edc wrote:I've purchased two tickets. My guest, while not strictly vegetarian, is interested in the squash dish.

Thanks,
edc

Terrific!

I'm getting closer! I'll be in Chicago that day, just not at this party. Lots of goats however out in my neck of the woods. Herds of them!

Hello,

I've just bought my ticket for one. Looking forward to meeting everyone in person after years of great reading.

I had a busy weekend....

One Gingerbread hacienda raffle gift is ready...
complete with rock candy cacti and sour candy parquet sidewalk...

Nice, irisarbor!

Am I correct in remembering that there was a table at this event for us to bring used cookbooks/magazines to share? Will this happen again this year? How about food donations? (If you need someone to haul donations, I'm willing to help.)

mamagotcha wrote:How about food donations? (If you need someone to haul donations, I'm willing to help.)

In the past we've had sort of an informal food drive at our party and it'd be great to continue that tradition (originally started by Vital Information) this year. Last year I chose the pantry, which was local for me. Do you have a local pantry/charity to which you'd like to see food donations made? If so, maybe you could call them and ask specifically what items they need at the moment. If you post that info here, I'm sure LTHers will respond accordingly and generously.

Thanks!

=R=

Oh, irisarbor! That is magnificent!

Giovanna

OK, I did some looking around... it seems like the Greater Chicago Food Depository is the main food bank for the area, with a number of smaller agencies that do collection and distribution. The one closest to me is also part of the Salvation Army, but the coordinator there quickly assured me that they will help anyone who comes to them, without regard to race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or anything else... they do ask for some information from their clients, but she says that's mostly to make sure they have access to other services if they need them, and that if a client declines to provide that information, they are still eligible for all the available services at the food bank.

Here's more info on the main food bank: http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/

And here's a list of things they need the most right now:
• Beans
• Canned Fruit
• Canned Vegetables
• Cereal
• Chili
• Jelly
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Pasta
• Pasta Sauce
• Peanut Butter
• Rice
• Shelf-Stable Milk
• Soup
• Stew
• Tuna

If any guests are willing to bring these (or other non-perishable items) to our holiday gathering, Chouxfly and I would be happy to take them to the food pantry.

Thank you for your generosity, LTHers, and thank you, Ronnie, for letting me do this so last-minute! Spread the word, gang, and let's give a hand to those who aren't as fortunate as we are.

Thanks, mamagotcha. We'll definitely bring some donations, as sure many other LTHers will, too.

See you all tomorrow!

=R=

Yes, good thought, mamagotcha. Thanks for pushing it through.

Hi,

If you have a last minute impulse to attend, we can accommodate up to seven people.

Regards,

Thanks to everybody for making this happen! I had a great time and it was nice seeing some new folks.

What a great party. Thanks again to all who made it happen. And thanks for picking Birrieria Zaragoza. What a splendid place. The food was sensational. And, of course, the company and conversation were excellent. Perfect evening.

I survived my first LTH Holiday Party. It was wonderful. I can't wait to go back and pick up some "goat to go." Thanks to all who planned. I will definitely have to bring a better "food" gift next year.

zaragoza was a perfect pick for last night's party. my apologies again to mamagotcha for taking her table. i didn't know that there wouldn't be enough seats for everyone. hammond explained that there was a communication breakdown between the organizers and the restaurant, which is why we were short several tables and chairs.
this was an LTH party at perfect pitch: plentiful food; interesting conversations; jimthebeerguy passing among us with his homemade brews and ronniesuburban strolling about with his giant bottle of bourbon. and who knew that horchata and rum makes a perfect drink?

Justjoan, no worries. All's well that ends well!

Ms. Ingie, we were the fortunate recipient of your adorable penguin plates, and I can tell you that my 8yo thinks they are beyond awesome (as do I!). I thought your kind gift was perfectly appropriate, and we are looking forward to enjoying many platings of holiday goodies off of them for years to come! (We also got the stunning glass bowl from Mr. Leek, wow!)

Many thanks to Dave and Cathy and all those who contributed to such a wonderful evening... Jim's beer, Dobra's macarons, Ronnie's very generous pours, and the magnificent goat from our hosts... we also were extremely fortunate to win one of the gift certificates, and I can't wait to go back to enjoy more from this GNR!

Finally, I want to extend my humble gratitude to the extremely generous members of LTH Forum for your donations for the food pantry. We have four giant boxes STUFFED with food items for some of the less fortunate members of our community. In the midst of our big annual celebration of food and friendship, you all found it in your hearts to share some of your bounty, and I want you to know it will make a difference to those who desperately need a hand right now. I am so very proud to be part of this group (getting a little verklempt here!), and if you'll let me, I'd be honored to do the collection again next year.

Great party in every way! So great, in fact, that I forgot my two small coolers with beer still in them at the restaurant, back at the last table on the left. If anyone found them, you are welcome to keep the beer, but I would love those small coolers back. Let me know and we'll arrange it. Thank you!

swingbossa wrote:Great party in every way! So great, in fact, that I forgot my two small coolers with beer still in them at the restaurant, back at the last table on the left. If anyone found them, you are welcome to keep the beer, but I would love those small coolers back. Let me know and we'll arrange it. Thank you!

I don't remember seeing them, but I'd suggest calling the restaurant.

mamagotcha wrote:I'd be honored to do the collection again next year.

Thank you, we will be happy to have this be your contribution to the event.

Regards,

Mrs. JiLS and I had a marvelous time at the party, and having missed only one since the inception of the practice, I can say this was among the most convivial of them all. Kudos to our hosts and all who made the evening such a wonderful success. We received a wonderful gift from the exchange, and we can only hope the recipients of our contribution will speak to us again. My only regrets from the evening are that (1) many of my "seasons greetings" to old LTH friends were but a hand wave across the crowded room (you know who you were, I hope!), and (2) I saw a lot of folks last night I've never met, but either because of the business of the setting or my own shyness, I did not get to know you; next year, for sure. And maybe it was the rum; "blame it on champagne" is always the right sentiment at these events. Anyway, the one, most important thing of which I was most acutely reminded last night was that LTH Forum is a real community of real people who meet in real time to enjoy real life ... and this website is a wonderful facilitator of all of the above. Thanks, everybody.

I pray someone took better pix than I did.



Every shot I have of Laura (C2's sister), she looks worried.



I'm pretty sure in this shot justjoan was telling me about a problem she had with the napkins.



I had pozole for breakfast, too. Norma did a fine job of hosting and cooking and being generally a gracious person.



Chicken birria -- tastes like goat.



Really cool that John Zaragoza played tunes for us.

It was a wonderful party and the food was fantastic (of course). The chocolate tamalito was a first for me. And I was thrilled to receive Cathy's famous sauerkraut in the gift exchange! Cathy, is that attached opener really also a flash drive??

thanks to all who helped organize the fabulous event!

The sing-a-long was the best part. It's a shame I'm too shy.

Pie Lady wrote:It's a shame I'm too shy.

Too shy = Not drunk enough.

That really was a great party! It was so nice to catch up with the LTHers I already knew and get to know several who I'd never met before. Thanks, to everyone who helped make it as enjoyable as it was, especially Cathy, Hammond and mamagotcha for their excellent contributions.

I also want to give a huge shout-out to our hosts, Juan and Norma Zaragoza who, in addition to being phenomenal chefs, are also tremendous hosts. They provided a stellar environment for our holiday season kick-off. The food -- especially the pozole, the birria and those tortillas -- was sensational. And when Juan broke out his guitar at the end of the evening, it took things to a whole other level. Just a great, great time.

=R=

Amata wrote:It was a wonderful party and the food was fantastic (of course). The chocolate tamalito was a first for me. And I was thrilled to receive Cathy's famous sauerkraut in the gift exchange! Cathy, is that attached opener really also a flash drive??

thanks to all who helped organize the fabulous event!

It really is a flash drive! It is a perfect 007 type device!

I hope you enjoy it!

Regards,

stevez wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:It's a shame I'm too shy.

Too shy = Not drunk enough.

Good, then she could safely navigate herself home!

Cathy2 wrote:It really is a flash drive! It is a perfect 007 type device!

As one who read all the classic Fleming up until 1971, I can say with some assurance that Bond would never crack a beer.

Still, very cool gift!

stevez wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:It's a shame I'm too shy.

Too shy = Not drunk enough.

I tried.

Cathy2 wrote:

stevez wrote:

Pie Lady wrote:It's a shame I'm too shy.

Too shy = Not drunk enough.

Good, then she could safely navigate herself home!

Safely, maybe, but correctly is another matter. I shockingly did make it back without getting lost.