Going Underground

Ever since I first heard about the idea of underground dining, I've been intrigued.  I've thought that the mystery of an unknown guest list, coupled with the element of a surprise menu, would combine for a memorable evening.

Back in the dead of winter, the idea of incorporating an underground dining experience into Irving's annual silent auction was born.  It's Mel's last year at Irving, and she wanted to give back in a big way.  She decided to donate an underground dining experience for 50.  Those of us who quickly hit "reply" were lucky enough to get in.  We were told to save Friday, May 20th for the event, and that more information would be forthcoming.

I don't think I'm overstating at all when I say that this event has been the most anticipated Irving event in at least the past decade.  Speculation about the guest list, the venue, and the food was the talk of the parents for months.  I must admit I made it my mission to figure out as much of the guest list as I could.  I feel slightly smug that I had about a third of the list pegged down before tonight's event.

Mel truly outdid herself this evening, preparing and serving over 900 bite-sized portions of food that was as tasty as it was beautiful.  You can see Mel's view of the evening here; these are my favorite shots of the night:

Thanks, Mel, for putting your heart and soul into Irving for the past nine years!

Modern-Day Quilting Bee - 2011

I've mentioned before how I think our Staff Appreciation Committee's work night on the eve of the annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon resembles a quilting bee, and tonight that vibe was alive and well.  This sign greeted each of us as we entered Mel's house and took on a project:

Once again, Mel's house was jam-packed with hard-working ladies focused on prep work.  Her house looked something like this:  chopping, slicing and dicing in the kitchen as stuffing came together; peeling, coring and slicing apples, along with rolling out dough in the dining room as homemade apple pies were assembled; art and craft projects galore spread all over the living room as retro-looking garland was strung, thank-you letters were sorted and alphabetized as the party favors were organized, and 160 napkins were folded on the coffee table.

Yes, we were busy, but truly, many hands make light work, and a good time was had by all.

Here's what we're looking forward to tomorrow:

Give Thanks:   The Menu

Cream of Pumpkin Soup with Cinnamon Crouton

Traditional Brined Turkey

Fig and Orange Glazed Ham

Wild Rice, Sweet Potato, and Cranberry Stuffed Onion with Orange Balsamic Sauce

Sausage, Apple and Dried Cranberry Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Cranberries with Pears and Fresh Ginger

Arugula Salad with Pepita Brittle, Blue Cheese, and Orange

Fresh and Updated Green Bean Casserole

Roasted Beets with Dill Dressing

Corn Maque Choux

Skillet Cornbread & Challah Rolls

White Chocolate Cheesecake with Blueberry Swirl

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Apple Pie

Sparkling Cider

Coffee

Four Square Continues

I mentioned before about the boys at Irving playing four square.  I'm so glad they've continued this before-school ritual and I must admit I'm completely fascinated by it.  This game is a study in the diversity of Oak Park.  Here's why:

*The players are different ages (students from second grade thru fifth grade participate)

*The game transcends gender (yea, there's girls who play, and they're pretty good)

*It's an integrated game (at a glance, it's easy to see at least four races represented)

*The game is self-governed by the players, and tough calls are handled by a simple vote (If you think Charlie's out, raise your hand...Charlie, majority rules, you're out!)

Honestly, this morning ritual at Irving is ripe for study by a sociologist in need of a thesis!

Back to School Party

Tonight Irving School sponsored its annual Back to School party at Barrie Park.  We partnered with the Southeast Oak Park Community Organization (SEOPCO), who brought us fire dancers and the movie Space Jam.

The mood was festive, the pizza was plentiful (I helped sell 85 full pizzas, 1 slice at a time), and the fire dancers simply enchanting.  Have I mentioned lately how much I love my neighborhood?  Thanks, Irving PTO and SEOPCO!

Share and Share Alike

Today was Irving School's W.O.R.M. (Work On Reading in the Morning) Club breakfast. Between last night and this morning, I made three coffee cakes to take for the breakfast. I got to school at 6:30 this morning to help set up. We had plenty of food to go around, and there was an entire coffee cake plus a little more left over at the end of the breakfast.  I divvied up the coffee cake among the volunteers who stayed to help with clean up.

I don't mean to brag, but this coffee cake is really, really good, and I truly enjoy sharing it with others.  SB wrote on my Facebook wall early this afternoon, "I am enjoying coffee cake for lunch...thanks to you for such a yummy treat!!"

And speaking of sharing, Erin babysits for the Rapp. family, and L makes fresh Challah bread every Friday.  She brought it to one of the school functions last fall, and it was so good I just about melted when I took that first bite.  I told her later, "You can pay Erin in Challah!"

So it was with great surprise and delight that I accepted a loaf of fresh Challah from L at pick up this afternoon!  And when I mean fresh, I mean it was still piping hot when she handed it to me.  What a special gift!  I asked her if I needed to wait until sundown to slice into it, and she assured me since I'm not Jewish, it was fine to take it home and dive in.

It was such fun to share my coffee cake this morning, and it was even more fun to get the Challah this afternoon.  In this case, I think it was more blessed to receive, than to give.