FOOD "CHICAGO STYLE"
Sunday December 16, 2012 755 amLast evening all of us went to another Christmas party hosted by Brian and Missy. This was the first one, of our annual Christmas parties, we have had in the past 16 years that all of us didn't go to Actor's Theater to see A Christmas Carol. With 13 grandchildren (and counting) the logistics of finding someone to watch all of the grandchildren who are still not old enough to go to the play had become increasingly more difficult. At least, without splitting some of the kiddos up and none of the moms wanted to do that (:
In spite of that, the parties always go very well. Brian and Missy always host theme parties and for this one they had as their theme Chicago style foods. There is a very famous deep-dish pizzeria on Chicago's north side, Lou Malnati's. Malnati's will ship their pizza anywhere in the world. So, Brian and Missy had several pizzas flown in from there for their party.
I had 2 slices of their veggie deep dish. That particular pizza is pictured in the front row and far right... it was very good, and topped with a lot of cheese! Chicago is especially known for two particular foods: deep dish pizza and their Chicago dogs. So, I had an authentic "Chicago dog." Well, at least as authentic as one can be when mine was a "veggie" hot dog. At least my toppings were authentic: relish, mustard, onions, hot peppers, tomato, and topped with celery salt. Keep in mind, in order to have an authentic Chicago dog the toppings not only have to be what I listed... it is also important to put them on the bun in a specific order. lol
Whenever I have traveled in the past one of the fun things I have always done is to try and find some food (or drink... but that's another story...lol) that the particular city or state I am in is known for? If you do this as well and if you have ever tried to order a Chicago dog from a street vendor you will see that they do not even carry on their cart other condiments: even ketchup is taboo.
Traditionally, every year Missy and Brian also have a contest where everyone makes something that is chosen beforehand by Missy and Brian and they bring it in to be judged... and prizes are awarded. In the past they have had Christmas wreaths, (the one that won that year was a "redneck wreath" made from an inflated automobile inner-tube and it had empty beer cans, a couple of little plastic John Deere tractors, and many other things glued to it) stockings, ornaments, bells, Ginger bread houses, snowmen, etc. This year it was a manger. The picture that follows was just a couple of the entries.
I particularly liked Missy's. She used a sand theme (with sand) and rocks, etc, to illustrate the manger at Bethlehem. Hers is setting behind another one.
There were also a few entries that were uploaded and shown on television. I think Steph, Tammy, and Brian did theirs that way? The one that ended up winning last night was one that Brian did. He used their three oldest girls and dressed them up and recorded them searching for the Christ-child. It was funny and well done. I asked him if he was going to post it on FB? If it is posted it is worth seeing and very cute.
I attempted to take a picture with several of the little ones in front of the t.v. watching the different entries. Naturally, I couldn't get everyone in. Brian and a few of the kids was all that I could get. And there is glare from the t.v. making it impossible to see what was being shown.
We also were split up into teams and there was a card tournament. We played a game I had not played before. The card game is called, Kemps. But, for the night Brian changed it to "Scrooge." So, cries of "Scrooge" and "No Scrooge" was ringing out from their dining room. It was fun and funny. Although I played, the part I enjoyed most was between matches watching other players giving and trying to read their partners, and the other players "signs." That part of it was absolutely hysterical!!! Scratching, big eyes, nods, table drumming, ear pulling, etc. were just some of the nonverbal signs I saw being used... it was really funny stuff!
All-in-all it was another good party and very enjoyable.
I hope all who reads this has a great day!!!
posted by Robin Johnson @ 7:55 AM
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