The time Lena did the dishes, forcing Jenn to cut bread crusts off with a machete (AKA: Katie's Party--Lena's version)

One thing I've learned about Jenn since living with her for 4 months is that she likes to throw parties........

The week of Anne Katherine Miller's birthday was a wonderful week, indeed. JENN and I decided to throw Dr. Miller a proper party by making food that represented each of Katie's top 5 countries in the world; 1) England 2) France 3)Turkey 4) India 5) Denmark. So...naturally Jenn and I went about our respective roles as party planners/throwers. I, Lena, am on PR duty which means I try and get people to come to the party via clever e-mails. Jenn does all the actual party preparations, aka: making food. Afterwards, everyone thanks ME for throwing such a wonderful party, when really it was Jenn all along. Good ol' PR.

So the night before Katie's party, Jenn was in preparation mode which meant that Lena got to chop thin slices of cucumbers for the cucumber sandwiches that Jenn was making to represent England. Jenn had to leave for something...probably a hott date....and so I decided to be a good roommate and do the dishes/run the dish washer. When Jenn got back she was delighted about how thin the cucumber slices that her wonderful roommate had just cut and turned to prepare the bread for the sandwiches when she realized there were no small knives to cut the crusts off with because they were all in the dishwasher and it was still running. BUT! Luckily she had bought a set of knives from IKEA a few months ago....and the only ones left were huge machete-sized ones. So Jenn, not to be defeated by small knives in a dishwasher....began to slice the bread crusts off PowerRangers-style!

Machete in action

When Jenn asked what shape she should make the cucumber sandwiches, I suggested "star-shaped". She was not amused. (you mean a shape besides a square?!?)

Cucumber Sandwiches
(**Notice not in a star-shape**)

Success!
(Lovely garnish, Jenn)

The actual party was a great success! Other foods from various countries included Crepes-France, Rice & Spinach Paneer-India, Fries & Fry Sauce- Utah, Shishkabobs-Turkey, a yummy dessert that Tori made-Denmark. We also handed out silver-beaded-necklaces to symbolize the pearls that Katie wore ever since she could breathe. But of course to also symbolize and remind us all that ours are of inferior quality because...well...we're not Dr. Miller, nor will be ever. So here's to YOU, Dr. MILLER! Another year of successfully avoiding death! 

Before the actual party execution....or execution of the party...(hmmm still sounds morbid).... there of course is always a planning stage. This includes Jenn's excel spreadsheets and buying of decorations...as well as discussing the highlight of the party....Which was trying to figure out how we could get a cardboard cutout of Bill Clinton as our guest of honor. First off...Katie LOVE the Clintons and so we thought it would be fun to actually bring Bill to her party. Jenn and I literally spent a good 45 mins discussing how we would do this. Options: 

1) Buy an actual cardboard cutout of Bill Clinton

• Pros-- THE REAL DEAL, no hassle
• Cons-- expensive

2) Get a large piece of cardboard and print out Bill Clinton and then glue him on the cardboard

• Pros-- cheaper
• Cons-- pixelated Bill, finding cardboard and a printer, more craftsmenship than we want

3) Buy a cheaper cardboard cutout of James Dean or John Wayne and glue Bill's face to it

• Pros-- cheaper than a Bill cutout, Bill with a cowboy hat or a leather jacket
• Cons-- still expensive

Jenn was good enough to call around all the party places in the bay area to find a Bill Clinton cutout but it was to no avail. We decided to forgo the cutout...... for NOW.

(Brainstorming) Viva La France et L'Angleterre!