It's The Gala Week.....

Joyce has taken this week off, so there is no Hodgepodge. Missing the fun, but I know Joyce only takes off when she is super busy or traveling.  I'll take this opportunity to talk about Gala.

The Museum where I work is gearing up for our biggest fundraiser of the year....The Gala.  It is the premier social event of the year for our county, and we are blessed to have so many committed supporters who dress up and come out year after year.  Gala is always the last Saturday in February.

This is the Museum's 50th birthday year and our Gala has been ramped up to kick-off our anniversary year.  Tickets are $400 each (up from $350 in previous years) ($800 a couple; $4,000 for a table of 10).  As of last Friday, we have 315 tickets sold and an amazing array of silent auction items. The auction helps push us over the top each year, and our patrons are usually very generous.

Department Heads and spouses attend for free. Other staff attend and are fed really well in the conference room.  We are all there to work, though. At the end of the night, I have to start tallying the auction cards, inputting them into the auction software and then we open the doors so people can check out what they purchased and head for home.  So, yes, Joe and I get to enjoy the evening but for the last 90 minutes or so, I am working. But it is fun work and is always a high.  We get to dress up, rub elbows with the area's movers and shakers, and then celebrate a job well done.

Dinner is premier and five star, catered by a company in Tampa (Arthur's Creative Events and Catering). Here are this year's menu choices:

Hors d'oeuvres:  Waygu Beef Short Rib Spring Roll; Lucky Duck; Silky Crab Cup; Pistachio Apricot Latke; Italian Antipasto Display with Tuscan Grilled Shrimp

Salad:  Bibb and Radicchio Salad with grapefruit, orange hearts of palm, dried cranberries, walnuts and tangerine vinegrette

Plated Entree:  Chimichurri Crusted Rack of Lamb with Moroccan spiced carrot puree, mint, feta, ancient grain pilaf, pine nut and thyme;  Grilled Filet of Beef, with rosemary cocoa demi-glace, peruvian purple and sweet potato gratin and romanesco puree;  Seared Citrus Cobia, with toasted coconut tuxedo rice, red Thai curry broth and brussel sprout petals; Asparagas Crespelle, with bechamel, marinara, ancient grain pilaf, pine nut, thyme Moroccan spiced carrot puree, mint and feta

(Joe and I will have the Grilled Filet of Beef.)

Plated Desserts:  Chocolate Cremeux, graham cracker crumbs, Earl Grey whipped cream, pepitas and honey praline cream

Celebration of Sweetness Buffet:  Mexican Hot Chocolate Shots with Mini CHurros; Caramel Pralines Brownies; Strawberry Cupcakes; Lime Thyme Tarts

Gourmet Coffee Station and Assorted Teas

I was looking through old Gala pictures at work, stored on our server, all the way back to 2001. I found out I wore the same outfit twice, three different years. More recently, I try to have a new top to wear with one of my two long black dressier skirts.  Here is a short look-back....

 Gala 2010 (I am drinking club soda & lime - FYI)

 Gala 2011 (Tropical theme)

Gala 2012...couldn't find one of Joe and me. This is the Museum staff photo and I am in the back row (of course) so you can't see my outfit.  We're a nice looking bunch though! :)

 Gala 2013 (yes, same blouse as 2010)

Gala 2014 (selfie at home)

Gala 2015

I have a gold top to wear this year, for the Golden Anniversary.  I think I'll get a manicure and some gold polish, too. Pictures will follow!!  This once a year event is fun, but I am not the dress-up fussy type.  Jeans and a hotdog on the grill is the much more comfortable me.

Thanks for checking in! I always appreciate friends stopping by.  Peace & hugs.