(Outdoor) Concert

Well, it was supposed to be. On Saturday, Cissi and I had great plans to go to Claytor Lake (partly to test out my new water-proof camera) and then to a concert in the back garden on one of her friends house. However the weather had other plans and it rained so much I had a lake in my parking lot. Why travel when you can just step outside?

We ended up going to a wine tasting at the Vintage Cellar where I got a very nice Albarino from the distributor. I know I have more than enough wine but they only made 500 cases of this bottle so I wouldn't be able to get it again.

Then we headed to the concert. Due to the rain, it was moved to the church basement. The music was not exactly to my taste, a little too religious for me, but I have a great time playing with my camera. Cissi showed me some of the setting I didn't even realize it had before despite having it for years now - I am taking a photography course soon!  And there were some beautiful faces and gorgeous kids.

As you can see, I love the sepia setting!
There were 3 different "groups", a duo, a sole male and a younger boy, who I liked the best. He voice was a base and very cool. (Plus he sang the only 2 songs I knew in the evening!)
It was a potluck dinner, with everyone bring a dish. Cissi and I were probably the least creative, grabbing a couple of bags of Doritos from Kroger before we went. But as thankfully everyone else was more creative, the food was amazing. And as most of the group were Chinese (from the Church and Bible groups), it was definitely the best Chinese food I have ever had.

Food queue.

Loaded plate

And yes, the thing on top of the beans is a chicken's foot. I had to try it! I am not sure I would have it again in a hurry. The flavor was fine - it was soaked and cooked in some spices - but the texture was odd and it's very fiddly with little meat. But I had to try it.
It was a fun afternoon. Though as I was leaving someone tried to talk to me about cosmology, starting the conversation with "the problem I have with atheists is..." Not the best start but hey, I was in their church! 

Wine party

Last Friday night I had a party at mine for some of the people I have meet here. The main reason, other than it's fin is I have way too much wine. I am part of a wine club here and get a case of 12 bottles every 3 months, and my latest case got delivered recently. I had also brought a few groupon vouchers for money off wine ages ago when I first got here which were due to run out. So I ordered the wine. No point is wasting it.
When it all arrived I decided to have a party, and save my liver and kidneys. I supplied the wine and other people brought the food. Some of my friends were only too happy to help me make a dent in my collection. :-)
The ones who showed up were from the regular wine tasting I go to every few weeks.

Ready. I think

Chatting

"Have a pepper"

We ended up with loads of food (as some didn't show up and I had made some food for them). So I have had plenty of food for the week!

Part of the table

We didn't drink all these bottles!  Or eat all the salad.

Cissi's artistic veggie master piece.

My famous Malteaser cake (which disappeared quickly)

 It was a great night, sitting around chatting and drinking wine. We got through 3 bottles of red and about 1 and half white. So I still have quite a few bottles left. Maybe I should have another party....