Oh. I thought every one was just hanging out there for the same reason as me. . .closer proximity to the beer 
Well, anyone can compete against my deviled eggs, but they’d better bring along some roast crow, too, to eat after the judging 
O.K., I’ll do cheese and crackers then.
As much as I’d love to come down there and help give JC a rousing send-off, I have some of those “previous engagements” that Billdo mentioned. (And that was before I saw his post in this thread.)
I send my regards to all, and my best wishes to JC.
What are you talking about. I didn’t post before. Are you sure you’re not making hallucinating on drugs or something.
OK, I’m making potato salad. I was toying with making the warm German kind, but I’ve never made it before, so y’all are stuck with the cold picnic-y variety.
If I’m feeling up to it, I may brave the deviled egg challenge as well - though my son complains that they make the house smell bad.
See y’all then!
Anna (and Jake)
Rememer, I am bringing pasta salad.
Whoot. I was getting worried I was going to need to learn to make deviled eggs, but now I’m off the hook. I can’t just feel free to eat norinew’s and compliment the recipe. 
Since I’m sans hot plate, crock pot, or any similar device, it may be best to stick me with a veggie plate, chips, or something simple. (Sorry, I had it in my mind to make stuffed shells, but then realized (a) we’d be getting there late and (b) we’d be walking in the door with cold food, which might result in us being summarily chased back out into the street 
)
moi, feel free to eat the eggs, and don’t be afraid to let the compliments flow as freely as the beer Since I’ve bragged about my deviled egg making prowess, I guess that now is not the time to mention that they are just about the easiest things in the world to learn to make
You will not be chased back into the street even if you walk in empty-handed. Please don’t knock yourself out, you and tdc “enjoy”(?) a special status as refugees and are not expected to actually prepare anything.
While I’m at it, I should also exempt the Chance clan for obvious reasons, and additionally anyone with a birthday in February would not be expected to bring anything; and for health reasons, anyone who is culinarily challenged would be asked to forgo making dangerous food items.
For the record, we are now officially not short on any food item. Anyone who hasn’t yet said what they’re bringing can just write me a check, payable to “cash”.
Birthday Cake!
:::Running around berserk and flailing arms over head:::
I totally forgot! We need birthday cake!
We can stick some candles in my rum cake!!! Instant birthday cake!
Time for an important message from our sponsor:
The party starts at 4pm.
You are welcome to arrive any time after that, and there is no such thing as arriving too late. There is however, such a thing as arriving too early, so contrary to what I said when I started the thread, the party will not begin at 2pm.
Thank you. We will now return to our regular programming.
And I’m officially out. Well, most of you didn’t know I was even tentatively in, but…
Sorry, but I have to work at six, so I’d only show up and have to walk right out the door.
Hope your move goes well JC and you like your new home. I’ve only met you on a handful of occasions, but you seem like a cool guy. Plus you throw kickass parties.
We may have a SAXFACE!
Yes! I will try my best to be there. I’m very excited to see my DC area friends. And Billdo! Whoo hoo!
Sorry, the hubby is back in Paris so it’ll just be me. Maybe my sister.
What should I bring?
Bring your sister!
I’ve made cornbread. I am about to go downstairs and make a vegetable tray. I will try my best not to bleed on things.
I’ve gotten the Rice Krispies squares done and the chili is in the crock pot. Tomorrow I’ll make the broccoli casserole before I go over. Woohoo!
Good news! No blood! So Opal can eat it.
Cookies are done, their little heads have been painted with rum sauce, and are baggied for the trip. Meats slumber in the fridge, awaiting their part in the gustatory play which is tomorrow.
How many birthday candles are involved, anyway? Will anita’s extinguisher be adequate, or should I bring a Smokey the Bear regulation shovel? 