Halloween Weekend with Friends

I had been a little anxious all week, awaiting our friends’ arrival for Halloween weekend. They were scheduled to arrive on Friday night from New York, and knowing all that could go wrong I prayed extra hard to get them here. Thankfully it all worked out, even the car rental. Kent, Mike the dog, Jen and Ted all managed to coordinate their schedules and pile in the rental car to make the quick trip (once out of the Holland Tunnel) to our abode in Bucks County.

A few phone calls reassuring them that yes, they were still on the right road and at around 8 pm they pulled into our driveway. I guided them in with a flashlight at the edge of our driveway, since it gets pretty dark out here in the country! Kent jumped out of the car ran around to let Mike out. Apparently Mike farted the entire journey, making it pretty intolerable to say the least.



After everyone settled in and Mike was introduced to our pack of dogs, it was time for cocktails. Both fires were going and steaks were marinating to be grilled later on the big open fire in our kitchen. I made a reduction of pomegranate juice, balsamic vinegar brown sugar, beef stock, juniper berries, sage, rosemary, onion, garlic, and marjoram to accompany the beef. Along with some pasta tossed with kale that David had prepared. My first attempt at making this sauce resulted in a kitchen filled with smoke. Note to self: don’t take a shower while reducing sauces! Going by reactions around the table it was safe to say the sauce was a hit. There was even talk of bottling and selling it. Dean and Deluca here I come!



The rest of the evening was spent relaxing, having great conversation sipping wine and cocktails.



Saturday we all rose early, David had to work so Jen Ted and I hit the road to peruse local antique stores and also pick up my wooden drying rack I scored at a thrift store for 12 dollars. Kent and Mike stayed at the house and held down the fort. The drive took us up scenic Geigel Hill road into Ottsville. We were a bit ahead of schedule so I just drove them around and wound our way down River Road along the Delaware River. We stopped at Milford to stock up on wine and vodka. At that time stores were open so we headed back up River Road and stopped at the first antique store. I forewarned my friends that the guy here likes to talk and usually doesn’t make much sense. Jen quickly found this out, when he tried to strike up a conversation about a stray cat and his wife being out of it. No clue what the hell he was talking about. I did find a great painting, but he wanted too much money for it, so I took a picture of it instead.

Ted did manage to have conversation with him, much to Jen and mine’s delight. We sat in the car and giggled at the site, 2 flakes engrossed in conversation! This was also the start of our new game of the day, wait for Ted! Our next stop was an old mill turned into a consignment antique store. 3 floors of stuff, Jen bought some old glass insulators, and there we were again, waiting for Ted!

Next it was time to pick up my rack, we browsed a little and yes you guessed it, we waited for Ted (although this time he was buying some cute hats for our dogs to keep their hair back). So the waiting was worth it……



It was lunchtime and we were hungry. Ted had a hankering for beef jerky and pastries (I don’t know) I suggested we should drive to New Hope to C’est La Vie bakery, but instead we settled on driving back to Milford to the Ship’s Inn for some good old English Pub grub, shepherd’s pie and fish and chips. Along with some of their homemade brew! Ted had a hot toddy, very fitting indeed :) after lunch Ted went to the bathroom for what seemed an excessive amount of time, and Jen commented that he took more time then girls. Upon his return, he said “that wall is really interesting” Jen and I cracked up, in his defense he was referring to the history of the place displayed on a wall on the way to the bathroom. A quick jaunt into another antique store, then some dessert buying at Lovin Oven, and we returned back to the house.



Once back I noticed the back door and kitchen window wide open. Kent had attempted to relight the fire but had some trouble with it. There was lighter fluid involved, a house filled with smoke, and freaked out dogs hiding upstairs. Toby had the crap scared out of him, literally! I went into Jen’s room and found some dog doo doo on the white shag carpet of course! Kent claimed that the wood was wet and that was why he couldn’t get it going. Yeah ok city boy! Anyway, some soapy water got it all cleaned up and some newspaper got the fire going.

Our afternoon was spent eating coffee cake drinking chardonnay and napping. We had a big night ahead of us, Halloween! After David got home from work it was time to get ready, make up, lights, camera and ACTION. The pictures speak for themselves!

David Ted (who was not in costume :)) and I left for lambertville, while Jen and Kent stayed at home. I left specific instructions as to how to keep the fire going, and hid the lighter fluid. Lambertville goes all out for Halloween; it’s a small intimate town in New Jersey just across the Delaware River from New Hope, Pa. People decorate their homes and are generous in opening them up to trick or treaters. We stopped at Craig and Kevin’s house and walked to the Boat House bar, with Lisa and Billy owners of Boxwood Flowers. On our way there David got a lot of attention with his outfit. He played the part so well, every now and then this moan would escape from his mouth followed by the statement, “Im a lady!” Walking down the ally towards the bar we passed a restaurant, where David stopped in front of one the windows pretending to fix his hair, much to the dining guests’ delight!

After spending some time at the bar we met up with Craig and Kevin in their costumes and headed to Diana’s restaurant, a popular gathering place on Halloween night. Again David was a huge hit, with people wanting their picture taken with him. I ran into another red riding hood, I think she looked better than me. Someone asked Ted if he was Indiana Jones, it must have been the sunglasses…….

Our last stop for the night was the Nevermore, gay nightclub. What a scary scene, 40 something year olds in muscle t-shirts, drag queens coked up doing catwalks and spinning around on the floor, and sucky music like “party in the USA” Ted noted that their was no dj to be found, suggesting they just had an iPod playing random songs. I did manage to dance a little 



We got home around 1.30 am, the house still standing. Jen had gone to bed, Kent was nursing a cocktail, filled us in on the night. Apparently as soon as we left Milton showed his true colors and became mean towards Mike. He has a personal space issue and lets you know when you get to close. Oh and there was a frog that leaped into the kitchen from the back door and almost jumped into the fire.



Ted fell a sleep on the sofa with hat on, the rest of us slowly nodded off one by one.

Sunday was brunch day!. I made a frittata and Kent made his famous honey pepper bacon. This was not without its usual stress for Kent. The oven wasn’t hot enough, grease everywhere, the sheet pan wasn’t right, I was in the way, I’m messy blah blab blah, I think he burned himself a few times due to excessive shaking. We concluded this would make great TV for bravo! With mimosas in hand we devoured our culinary delights.

This was followed by a walk down the tow path to Stover Farm House, where we gathered black walnuts and nettles for soup. I just love moments like that, it was a perfect time in space, walking with dear friends, enjoying the fall colors and gathering what nature gives us. It can’t get any better than that.

Soon after our return it was time to say goodbye, a good weekend was had by all, I was sad to see them go, but take comfort knowing they’re not to far away and we will see each other soon again!