convivial
\kuhn-VIV-ee-uhl\, adjective:
Relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company; merry; festive.
there were mussels. shrimp. artichokes. eggplant bruschetta. zucchini soup. ribs (my FAVORITE). pureed fruit drowned in champagne...
and those were the appetizers. THEN there was dinner (beef, calamari, stuffed shells, sausage, asparagus salad, rice...). believe it or not, i was actually able to partake in the lemon/raspberry parfaits, the apple tart, and the strawberry shortcake for dessert. I had to turn down the coffee, though. One can only stretch so far.
i love love love natalie's family, especially when mary and leslie are cooking. how great is it to walk into the house, only to be scolded by nat's grandpa that i had a lot of catching up to do! take whatever idea you may have about a big italian dinner, and transport yourself to last night's festivities. i felt sorry for some of nat's friends who didn't know what they were getting into! it's all about the pacing, folks.