Monday, August 18, 2008 Reflections on Rein Fest... Saturday was the day of Rein Fest. Much preparation went into recreating the housewarming party of 2007. Last year, I did too much work. This year, I delegated. Last year, I had only been in my new home for just over a month. We scrambled to paint, built horseshoe pits, performed a variety of yard work and generally cleaned like mad. good wine = happiness I have to admit, I couldn't resist for long... ...there we are, giving it our first go. Host Bernie shows his stuff. Look, the ice looks like the Tetons. Accident? Hmmmm. Shuttlecock retrieval. Hey Paulie, what exactly is Bernie tryin' to say? Hey you, handsome devil. Get it, girls! The poison of choice was pomegranate (sp?) liquore. Tim has really developed his method, don't ya think? Me and Lisa workin' the troughs.... Lisa and Todd focus with no drip precision. Here, I was just trying to get a good photo of our affable host, but it was story time at the keg. A little bit of croquet is always good for the soul.
This year – well, we have done a lot to the house in a year, so really the preparation has occurred over a long period of time. But in recent days, we have planned the meal and focused on the challenge of feeding the masses.
Bernie got the corn, Danielle has been assigned watermelon, Jen and Sarah will bring corn salad, I have secured cornbread, cobbler, some kinda ocra based thing, and a visiting parent of a friend who has insisted on making black-eyed peas.
Oh, did I mention that we have themed the party this year? Southern food will be served at Rein Fest, 2008. For our part, it has been a whirlwind of list making and errand running on behalf of our chef, Jim. Jim lives next door – his is the only house we can really see or feel close to at all on our road – and luckily, we like each other. Further, the man is a master at BBQ.
On Wednesday, it was off to Sam’s Club in Idaho Falls to fulfill a list that consisted of ingredients for his rub and the sauce that will be used on 70 lbs. of pork butt roast. Pulled pork sandwiches, with a couple of dozen chicken thighs thrown in there for good measure, a powerful amount of coleslaw (Jim says, “to put on the pulled pork sandwiches” – now, that could only be southern), and a keg of Grand Teton Brewing Company beer will complete the Rein Fest meal.
Last year, we hosted at least 45 humans and 20 dogs – at the peak of the party. This year, it may or may not be the same amount of people; but I do know this – we know good people, and that is all that matters to me.
Saturday started early with our neighbor getting up at 6AM to start the smoker. This would put the meal on our table by 7PM. Between the morning and serving time, it was a whirlwind of phone calls, housecleaning, errand running, housecleaning, yard maintenance, housecleaning, more phone calls and just a bit of housecleaning. The payoff was huge.
Ultimately, no, we did not have 45 people in attendance like last year – but those that showed up (all 30+ of them) were great partygoers. They brought the food that was needed and then some. They brought instruments and played music. They were all of easy going manner and beaming smiles. I couldn’t have asked for a better crowd.
After the bonfire was built and the music (that I didn’t even plan on – thank you again, Dan and Nicki) was in full swing, the moon rose in the sky. It was yellow and just huge – a fitting and gorgeous addition to our festivities.
Thanks to all who attended – and if you didn’t make it, there is always next year!
You got to get up pretty early to beat Jim to the smoker...
Are there people coming over?
A Rein Fest first: Tim gets groomed on the deck.
Feedin' the masses
Clayton will find comfort in a food coma later...
More food! Give it!
Tim, Bernie and Mike
These guys played well into the evening.
Rein Fest makes everyone happy!
FOR MORE REIN FEST PHOTOS,
VISIT THE TETON CHRONICLES AT FLICKR!
July 3, 2008
One of the shops here in the valley that I don’t frequent enough is Alpine Wines. The name kind of gives it away, if you are wondering what they sell. This space on the east side of Main near the light at Bates is a great example of what the future of the Teton Valley could possibly be. I think most of the residents here hope that our little piece of paradise might have a fine selection of specialty shops some day – a tourist draw, but light on the cheese factor if you will.
Alpine Wines does not disappoint when it comes to selling a special commodity. We do have liquor stores, it is true. But AW filled the gap in the wine department with a great deal of quiet enthusiasm for what they sell.
I think I have been in this shop maybe four times prior to this event. Once for a tasting, once to buy wine and twice to speak to owner Mike Bowen about donating raffle items to the Teton Valley Foundation (which he did, and we are ever so grateful!). Of course by attending this particular tasting, I got all caught up on the reason why Alpine Wines is loved by many.
This was on display through the Teton Arts
Council - and I have to tell you:
I am lovin' it.
Wave to Tim!
More TAC gallery.
June 20, 2008
As the week ended and the sun continued to shine, we shared our enthusiasm for summer at Bernie's place.
Bernie threw a little "ode to the solstice" out at his pad, with great views of the Tetons, food, and company - not to mention the "ice sculpture" that provided all of us with a chance to whet our whistles, and perfect our drinking technique.
Ahhhh... a rudimentary ice drawing of the female form. Class-AY!
