Dinner with friends

A couple of weeks ago, we were invited to have dinner at my friend Lindsey's (she's the keeper of the yummy grapefruits!) house.  I met Lindsey when we were both touring a school.  She had just moved to Houston and we've now moved walking distance to them (and the school!).  Lindsey's son, Nash, is a few months older than Riley, and she has a sweet baby girl, Maeve, as well.  Riley and I have had several play dates with them, and Leighton had a chance to meet them as well - and her husband, Charlie, when we went to borrow boxes for moving.  Roy met Lindsey and Maeve randomly at IKEA one day, but we had yet to all get together and to introduce our husbands. 

We started outside since it was warm and sunny.  The kids played and the mommies sipped (gulped???) fresh grapefruit and gin cocktails!  The daddies had beer.  They seemed pleased with their choice, but I've gotta say they missed out by not having the deliciously fresh (and deliciously spiked!) grapefruit juice!  Leighton had a fantastic time driving the Benz ;)

We then went inside to make up some pizzas and salad.  The boys got in on the pizza making action.  Very cute!

Lots of playing (and more cocktails!) while things were cooking.

I made a variation of the raspberry tart that you've seen me make a few (okay, many!) times now.  I know that Lindsey loves coconut, so I used coconut milk instead of regular milk/cream in the recipe and I toasted up some sweetened coconut to spread on top with the fruit.  I loved it.  I love coconut, and the coconut pastry cream was pretty fantastic.  Leighton likes the original the best, but only because he prefers the pastry cream totally smooth without interruption from crunchy, toasted coconut - but he and I are both big fans of the pastry cream no matter which way it's made!

And Lindsey sent me some of her photos, too, so I stole this one so she can be part of this post, too!

We had a lovely time and then enjoyed a nice walk home looking at the stars with the kids.  It's wonderful to have good friends, and it's even better to have friends right in our new neighborhood.