Ikea isn't just for bookshelves...

Last night, Rena and I christened the kitchen by having a dinner party. I am proud to say our tandem entertaining skills bode well for a long happy future together as roommates!

The idea of a dinner party started because Kevin was in town for a visit on his way home from Bregenz, and we wanted to do something festive before he left for the USA today (by the way, Kevin, we miss you already). Of course, it did briefly occur to us that we have been in Basel for five minutes and might have trouble finding people to invite...

So, Rena asked her two friends and I asked two new acquaintences and Voila! Instant party of 7. Normally, I don't like odd numbers at dinner parties--but Rena and I have only 7 dinner plates, so it was meant to be.

Because we wanted our food to match our furniture, we served swedish meatballs from Ikea--which, are incidentally, fool-proof and delicious. Rena made some roasted potatoes that were coated in a yummy garlic paste. I was responsible for the salad (with home-made honey ginger salad dressing). Kevin provided the dessert. It was truly a family effort.

Our guests were kind enough to bring wine, which we tore through with gusto. The atmosphere was convivial and the conversation flowed without effort--mostly in English, but sometimes in German and Spanish. It truly did my heart good. There's something so wonderful about throwing a good party.

I love my place in Philadelphia, but that's one thing I regret about my little studio. My condo is the perfect size (and mortgage payment!) for me. I can squeeze in one guest, MAYBE two, if we really like each other. But 7 people for dinner? We'd have to spill out into the hallway all the way down to the elevators. We'd have to have hors d'oeuvres on the bed and dessert on the windowsill. The maddening irony is that in Philadelphia, I have service (on matching plates, no less) for 8.

So, while I'm here in Basel and have both a roommate who is an ex-chef (you should see her dice a head of garlic!) and an apartment big enough to entertain in, I'm going to milk it for all it's worth!