Partying Down!

Friday dawned, clear and cool. I knew today would be a long one, so I got ready and went to work. I worked until 11:30 AM, and then wished everyone a good weekend and left. Why? Because today is my friend Tracey's wedding!

On the way home I made a couple of stops. One was to the bank to get out money so I can pay for my brake job Saturday morning. The other was to a hardware store to pick up some light bulbs and a metal cabinet knob.

The cabinet knob was to solve a problem I have with my cheap cast-iron Dutch oven. You see, some recipes have you sear meat in it and then say to finish it in the oven. Now, a good, expensive Dutch oven has a oven-proof handle for the lid. Mine didn't. So, I would wrap my plastic handle in tinfoil and pray it wouldn't melt. But, I saw a tip in a magazine that said all you have to do is replace it with a metal cabinet knob and you are good to go. So, I bought a heavy metal knob and some various sized screws (a cabinet knob screw is far too long).

When I got home I discovered I only had 4 cat treats (and they are little squares) left! So, I opened one of the free sample cans of cat food and put it on two plates. Caley turned her nose up, as usual, so she got the last four cat treats. Scruffy, as usual, ate all the cat food.

I swapped out the handle on the Dutch oven after a bit of trial and error on screw length. I took two photos so you could see what I am talking about.

I got out my clothes for the wedding and decided to try and take a nap. And, I finally did fall asleep for about a half an hour. I set the alarm for 2:15 PM. I had to leave before 3:00, you see.

Earlier this week, Cheri, a lady at work, found out I was invited so she asked if she could ride with me. I reluctantly said yes (mainly because I didn't want to stay late and then drive home in the dark all that way (the wedding was in St. Clair Shores; about an hour and Northeast from here). She did offer to meet me and leave her car somewhere but I declined, knowing I personally wouldn't like to ride for an hour late at night, get out of a warm car and into a cold one and then drive the rest of the way home, myself.

Project Manager moment: Since the lady lives in Canton, she was about 30 minutes Southwest from me. The wedding is at 5:00 PM (which is rush hour traffic-time) so I figured it would take 1 1/2 hours to get there from her house. So, I needed to pick her up around 3:30 PM.

After waking up, I shaved and showered (yes, again), got dressed and left for her house. I found it without too much trouble and we headed back out on the road. I ran into several traffic jams but we arrived at the Barrister Gardens in St. Clair Shores at 4:45 PM.

Now, knowing Tracey as I do, I very much expected a VFW hall setting with big washtubs filled with long neck beers and ice. So, I had dressed according. I did have a sports jacket over a shirt and slacks, but no tie. I was not prepared for the absolute elegance of the hall! And, almost all of the male guests had suits and ties on!

The people invited from work made up about a table and a half, so we claimed two adjoining tables for the evening. In typical Tracey fashion, she and the bridesmaids (and there were six of them, plus the maid of honor!) were in the bar next door to the hall having one or two beers waiting for the ceremony.

Finally, it was time. They were married right in the hall by a very well-spoken Minister. The ceremony was beautiful, with several things I hadn't seen before. They lit a candle as a memorial for family and friends who had died. And, instead of the typical "unity candle" they did something called the "mingling of the sands." They each had a small crystal goblet of sand (symbolizing all that each of them had been, are now and would be) that they both poured together into a larger goblet. Since the sands were now blended, it would be impossible to ever separate them again. Nice touch!

So, the reception began! They all went off to pose for pictures (this was possibly the most photographed wedding I ever saw, BTW. I did not bring my camera, I asked Fawn to email me a few of her best shots, so maybe I will have something to post for you.) We first got a veggie tray of broccoli, celery and carrots sticks with a sort of ranch dressing (I know there was paprika in it). Later we got dinner rolls and butter. Finally (and none too soon for those of us who didn't eat lunch) dinner! Salad with a hint of Italian flavor came first.

I had to laugh at the first entree. It was linguine with clam sauce. Why is that funny? Well, Tracey and I would invite one another over for dinner back in the day. One of the first things I ever made her was linguine with clam sauce, which she had never tasted. I guess she liked it!

Sidebar: I can still recall her amazement at my spice and herb assortment. She told me that growing up in West Branch, Michigan, the only herbs and spices she ever saw anyone have or use was garlic powder and dried parsley flakes.

After that came perfectly done chicken thighs and drumsticks, roast beef (with a mystery sauce that had an odd flavor component nobody could identify) mashed potatoes and gravy (great gravy, BTW) and mixed veggies.

I passed on the cheesecake dessert and settled for some great coffee. I have had a lot of different coffees, but not being a coffee connoisseur, never really much cared. But this tasted fantastic.

Finally with the dishes cleared, we started the long process of special dances. With six bridesmaids, and her daughter, Katlyn, as maid of honor, and a corresponding number of the best man and groomsmen, this took a long, long time.

But they finally got through with that and the garter, bouquet toss and so on. Then the dancing began around 9:30 PM. Cheri, who had long ago abandoned her high heels for slipper socks, asked me if I was ready to go. I said yes, and so we made our goodbyes.

A long ride home and I dropped her off. Then I drove another 30 minutes back to the house and, thankfully pulled into my garage at about 10:45 PM. I checked the odometer and I put 169 miles on the car tonight.

I got in and apologized again to cats for the lack of treats (but they just didn't want to let it go)! I took off my party clothes and just barely got to bed before I was asleep.