Pizza and Ribs for Supper

How does one entertain twenty-four strangers for dinner, nine of whom are under the age of six, shortly after relocating to a new country?  The answer to that question is that it really helps to have support from friends and neighbors, a wood-fired pizza truck, and a few tylenol pm.  Round that out with a spouse that takes the day off work to help prepare, a trip to the market with a local expert, a cupboard stocked with bubbles and glow sticks, and finally, appreciative guests---and it's really no trouble at all.

The pizza truck arrived around 4:15pm.  The fire had been burning for several hours already, sending mouth-watering aromas throughout the yard and into the house.  The owner of the truck estimated the temperature inside to be around 300 to 350 degrees Celsius.  She and her two assistants entertained us by allowing the kids to participate in making their own pizzas while we waited for our guests.  We discussed education, politics, and of course, football (comparing the U.S to Australia in all three arenas), all of which helped fend off my irrational fears of "What if no one shows up?" alternating with, "This evening will likely be a complete failure."

Earlier in the day, R and his ever-faithful sidekick washed all of the lower-level windows:

Plates, cutlery and tablecloths all borrowed from friends and neighbors:

 

Today we have been feasting on the leftovers, including the delicious chocolate cake brought by a guest.  The house has gradually returned to its normal state, and all children have gone to bed early in anticipation of the clocks springing ahead tonight.  I am thinking that it is really unfair that we have to lose an hour twice in one calendar year, but a gorgeous afternoon of basking in the warm sunshine on our patio has done much to reconcile me to the fact that the month of October has brought spring rather than autumn to our doorstep.

Comments

[Karin Smith]

I am so glad the dinner went well! everything looks like it was mouth-wateringly good. wish I could have shared the leftovers. :)

[Linsey Smith]

Wow, wish we had that kind of truck here. Amazing!!

[Nikki]

You are superwoman! Everything looked wonderful! I agree with Linsey, we definitely need one of those pizza trucks!