Much of today was spent preparing for an intergenerational holiday party for the friends of our kids and their families. Jeanine cooked up a storm while the kids and I were assigned various tasks to get the house ready.  The menu included lobster bisque, shrimp cocktails, gravalax (Swedish cured salmon), skewered tortellinis, Calabria meatballs with lingonberries, cranberry and pear topped puff pastry encrusted brie, pigs-in-a-blanket, and chocolate fondue.

As if this was not enough to eat, Maya was quite adamant that we introduce her friends to Zeppole Balls.  She supervised dough preparation and took our new deep fryer machine on its maiden voyage with perfect results.  I was in charge of honey basting, sprinkle application, and extensive quality control taste testing.  Something special happens when you have a party with people of many ages who all share something in common; they engage with one another.  Maya announced afterwards that this party was to become a new annual tradition.