SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!

Dan and I left the opening day festivities for T-Ball and headed to Washington, DC to Taberna Del Alabardero for a surprise birthday event for our friend, Erin.  Although this picture says it all, Erin was beyond SHOCKED when she arrived as she had been expecting to spend the day with some friends at the National Zoo.

So the event was a 4 hour cooking demonstration/class/tasting with Head Chef, Javier, at the best Spanish restaurant in town.  So once we all put on our aprons, we go to work making 3 types of Paella - Vegetable, Chicken and Chorizo, and Seafood. 

Dan was stressed to be adding the Saffron, which we learned is very expensive as the bottle he is holding cost over $700.  : )

In addition to the Paella, the Chef prepared another rice dish... with Squid Ink (I did not try it, but other's enjoyed it) and Mushroom Risotto.  The food was INCREDIBLE and Chef Javier was an amazing host! I ate so much that I swear I was not hungry again until the following Monday.  Thank you to Eric for hosting such a fun and memorable celebration for his beautiful wife and all of us!!  It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event.