Well, it’s Memorial Day and time for another backgammon tournament and dinner party! When I had asked him several weeks ago if he would like to cook for this party, Brian Serven graciously agreed to introduce us to a variety of Vegan style dishes.

I had no experience with anything Vegan, nor did anyone else who wanted to come to the party, so I figured this was a great opportunity to check it out. And what a success it was!

I had told everyone that Brian and I would start chopping stuff up at 4:00pm if they wanted to come early and participate. But, being the start of Memorial Day weekend, everyone was running late with either chores, other engagements, or holiday traffic.

Fortunately, Brian had done a lot of the preparation the night before and earlier during the day. By the time he got here and the others arrived, we had more than enough time to fight it out over the backgammon boards before we had to start the cooking.

Brian's menu consisted of Organic Penne with Vegan Zesty Italian "meat balls" and tomato sauce. Vegan 'steak', green pepper and onion sandwhiches. Vegan Riblets in barbeque sauce. Garden Salad. Basmati, Brown and Jasmine steamed rice with corn, fennel, rosemary and seitan. Also a fruit plate consisting of pineapple, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries in the likeness of the cobra and crane. There were three different kinds of Vegan Icecream as well, all Soy Delicious: Mocha Almond Fudge, Chunky Mint Madness, and Cookie Dough.

We ended the night with the really entertaining movie Stomp The Yard. Despite not getting to bed until around 1:00am, I wasn't tired at all. It was a really enjoyable party, and I thank all of those who came for sharing it together.

It was a beautifully warm day - a great start to the Memorial Day weekend. Do I look ready to play, or what?

Tim House arrived at the same time Brian Serven drove up. I was in the kitchen and saw them coming across the parking lot so went out and grabbed this picture of them carrying the food in. Note Tim with his board - he's ready to play.

And it didn't take long for the two of them to get in and mix it up over the board. Brian's new to the game but coming along well enough that he should start trash talking the next time he plays. Here, he is attempting to call his throw, but it wasn't working for him. Maybe next time, Brian...

Rick Downs doing a point count to see if he wants to take my double. Advice: don't ever take my double. I have evil intent and the cosmic forces of Nature herself to back me up...

Hummmm... indecision can only lead to an ass whippin' in this group, Brian. You just gotta throw and move...

My contribution to the meal was stirring the peppers, soy, and onion, drinking my beer, and staying out of the way. I did all exceptionally well!

Brian in full swing chopping mode.

Brian holding up a fruit plate he had crafted. If you look closely, you can see the red crane standing over the snake on the bottom left. Amazing representation of the C&S Self Defense Association logo.

These two guys just never let up. Tim House seems to think he has the upper hand over Rick Downs at this particular time. I don't know how many games they played, or how it all turned out, but this rivalry seems to flare up almsot everytime these two sit down at the board.

Not sure if Brian is calling out for help or an ambulance, but once you start playing backgammon with us, you can't get out of the game even on a gurney.

The Bose family arrive from Portland to see what all this backgammon stuff is that I've been talking about.

Aparna, Shivashis, and their son Aniket pause before entering the battle zone.

No complaints about the food from these guys!

We actually did take time out from the games to eat! An amazing meal. Thanks, Brian!

The Bose family presenting us with a cake they brought for the party. We had that with the three flavors of dairy free ice cream that Brian had brought as part of the meal: Mocha Almond Fudge, Cookie Dough, and Chunky Mint Maddness. Who says a Vegan meal is dull!

They just don't quit...

Aparna enjoying her cake.

It was getting late and poor little Aniket was not in any mood to put up with any more backgammon foolishness, so Shivashis and Aparna packed him up in the car and they headed back to Portland. The rest of us finished the night off watching the movie Stomp The Yard.