rap n roll

Here we are, with a whole brand new year!

2013, can you believe it?

We rang in the new year at what has become our traditional neighborhood party. If you recall, we opted to bring 2012 in on a stick. This time we came up with a plan to rap n roll our goods!

Our illustrious hosts set a beautiful stage for the festivities to begin on that chilly San Diego night. 

It was cozy warm at the deck bar thanks to side panels and a heat lamp. See that bucket of love on the bar? It's my new signature sangria champagne punch. It's a troublemaker.

Everything was set and ready, and if you needed something else, like a funnel, it was merrily retrieved from whatever space it had been inhabiting. 

Rap n Roll sampling: stuffed grape leaves, rolled goat cheese, lasagne roll ups, pinwheel lavash, prosciutto arugula salad rolls, bacon wrapped hot dogs, lettuce wraps...

homemade egg rolls, bacon wrapped dates (not pictured)... it went on and on right up til tamales at 3am.

Obligatory

It was a great night with old friends and familiar fun. As a special treat, a new tradition was born:

Wish lanterns!

It took a village to get those things airborne without lighting anyone or anything on fire. Everyone had a job and a small partner and a critical role to play.

Some of us felt compelled to entertain.

Then we were hit by a comet.

Before we knew it, the time had come to fill glasses and get ready to ring 'er in!

If you've been playing along, you will remember that with this crew, ringing 'er in means liberating the cookware and marching outside to incite the neighbors.

See that plant on the left side of the hall? Poorly placed.

The time stamp on this photo was 11:58 pm.

10...9..8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012 is a wrap.