Vivian and I both took Friday off to reserve more time preparing for the event. We went nuts at Costco, and topped two shopping carts with food and supplies. Back at home, Vivian whipped out Deviled Eggs, Smoked Salmon and Sea Food dips from the kitchen for appetizers, and I marinated pounds and pounds of meat and chopped up bags and bags of veggies.

Close to 50 friends, colleagues and neighbors came by last Saturday afternoon. Vivian was busy running up and down the stairs giving tours to our guests; I was on the grill details, occasionally zigzagged through the crowd and held brief conversations with our guests. The weather was great with not a cloud in sight, which helped turning the outdoor patio into guests’ favorite place to have a burger, a beer and a nice conversation with old/new friends. (More...)