Glanza 2010

The Glänza, unadorned, before the guests (mostly those 

under the age of 6) covered it with ornaments.

The Hoisting of the Glänza 2010 went off without a hitch last Saturday.  From 5:30 until after midnight, as many as 50 people celebrated the hoisting.  We served ham, Swedish meatballs, fishballs, herring, gravlax, salmon, some surprisingly tasty pickled-herring taquitos, a mung bean casserole for vegetarians, cabbage salad, excellent Swedish cheeses and Gjetoste, lefse, and a heavy rye bread -- not to mention mozzarella sticks, fish sticks, pizza and tater tots for the kids. (The kids food, eaten by adults and children alike, went first.)

For desserts, we had a marvelous Swedish Apple Cake (made by the Texan), a pullman of gingerbread and almond cake from local bakeries, homemade Knäcks (a Swedish toffee), and Hawaiian pineapple shortcake with chocolate. (There was more, but I've forgotten bits.)

For drinks, we of course served Moose Milk (equal parts bourbon, French Vanilla ice cream and ginger ale, a Glänza favorite), wine, beer and Aqua Vit.  In the morning, we estimated we had 20 wine bottles empty in the recycling bin.

Tasha helping set the table before the party started. 

(Note the mural on the top edge of the photo.)

For fun, the children (about 10 of them, ages 2 to 15) watched movies (teenaged-boy movies upstairs -- Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief, followed by Serenity and Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog -- and pre-teen/girl movies downstairs -- Toy Story 3). One could complain that the kids were "plugged in" but they seemed to have games and fights that tumbled out of the movie rooms, and there was food and general boisterousness to keep them occupied.

The adults talked, and talked, and talked. HemKarl pulled out his old "vinyl tuner" (aka. a record player before the invention of CDs), and guests brought old favored albums. Music blared loudly -- from the 70's and 80's, mostly, dating us, but some from the 90's (since the 90's, little music has been released on vinyl).  Lots of Talking Heads, and Stevie Nicks, and Fleetwood Mac. Even some Abba, the requisite Swedish band.

 The Glänza, fully decorated, in the light of day.

The Glänza, fully decorated, glowing from its own light.

There is a freedom gained by having 4 hosts (and two Junior Hosts) at a party, and we, children of Rodney (whether by blood or spirit) take hosting very seriously.  When you realize you've been talking to one person just a little bit too long, and it crosses your mind that you have to get back to working the room, you remember there are 3 others out there, doing the same thing. It doesn't mean you don't have to close off and move on, but the urgency is gone. You have just a little longer to chat with those special friends; a little more lingering over those promises to meet for lunch next month (that you know you'll never fulfill); a little less glad-handing and looking out who needs to be brought out of their shell next.