We needed to meet.  We needed to be together, and there were major mission projects to discuss.

It was my month to host the meeting, and I was excited to have friends coming over.  There is nothing I enjoy more than planing a gathering for wonderful friends.

Table decorations:  

When I began planning, I knew I wanted to use my new wooden chargers.  On the breakfast table, a light gold tablecloth was put down with a burlap cloth “scrunched’ in the center.  Vintage blue and white Currier and Ives plates seemed to be a wintery choice.  The American Fostoria goblets are some my favorites.  In the center were mercury glass candle stands (with the rope candles), and a vintage oil lamp on a stone riser.

The dining room was more of the same plus.  It was good to use the slate coasters.  They gave another texture to the table.

We usually have a light supper before our meeting.  The weather has been warm (for February), and taco salads sounded like an easy good choice for our meal.  The shells were bought at Taco Bueno.  They were large (but delicious).  Next time I might just buy tostadoes.

The menu:

Shredded lettuce and cheese for the salad.

Taco meat.  I used 6 pounds of meat for the group of about twenty people (We had leftovers).  It looks greasy in this picture, but I promise you – the grease was drained from the meat.  I think this is mainly the tomato sauce.  Who knows?  That big spoon in the pot was slotted so people would not get too much juice – be it grease or sauce.

You will not be surprised to know that I did buy sour cream for the taco salads.  Did I remember to serve it?  Of course not.  It stayed happily in the refrigerator during the entire night.  I am a dork.  I bet I do not forget sour cream next time, but it will probably be something else.

Sauces and dips:

Queso.  This was the easy and faithful Velveeta and Rotel.  I used the new white Velveeta.  Interesting observation.  The white Velveeta does not harden as much when it cools as the original Velveeta.  Of course, it is better heated.

Pico de gallo.  Fresh onions, tomatoes, cilantro, jalepenos, and lime juice are all you need to make this family favorite.  Well, really you also need salt and pepper, but…  True confession here:  I was in a hurry and chopped the onions in the food processor.  I like it better when the onions are chopped by hand.

Guacamole.  This is so easy.  Add some pico de gallo (Yes, the pico you just made.) to the fresh avocados and you have guacamole.  So good and so easy.

Mango salsa.  I could eat this every day.  It is delicious.  I like it.  I love it.  Again, this is too easy.  Throw another couple of spoonfulls of the pico de gallo into the diced mangos, and you have mango salsa.  Yummy!

Picante sauce.  The nice man from Taco Bueno gave me this picante sauce.  It is their regular, but it has some heat.

Green salsa.  This was a new recipe for me.  It is slightly sweet with heat that slowly creeps up on you.  You use the tomitillos as a base for this salsa.

For dessert we had: Million Dollar Pound Cake, fresh berries and whipped cream.  Sweet Mother of Pearl.  I love the crust on this cake.  Million Dollar Pound Cake is a recipe I have had for a bazillion years.

I promise I will share the recipe soon.  Delicious!

The best part of the night was being with friends.  We discussed our projects – Buckner, Valley Missions, and the meals we will take to Mercy Street Mission.  We all are running the race to the goal of being more Christlike.  What a joy to be associated with fellow Christians, but we are also striving to be “in the world”.

Blessings to you and yours,

Funniest quote of the night.  The lady who does my nails asked me about Jesus having two names – Jesus Christ.  Without pausing, Ann said, “Well, it’s because he’s from West Texas.”  We all laughed.