Pictures from The Salon des Grands Geeks, February 2005

Pictures from The Salon des Grands Geeks
February 19-20, 2005

Elizabeth has once again convened her Salon, and the membership keeps growing. This time, the festive event was held in State College, PA, graciously hosted by Elizabeth's parents, Bob and Phyllis. The weekend also featured an excellent dinner at the India Pavilion and several trips to the Waffle Shop. But let's get on to the actual Salon!

	Our ever-lovely hostess Elizabeth, who cooked up a storm (we had to open the doors and windows at one point, despite it being February).
	In the beginning, there were three. Well, actually five, at least, but I was behind the camera and Elizabeth was cooking. Note props on the table, notably including the Extended Fellowship of the Ring DVD.


Drew's hand	Drew	Iain	Trey

After insisting and pleading with Elizabeth that we be allowed to help, she delegated the time-honored tradition of making the beer bites to Trey and me. We made batches and batches of them. Delicious!

Beer bites! And more beer bites!

Drew is wicked with a knife. Actually, he was being useful with a knife, but I wanted a more interesting action shot. On the table you can see the chestnut-flour gnocchi awaiting their plunge into boiling water.

Conversation around the table. The props have multiplied to reflect the fact that cooking is now taking place in and out of the kitchen. Barely a beer bite remains. We must be just about ready for the real meal...

Unfortunately, I have no actual record of the meal. We were all too busy eating and making appreciative noises. Elizabeth pulled together an awesome menu, managing to satisfy wildly divergent food preferences and requirements. Chief among them were the chestnut gnocchi, the butternut squash soup, and the delicious beef stew. But you had to see dessert to believe it. I'll just comment that it involved chocolate and strawberries. Wow.

Although the Salon ostensibly ended late on the 19th, most of us were still around on the 20th, so why not continue the festivities? This time we met up at Donna's. Elizabeth and I sighed and swooned while watching the Extended Return of the King DVD (though at different parts) while the guys drifted around and did other things. >

	Elizabeth at the table.
	Brett and Donna. Donna is saying "Awwwww!", and I am wishing I used a flash so that they'd be less fuzzy.
	Elizabeth read "The Rainbow Goblins", one of my childhood favorites, to us.
Despite a forecast that clearly stated "no precipitation", it then proceeded to start snowing and sleeting for the rest of the day and into the night. It was beautiful... and so nice to be in a cozy house with good friends.
Iain, who was taking this picture, just said something really weird. No, really. I can't remember what it was, but you can see our reaction.
Iain and Elizabeth being all friendly. Awwwww.
This couch fits three!

We watched some musical selections from Kal Ho Naa Ho (Bollywood film. Utterly hilarious!), I got to see The Daily Show for the second time ever, and then we went to the Deli for dinner. All the while, the snow fell, and it was eerie and gorgeous and forbidding all at once. The next day, after yet another breakfast at the Waffle Shop, we parted to go our separate ways. Thanks to Elizabeth and Donna for a wonderful weekend!

	After insisting and pleading with Elizabeth that we be allowed to help, she delegated the time-honored tradition of making the beer bites to Trey and me. We made batches and batches of them. Delicious!
Beer bites!		And more beer bites!

	Drew is wicked with a knife. Actually, he was being useful with a knife, but I wanted a more interesting action shot. On the table you can see the chestnut-flour gnocchi awaiting their plunge into boiling water.
Conversation around the table. The props have multiplied to reflect the fact that cooking is now taking place in and out of the kitchen. Barely a beer bite remains. We must be just about ready for the real meal...