You're not my boss!

2nd August 2013

We decided we’d hold a small party to say thank you to the staff and the people specifically allocated to look after the minister and the parsonage. Fortunately everyone (except the Associate Pastor and her husband) were able to come at short notice.

It was the first time many had been in the parsonage. It is certainly an ideal party house as it flows so well. And it was lovely to see the entire house being used as for the most part we’ve confined ourselves to the kitchen, dining room and a room we call the family room.

We’d decided we’d try and put on a British summer diner party. So the menu consisted of Coronation Chicken, Delia Smith’s Marmalade Bread and Butter Pudding, Eton Mess and Mary Berry’s Lemon & Lime Cheesecake. (OK, maybe cheesecake isn’t British per se, but Mary Berry is. And if you’re going to be picky there was Greek salad – in honour of Prince Philip aka Phil the Greek.)

All the food was a big hit, with people wanting to know the recipes. So here are links American friends:

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/type-of-dish/sweet/chunky-marmalade-bread-and-butter-pudding.html

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2011/apr/28/cook-perfect-coronation-chicken-royal-wedding

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-2335807/Mary-Berry-Special-Part-Two-Lemon-lime-cheesecake.html

One family brought along some games including a card game that I can only describe as Connect 4 but with cards. (And in fact you have to get 5 in a row.)

The game consists of a board with the cards from 2 packs of cards on it, expect for Jacks. The Jacks are played in specific ways. It was great fun.

As Anne and I were playing this game, two of the ladies whizzed round and tidied up the kitchen and dining room. You can tell they are chapel trained as my mum would say!

I think I’ve mentioned previously, but here people go out to dinner early and home early which we’ve found different to home. We’d followed the convention (especially as there were a few young children) and invited everyone over for 6.30pm. Sure enough come 9pm ish people started to leave. But as we were engrossed in the game with our friends they stayed on.

We progressed to playing Uno later. And at one point the Youth Director having helped me out with a specific card said “Well, you’re still my boss for 48 hours.” A couple of rounds later, her daughter played a card which meant I had to pick up four “You’re not my boss” she said. Bright kid!

A great evening. We always enjoy hosting parties but this one was special for the people gathered with us this evening have been so instrumental in making us welcome. It was good to show them hospitality in return.