Well; RJ is basically Jon Snow, or that is what we like to call him (behind his back). He just recently completed the Iditarod. 1000 miles in the unforgiving cold and ice of Alaska. Most people are aware that this race happens with dogs, sleds and mushers. RJ did it with a fat bike, a bike designed to ride in snow. Very very few people enter this race and much fewer complete it. He did this in 16 days, like a BOSS. He trained for this for almost a year. Needless to say, us: his friends were following his progress anxiously and being as supportive as we could from our comfy warm beds and houses.
Sarah and I were planning a party. Taking all the things that are important to RJ into consideration. Friends, family, good food, wine, craft beer, conversation, killer esthetic, it all came together with a flourish. Firstly, the space, we were very priviledged to be able to use our friend Doug's wood working shop. You can see his work HERE. His space, usually a wood filled work shop transformed into a perfect party space, complete with two long tables for 16 people each. The wood everywhere glowed and filled the space with warm light and scents. Sarah ingeniously used low plants that she intended to plant out her garden space, for floral arrangements. Each little plant was tucked into a folded paper bag. It looked spectacular and really was the quintessential "re use" concept. Every place setting had hand stenciled initials on cardstock, that somehow related to the individual. Sarah made a linen wall hanging with a Tolkien quote about friends and good times. There was a craft beer tasting table, with tags for each person to write tasting notes. The table was loaded with craft beers and porters that reminded the giver of RJ somehow. The dessert table was full of all his favorite treats. Beet chocolate cake, lemon meringue pie, cardamon spice cake, artisan doughnuts, flourless chocolate cake w mascarpone whip and vegan chocolate mousse. As for the menu, we were limited by the lack of a kitchen or any way to heat up food. Everything had to be prepped and made elsewhere and brought in.
It didn't hamper us at all. Charcuterie platter with Sausages from the Original sausage man. Cheese hand selected for us by The Cheese Man in North Vancouver. Amazing bread from Nelson and the Seagull in Gastown. Various mustards, olives, honeycomb and fresh fruit. Rustic pork terrine made by me and a Goat cheese and beet parfait from Sarah rounded out the beginning. The meal was kept very simple. Apricot herb marinated chicken. Wild rice and quinoa salad with dried fruit and nuts. Roasted root vegetables with a maple glaze. Black kale salad with sunflower seeds, shredded golden beets and a apple cider viniagrette. Brussel sprouts with pork belly lardons. Brown rice and vegetable stuffed bell peppers to keep the non meat eaters happy. A huge spring salad with every fresh thing imaginable thrown in.
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| (Photo by Hamid Attie Photography) |
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