Friends for Dinner

I'm having friends over for dinner on Saturday night, and I'm so looking forward to it! I've been thinking about what to make, what to wear, and all the things I have to do to get the house ready before the big night. Much to my chagrin, my house is not perfectly ready for guests at the moment. I'm beginning to think that is never going to be a reality. Between my son's toys, the never ending laundry pile, and dishes galore, it's never as clean as I want it to be. It seems like no matter how much I do in a day, there's always more to do...not that I'm complaining. Though my back hurts like a 95 year old woman and I spend hours on end feeding, diapering, clothing, and chasing my little man, I remain convinced I have the best job in the world.

As I mull over the menu possibilities for Saturday, I feel torn. It would be fun to do a 50's menu from Thoughts for Food; there's a whole section of menus called "Friends for Dinner." Perfect, right? That's what I thought. Upon further investigation, I am reconsidering how fun that would actually be. Let me give you an example of one such menu, from p. 215.

Baked Shad and Roe

Dill Cucumber Melba Toast

Chicken Florentine

Strawberry Compote

Macaroon Souffle

Coffee

First of all, I'm beginning to understand why they ended every meal with coffee in the 1950's...they were exhausted from all the cooking! My goodness, I can't even imagine how many hours I would spend in the kitchen if I were to attempt this. So the question remains...should I attempt this? The way I see it, I have two options. Entertain appropriately for an evening with friends in 2011, with the style and grace of a 1950's hostess. Or make a ridiculously complicated menu of ridiculously hard to find foods (Shad? As in Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego?! I'm guessing probably not).

I'm not trying to make excuses here...I know this is a blog about me trying to emulate a 1950's style homemaker. It's just that it's turning out to be...so...much...harder than I thought! I mean, I cleaned, went to the grocery store, made dinner, and baked a pie today, thank you very much! Not to mention I did everything necessary to keep a ten month old alive too. But there's still toys out and dishes in the sink...and it's almost 10:00 pm! June...I'm beginning to think you weren't completely honest with everyone...reveal your weakness! Tell me I'm not alone!

Alright, enough of my ranting. I'm definitely leaning toward a simple, fun meal for Saturday night. Something Italian with Limoncello as an after dinner drink, perhaps? That's as far as I can take the 1950's dinner customs for now, I'm afraid. Well, that and offering coffee after dinner as well. God knows I'll be needing a cup!