Listening to the quiet

The big family dinner party seems to have been a great success. The brothers and nephew just headed out to their hotel and the quiet is almost deafening (with a side order of wind in the trees outside). I now have confidence that I can produce an acceptable prime rib roast ... although I think it's unlikely that I'll have an opportunity to do so again soon. We almost had a romantic candle-light dinner. Just as I was putting the last dishes on the table, the lights started flickering (with rain and wind going full blast outside), and I got the utility candles out of the cabinet just in case, but the weren't needed in the end. In addition to the parents, brothers, and nephew, the guests included one aunt, four cousins (from two different families), and one cousin-by-marriage. There was all the usual story-telling and reminiscing, plus various bits of updating (including comparisons of remodeling tales). Quite successful, all in all. I wouldn't care to fit that many people into my dining room very often, but it's useful to know that I can.

The menu ( for those who care )