Murder Mystery Party

The past couple of weeks have given me much blogging material. Unfortunately we've been hit with sickness and internet troubles. So now that I have a healthy body and working DSL, it's catch up time! First of all, we celebrated Adam's birthday with a murder mystery dinner party. It was SO much fun! Adam has always wanted to have one, and I've had it on my mind, literally, for years!

For the party, 1 Meadow Way was no longer the Zimel home, but the Underwood Wine Estates mansion in the Napa Valley, where 5 years ago the owner had mysteriously disappeared. This evening our guests were invited to celebrate the annual wine festival and grape harvest. During the celebration however, a minor earthquake shook the mansion and unearthed the well-preserved body of the missing man. It was a clear case of muder, almost everyone had a motive to kill.

We dined on Cornish Hens with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto, Carrots and Sugar Snap Peas in Red Wine Vinagarette, California Avacado Salad, Herbed Orzo, Pears Poached in Red Wine, Parmesan Crackers, Chocolate Biscotti, and of course, an assortment of wines.

We voted for the best costume and the best acting job. Otto Von Schnapps (aka Jon) won the best costume (he's the German-looking fellow with the leiderhosen and the felt cap) and Papa Vito (aka Adam) was voted best actor, but he volunteered his prize to the next runner up, Ralph Rottingrape (aka Matt) (he's the bad boy character in the dark sunglasses and black shirt). Hedy Shablee (aka Jenn, the one with the flowery skirt and wine basket) was the only one who correctly guessed the murderer!

Everyone portrayed their characters so well, and somehow each individual seemed so suited to the character they were assigned. In the end, perfectly, the birthday boy himself (who I might add seemed the most innocent of us all) was the murderer! I couldn't have planned it better myself!

Me? Kill him? You must be mistaken!