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Partay! Partay! Partay!

There was a time when nothing made me happier than planning a party. A dinner party? I was on it. Holiday gathering? At my place. A ladies’ tea? My treat! (I even planned parties I never ended up hosting.)

I loved both the planning and the execution of celebrations and gatherings.

If the celebration wasn’t tied to a holiday, the inspiration sometimes came from the oddest places. A juicy-looking leg of lamb in the butcher’s case? Oh, a spring-themed dinner party was already taking shape. Miniature glass vases on sale at the dollar store? Suddenly, a ladies' lunch on the patio with four flower-filled vases on each table! White chairs. Pink linen and floral plates! I had the party rental business on speed dial.

I loved crafting the invitations, either at the stationery store (we had those back in the day) or making them by hand. (Note: If you get too artsy, it can cost a bundle.)

Choosing the menu was often the easiest part for me. As I mentioned, that leg of lamb I saw? Snap! Spring dinner. Asian wallpaper once inspired a Chinese-themed evening. I made the classic Chinese chicken salad, but I outsourced the wonton soup and a couple of sides. And, of course, I made a run to Pier 1, I had to get those rice bowls and chopsticks.

I can’t tell you how many times my main course was a first attempt at a brand-new recipe. Looking back, I had some serious chutzpah!

One dinner I will never (ever) forget: I invited a couple over and served a new pork roast recipe; it was my first time making one. I was so proud; it looked spectacular.
Turns out they kept kosher. I kid you not. I didn’t know! They were incredibly gracious and kind. We feasted on potatoes and haricots verts that night.

Setting the dining table was my finest hour. Flowers were a must, around the house and on the table. The linens were always white unless it was a luncheon or a baby shower. Does anyone need some napkin rings? I have lots and lots! Candles? Absolutely. I brought out the old wedding Lenox and the silver-plated cutlery. I was finally putting those silver serving pieces to use, my Mom was so proud.

Planning my son’s Bar Mitzvah was my coup de gras, my moment in the sun!

It turns out that while I’m a marvelous party planner (if I do say so myself), I am a lousy party-goer.

I don’t enjoy parties. Small talk makes me nervous. Social events can feel like an ordeal. I never liked my birthday parties, and any event held in my honor was paralyzing. It might be better as I get older, but I’m not eager to find out!

You see, at my own gatherings, hovering in the kitchen and overseeing every detail was my get-out-of-jail-free card.

I’m a plan-and-execute specialist.

These days, as I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, life is simpler. The only parties I plan now are for my grands—and luckily, they don’t care if Nana doesn’t have much to say because she has lots of love and kisses.