WELL....... WE DID IT!!!!

We got through our fist event! Thanks to my wonderful friends and husband. Thank you, Brian, Richard, Curtis, Lauren, Craigie and my son Matt, for all you did. I could not have pulled this off without you all.

Bit of the kitchen on Thursday or Friday? It's all such a blur now. Potatoes for my smoked paprika roasted potatoes.

Outside on Thursday.

I know this is Thursday  because the triscuit's Terry and Stuart had to eat for dinner on Wednesday  are on the counter. Stuart is our web code writer, who was here working in the studio, of all things, where I needed to rehearse!!! Again, "Diva" what the hell is that?!?!!! Terry did take him out and had him work in the house, but....... he kept coming in the studio looking for something!!!! Again, "Diva"? NOT! I just needed about and hour in the studio so I could rehearse one last time, before I was completely exhausted! I thought Diva's were always thought of first? Not so much around here.

Friday we are finally figuring out where the tables are going to  go.

Wow, what a mess!

Curtis trying to figure out how to do my backdrop.

I'm missing pictures of Richard and Brian  on Saturday, doing all of their hard work,  getting the patio finished and looking pretty. We were just so busy that I didn't have time to pull the camera out and take pictures. I do believe I thought about it.

Curtis and his beautiful smile, after working on his feet  for hours at Starbucks.

Curtis and Lauren in deep discussion over the backdrop.

My honey working on my sound.

Me taking a quick break from the kitchen to look at back drop and to take a picture.

Side patio still under preparation.

Lauren and Curtis sampling my take on a Spanish Tortilla, nummer!

Annie & Curtis in the kitchen. Curtis cooking the shrimp for the Gazpacho . Who know 's what the hell Annie is saying something very funny I am sure.

Two of my very bestest friends! Annie is my partner, in what Terry's calls "debauchery". It's a good thing she didn't stay the night or Terry would have had no sleep and I would have been more trashed then I was on Sunday. I am pretty sure, I would not have had a voice left. More than likely, we would have stayed up most of the night! When Terry kicked the last of the our guests out, she and I were just beginning to take off! As we say "let the cackling begin! When we take off, there is not much stopping us. It is funny whenever I am on the phone with Annie, Wayne in the front house always says, "where you on the phone with Annie last night? He can hear me laughing clear in his house!
Curtis is always there for me, when I need him. I can't believe he worked all day then came here and worked all night. Like he said "I'm going from one plantation to another", haha. I think he then had to sing at church the next morning. I love you both, my crazy and very talented  friends.

 I don't have many pictures that I took of the party. Here are few random ones. I have more that Terry and our friend Dax took. Along with Video. I'll be posting those as soon as I get them.

Jeffy with his Sangria. He loves foo foo drinks.

Pictures Brian tried to take of me singing, until he got frustrated and put the camera up. There will be better ones.

Terry & Lulu in bed after we finally got everyone out and a few things cleaned up, about 1:30AM.  Me on the other hand, I still had some more cleaning up to do. Then I needed to just watch some Food Network & drink some wine & unwind a bit. I got to bed about 2:30AM.

More shots of people and me singing.

OK, 24 Hour Restaurant Battle producers, I wasn't kidding when I said  "I do it all"! I just need a little help from my friends.....

All in all, it turned out great. We had some glitches with my sound that threw off my singing a bit. And of course, after no sleep for I don't know how many days and working non stop from 6 in the morning then going on to perform at 9PM my voice was not exactly where I would have liked it. When do I ever get to be "The Diva"?
Again, thank you, thank you, thank you to all of my beautiful & wonderful friends and family. I love you all very, very much! OK, let's start planning the next event!!!!

Afraid I'm not going to make any more or less sense than normal!

I don't want to bombard people, but feel I should write daily and I missed yesterday.
I'm very tired since I started working out today and then worked in the garden for about 4 hours.
I also tried to do way toooo much again yesterday! That is how it goes, if you want to get things going.
Anyway, I'm gonna keep it short. Besides working out and doing a bit in the yard yesterday, Wayne and I started working in my songs for my Secret Garden, Open House. There are so many songs I want to do, but I do have to remind myself the event is a few weeks away. Once again, I get carried away because there are so many new songs I'd love to do!

Back to food. Yesterday I decided to try to make a veggie lasagna with all of my zucchini and eggplant. We also had a lamb roast.

 We had Joakim, Tommy and Trevor over. Joakim comes over at least once a week for dinner (since he lives right next door), but we haven't seen Tommy and Trevor in quite some time.

Trevor giving his funny and personal sermon.

We met Trevor at Mirabelle on Sunset Boulevard in hollywood I'd say, at least 12 years ago. He was a waiter there and we became fast friends. When Terry and I were there on a Christmas Eve he invited us to a party at he and Tommy's house and we have all been friends ever since. Trevor is now a waiter at The Capital Grille Los Angeles . If you want a great meal and great service go to Capital Grille and be sure to ask for Trevor for the best service you will ever experience! Trevor also married Terry and I. Trevor is also and avid gardener like me.

Tommy creating my beautiful bouquet.

Tommy is a hairdresser to the stars on movie set and also does my hair and make up (didn't he do good at the wedding?) They both helped is so many ways with the wedding I will always be thankful and so touched by all they did for us. They are truly creative and wonderful friends that we cherish and don't take the time to see enough.

Lonely Lasagna on plate.

Veggie Lasagna and Salad 

The Lasagna turned out a bit soupy but not on the plate just in the dish. I think I need to salt and get the water out of the zucchini next time. Everyone loved it though and we are eating it again tonight!

Gotta go practice! Have a great night everyone!