Borealis's Profile

I wouldnt own a home with asbestos siding again. We were also told that as long as it was sealed well, then there shouldnt be any potential for harm. Bids for removing the asbestos siding were much higher than what you've posted - and disposal was even more.

We had a truck that hit a side of the garage once which created many broken shingles and there you go- trouble. Storms, wind and rain also break down the siding. If you carefully walk the perimeter of the home, you'll probably see small amounts of sand type breakdown on the shingles themselves or the ground below.

I prefer salads so we make-ahead big salads and then wrap them in a veggie wrap, flour burrito or a spring roll wrap. The spring roll wraps are my favorite and I'm sure you could find a "how to" on youtube. Your first few may suck but you'll get into the groove.

Sometimes, I cram the salad into a pocket bread which is just a more healthy sandwich. I use small saved glass condiment jars to bring salad dressings with me - and either dip your roll in the dressing or pour it on top.

My sons like more hearty meals and their favorite is potato and black bean burrito. We chop and microwave the potato until soft. Add black beans, potato, jalapeno and jarred salsa because salsa already has the onion, garlic, cilantro (and sometimes we are just lazy that way). Roll in a flour burrito. They are very filling.

I'm thinking that his only options are:
Cooking a big batch on the weekends
Buying pre-cut veggies and garlic
Getting take-out
Mail order bride

I love the shingles and to me this calls for a Nantucket shingled east coast vibe.

I would paint the shingles a stronger gray, stain or paint. Then, paint the all of the trim (including upstairs door/window) a bright fresh white. Paint the door and mailbox black. (Take down the Christmas lights first)

Plant something easy to care for but colorful in that box of death between the car and the walkway- a hydrangea maybe in purple. The upstairs deck should have two Adirondack chairs painted black or white- and maybe a hanging basket on each side of the door that includes traditional red geraniums, white allysum and blue lobelia.

If you go to houzz.com and search "nantucket shingle style", you would see many examples of this up scale east coast feel.

I think it would really make the cool upstairs door/window piece stand out and the whole house would have a fantastic summer cottage but sophisticated style - and it would totally match the cool Audi !

Since you are looking for something with a main dish feel but lighter, I'm thinking of something more in the tapas realm because of the smaller portion size... so maybe individual ramekins of the polenta party idea (?) or a variety of tapas like: mac and cheese with salmon, garlic mushrooms, sherried shrimp, spicy pork skewers.... there are many tapas recipes online.

You mentioned that others were bringing appetizers and deserts so how about a coconut lime jasmine rice and a variety of skewers to choose from: veggies with sweet chili oil, chicken satay and fruit (bake skewers of peach, cherries and orange segments). Then any mix-match of skewers would compliment each other.

Or a variety of dim sum might be fun.

We call it Happy Hour too.

We recently moved just blocks from my Mother and Grandmother so I usually pick up wine and something easy to-go on my way home from work. My mother will roast all kinds of leftover veggies on phyllo and my Grandma always seems to have something pickled in a jar. haha.

Usually we all bring our own leftover wine bottles and my college aged sons come looking for food at Grandmas house. I think my sons are really blessed to get to have a cocktail hour with their 94 year old Great Grandmother.... who still loves to knock a few back and talk about sports or politics. LOL

I third Nanaimo bars!

Google for the recipe.

I'm not a fan of the shots idea either so my idea is different: Go with a local craft beer and a local winery and invite each maker to attend.

You said this was a networking event and trust me - they will love to showcase their product and they need to network too . People usually love this sort of thing and its a little more sophisticated while leveraging the local networking theme.

I'm with ryttu3k on this point. A vegan (as myself) should not be expected to cook meat. The OP obviously feels strongly enough to live by a cruelty free diet and she shouldn't be expected to accommodate travel companions by acting outside of her beliefs. I hope that her friends and family don't expect her to act against her beliefs over a vacation dinner!

My kids love Greek salad paninis (I replace the feta with garlic humus)...

So how about (1) a big fresh green salad or a cold pasta salad that you could make in the morning and refrigerate all day while you are out having fun (Pasta, fresh lemon juice, evoo, pine nuts and parsley is sooo good and refreshing)
(2) A Hawaiian themed fruit plate
(3) Everyone could make load their own paninis with fresh and marinated veggies. YUM! You could make these on the grill or on the stovetop.

Some Vegan ideas:

Spinach salad with beets, red onion, walnuts and oranges with maple-mustard balsamic
Fruit salads: Watermelon with fresh basil &/or cantaloupe balls with fresh mint
Rosemary focaccia bread or garlic naan
Pasta salad with lemon juice, pine nuts and fresh parsley
Greek salad: tomatoes, roasted garlic, cucumbers, Greek olives (add shrimp, feta and mint to de-veganize and dress it up)

Finger foods that aren't vegan:
Shrimp with horseradish cocktail sauce
Stuffed (baked) baby potatoes: sour cream and bacon
Quiche Lorraine cut into finger squares
Bacon wrapped dates with honey jalapeno sauce for dipping
Cut bagels with smoked salmon, red onion, cream cheese and capers
Caesar salad with shrimp

Can you tell that I'm hungry? :-)