The Dinner Party
On January 30 I went to a very good friend's home for dinner with her and her two daughters. 
The four of us always have a grand time together.
The four of us always have a grand time together.She lives a fair distance from my place so I always bike rather than walk. I climbed the stairs to her door and I could see through the glass in the door that there were lots of people there and they were all dressed up. There I was in jeans not to mention carrying a helmet and ugly safety vest. I was a little surprised but, too late now to worry about being under dressed. E came to the door gave me a hug and said, "We've got unexpected company, and they won't leave!" Her mom then came and swooped me into a hug and whispered, "Supper is going to be late."
It was too funny. My arrival did not even register on the unwanted guests. B kept making hints that it was time to leave but they completely ignored them. At one point one of the "guests" got up and poured herself and another a glass of wine. The look on B's face was absolutely priceless! That look alone was worth the price of admission.
Finally, they did in fact leave and we had a fantastic dinner as always. Both B and E are excellent cooks. Add that to lots of laughter and good wine and you can't help but have a great time. For some reason their youngest daughter S and I are considered not worthy to enter their kitchen. I don't know where this idea originated
that I cannot cook! It seems to be a rather widespread assumption. Hmm?
that I cannot cook! It seems to be a rather widespread assumption. Hmm? I had taken my camera because B always sets a marvelous table with her antiques and candles. This time around however since everything was kind of thrown out the window with the unexpected company the table was quickly cleared from their mess to our dinner on the fly.
So, what are some of your memorable unwanted or unexpected guests stories?
19 comments:
I forgot to tell you, I got a fondue set for Christmas. I'll have to check my house insurance before I invite you over for dinner ;)
That table looks lovely, nothing like good food and wine to make an evening. I can't think of many unwanted guests that I have had at my own house, but last Christmas, my parents had drop-in house guest for 4 days (right in the middle of boxing day and new years) and they brought their dogs. It was insane and my parents had to recarpet the entire house this fall because there dogs were not properly trained.
Allison, you brat! Have to check your house insurance before inviting me. How rude! lol
I cannot imagine dropping in on anyone with dogs no less for four days.
I join Toccata in my astonishment of the nerve of some people. Allison, your parents must be saints.
When we stilled lived in London, Jerry's parents were ALWAYS dropping in unexpectedly, which I hated, and then they expected us to come to their house every Sunday. That didn't last too long.
Oh wow, those photos made me homesick for my Mom's place. She sets a table just like that, and loves her antiques and candles!!!! Very nice.
Darn rude of the uninvited pests eh? Kind of funny though. I'm glad you had a good time! I can't remember the last time I sat down with friends and shared a nice bottle of wine. TOOOOO long!!
Ps EW to Allison's dog mess story. I think your parents would've been justified in sending them the bill!!!
Barbara, I would not want my inlaws just popping by unexpectedly. I'd be forever having to shove the unwashed dishes into the oven!
Mellowlee, it was funny. Mostly I got a real kick out of B trying to make them leave while they just merrily sat stuck in their chairs even though they were really only visiting amongst themselves and not with the actual house dwellers!
I think Allison's dog story takes the cake in guests from hell.
Hahaha, but I couldn't resist, could I? I'll just make sure the baking soda and salt are clearly labeled ;P
Yes, it was indeed house guess hell. Things have been strained with the couple ever since. My mom specifically waited until a day before new years to call them and see what they were up too. Therefore, they wouldn't have time to come in from Toronto. What I don't understand is people the have to bring their pets everywhere they go. I love my dog, it hurts us to put in her in the kennel when we have to leave for various trips. But its far better than putting out someone else.
Allison, one of my pet peeves are people that take their dogs to community events that are crazy crowded with people. One time during the Snowbirds a young child asked a lady if she could pet her dog. The lady said no, because he bites. I just thought what possessed you to bring a dog that bites to an event that 20,000 people are going to show up to? I can't imagine the dogs like being completely surrounded by strangers.
ok for all of you...Jake and I will jsut stay home...he is soooooo hurt
I agree I never saw the sense of taking jake to events like that...I think way to many stimuli for them. Jake is a really well behaved and trained dog, but I would still not take him, many people afraid of big dogs and I can't imagine its fun for him. I'm too concerned about...what if he pees on somebodys foot, what if another dog and he fight etc etc. I've even see people that take bull terriers and such to events with huge chains and collaars...pretty intimidating. JAke and I hit the beach and the forest trails quite regualrly, he gets lots of outings
Jake, I apologize. You can come over anytime you want. I might even let you bring Kelly providing you have him well trained!
Kelly, no doubt the beach and the forest trails is exactly where Jake would want to do his running. Does Jake like to swim in the ocean? How's his purple pony doing? I think it's purple it might be pink.
Beautiful photos!
Johnny Yen, thanks. The camera is my new toy and I am having a lot of fun with it. I find I take pictures of the most ridiculous things!
I would be taking photos of EVERYTHING hehe
Mellowlee, I pretty much have been. Sammy Jo practically rolls his eyes at me everytime he sees the darn thing!
Nice observations. Don't you hate people like that? I like the way you notice little annoying details and facial expressions. Ha. And the pictures are really sharp. I clicked on the second one and could almost read the type of wine. I have a neighbor that walks over (no fence) usually every day while I'm hitting the dog softballs.His annoyance to me is he only talks about himself and doesn't listen to anything I(we) say. And many times it is just at the exact time I'm trying to listen to something on the radio (a quick movie review between songs for example)- or even just a good song.(I always have to turn the radio on, even if it's freezing and I'm only out for 10 minutes) I'm way behind reading but will catch up with everyone.
Busterp, too bad about your annoying neighbour. Annoying neighbours are doubly difficult because you can't get away from them and you don't really want to start something because let's face it you have to coexist.
Ha, I laughed at the shoving the dishes in the oven trick...I thought I was the only one who did that.
We used to have people dropping by all the time....we were known for our love of sporting events and I'd always whip together a spread for a "game". Problem is, long after the game had ended "stragglers" never could take a hint and would hang around for hours. After yawning, hinting and do everything but turfing them out by the ear, we'd make up a story that would eventually force them to leave. Like, oh, I have to go for that blood test now for my very contagious viral infection. Something along that line.
Deb, my neighbours below me were telling me that on New Year's Eve they were trying to convince the last of the stragglers to go to no avail. Finally they just threw up their hands and said, "Look, we're going to bed." So they did and when they got up in the morning 3 of the stragglers were still there!
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