing characters to people we know. Elizabeth and I left briefly for another annual party (caroling). Just so I've got all my partying documented.

Tomorrow: assessment of Christmas shopping that I've left to do.

Oh, and Carolyn got us Wilco tickets, just so I can rub it in everyone's face. First row balcony, bitches.

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