It was Barbara’s birthday and a group of us had planned to go out to dinner at Bastille to celebrate. I thought it would be fun to have the group over for cocktails before we went to the restaurant.

I, as per usual, pulled out all the stops to prepare the cocktail party. I went to the ABC store (state liquor store) for gin as I know Tom and Marion would want martinis. I went to the Safeway and got limes and lemons as I wanted to have Tom Collins as it is a refreshing summer cocktail. I squeezed the lemons and limes. The limes were in case we wanted to be more creative and make Gimlets. We ended up having Tom Collins and martinis.

I realized when setting up the bar that I have a great variety and number of liquors which is interesting as I do not really drink cocktails unless I go to Tom and Marion’s house or am out. Tom is a great and creative bartender so he makes fun drinks.

Having a family tree that is shrinking rather than growing, I have inherited a great deal of glassware, silver and other fun things. I try to use all of it as I feel there is no point having these type of things if I do not use them. They do make it fun for cocktail parties and other entertaining. I love the small cocktail glasses (Nick and Noras) that my parents received as a wedding gift. That means that they are 74 years old. Some of the silver used was a gift to my great-great grandparents for their 50th Wedding Anniversary which was in 1911.

We had dinner at Bastille, a French restaurant, in Alexandria. Being spoiled, the food was good but not as good as the restaurants in Toulouse. I had pate but it was not Foie Gras. Foie Gras is frowned upon in the United States. For my entree, I had moules a la Provençale. They were very good. The baguette was not as good as France but I have adjusted to that and have reverted to not eating a great deal of bread. All of us commented on the fact that some of the appetizers and entrees were huge portions which is typical of the United States versus France.

We had a nice Corbière wine with dinner. I picked it because Corbière is close to Toulouse and I like the Grenache, Syrah blend of the wine. It was good. It was probably better with the duck and steak frites rather than the Moules but it was a nice choice.

All in all it was a fun evening.

Tom being silly.