Shabbatin' and Shalomin'

Shabbat is always something more in the midst of community.  I love alone-time with my family. Don't get me wrong.  It is just that when there are others around, it makes it all that much better.  Even just one family -- and even lots of families -- help to make Shabbat feel special. 

This past Shabbat (two hours ago!) was nice.  Rob and I cooperated on making a delicious and visually pleasing dinner-on-the-fly Friday night.  We made papperdelle noodles with portebella mushrooms and butternut squash, red and yellow grape tomatoes with mozzarella balls in a balsamic marinade, marinated and grilled baby eggplant, cumin-spiced steamed carrots, sliced avocado, and Melba-like toast rounds with a garlic Boursin spread and sprinkled with crushed pistachios.  We made cranberry muffins (low in sugar) for dessert.  Unlike our usual dinner preparations that are pre-thought-out, our evening was stress-free, fun and creative (at least on the presentation side). 

We drank a delicious wine given to us by some friends at a previous Shabbat dinner.  It was a 2005 Yiron by Galil Mountain.  It is the best kosher wine I have EVER had.  The grapes are 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 3% Syrah.  It was aged for 16 months in small French oak barrels.  It has a rich black cherry nose with notes of dried herbs, vanilla and oak.  Simply delicious!

Even though we forgot to play Jenga, we have a great night with friends.  The kids had a lovely time.  Alia ended up getting to have someone spend the night.  Chandler was off spending all of Shabbat with an NCSY friend.  Even the dogs were semi-calm!

If only every Shabbat!