Dinner party at Wren Cottage

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 (updated on 5/17/2011 at 5:41 p.m.)

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Kip Keller enjoys a crepe with port after dinner.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Kip Keller enjoys a crepe with port after dinner.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Eric and Maria Groten tell stories after dinner in the living room.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Eric and Maria Groten exclaim as Michael Barnes serves dessert, cherry and marzipan filled crepes.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Maria Groten, left, and Christine Moline, second from left, talk in the dining room as Terrence Moline, second from right, and Rich Garza talk in the living room.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Maria Groten, left, and Christine Moline, second from left, talk in the dining room as Terrence Moline, second from right, and Rich Garza talk in the living room.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Kip Keller removes dinner rolls from the oven.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Michael Barnes lights the stove in final preparation of the main course.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Dinner guests relax on the porch between dinner courses.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Dinner guests relax on the porch between dinner courses.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Rich Garza and Terrence Moline talk as dinner guests relax on the porch between dinner courses.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Kip Keller keeps his recipes organized in the kitchen cooking three appetizers and a three course dinner with dessert for the guests of Wren Cottage.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Elaine Garza listens to other guests during dinner.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Rich Garza, right, tells a story as Michael Barnes removes soup bowls for the second dinner course at Wren Cottage.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Eric Groten, left, Christine Moline, center, and Maria Groten, right, enjoy conversation at the dinner table at Wren Cottage.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Christine Moline, center, laughs during the dinner party at Wren Cottage.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Dinner guests at Wren Cottage (left to right) Elaine Garza, Terrence Moline, Rich Garza, Kip Keller, Eric Groten, Christine Moline, and Maria Groten toast to the hosts before diving in to the soup course during a dinner party at Wren Cottage. House rules ensure that guests sit apart from their spouses, which encourages conversation between new friends.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Rich Garza, right, talks with dinner guests Terrence Moline, center, and Christine Moline, left, before dinner is served.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Michael Barnes sets the table with bowls of chilled asparagus soup and goat cheese as the first dinner course.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Kip Keller violates a cardinal rule of throwing a dinner party by trying out a recipe for dinner rolls for the first time.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Corn cakes with avocado and tomato provide the third appetizer.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Kip Keller, center, and Michael Barnes, left, prepare appetizers for their guests at Wren Cottage.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Crab cakes with a salsa fresca topping.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Maria Groten talks with other dinner guests as the afternoon light streams in to Wren Cottage.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Crab cakes await the frying pan as the evening's second appetizer.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Michael Barnes prepares crab cakes in the kitchen.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Eric and Maria Groten listen to a story from Elaine Garza in the living room during the appetizer course at Wren Cottage.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Bacon wrapped dates and olives provide a sweet and savory flavor combination.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Christine Moline, left, and Maria Groten, center, and Elaine Garza, right, chat near the kitchen at the start of the evening at Wren Cottage.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Kip Keller cuts avocado for an appetizer.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Elaine Garza, left, and Christine Moline, right, get to know each other in the kitchen as hosts Kip Keller and Michael Barnes prepare dinner.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Kip Keller prepares bacon wrapped dates as one of three appetizers.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Tulips provide a touch of color to the dinner table at Wren Cottage.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Tulips provide a touch of color to the dinner table at Wren Cottage.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Tulips provide a touch of color to the dinner table at Wren Cottage.

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