Inaqui said, “Sarah, I saw the paella you made on the blog. Will you teach me how to make it at a celebration in my new kitchen?”
Patrick said, “That’s not going to work for me. I’m going to be out of the country then. We’re going to have to just do it now. At my house. Next weekend.”
She has nothing really to do with this story except that you should meet her.Because Patrick has a fancy knife, and knife skills that put me to shame…
…we listened to him.
And so that is how I found myself making paella on a Sunday evening, working what my mama gave me.
No. Literally. Mama Smart mailed me this apron. It has owls on it, because ever since I joined my sorority my mama sees an owl and thinks, “I should buy that for Sarah.”
It made me feel a bit like Betty Draper. But I was OK with that. (As long as it was before she went all crazy and taking out her own insecurities on her daughter.)
Life does happen. We should look fabulous.
…we managed to put together a delicious feast, following the recipe I had invented the last time, albeit with smoked oysters instead of mussels, as well as the addition of some scallops (!)
We also made twice as much!
I was so excited that Patrick had a fancy sea salt container, perfect for grabbing a pinch, that I spilled half of it on the counter.
Cooking in bare feet? Dangerous, but fun!
Jen brought some delicious spinachoke dip with carrots and celery…as well as amazing sourdough bread.
Teddy made a spicy curry sweet potato hummus that was also delish!
Jen also brought caramel brownies! (Which Patrick warmed up and served with milk.)
This was the last little one left on the plate before being devoured. 
“You boys are not photogenic.”–Me.
Yes. I really said that.
Paella please!
Lesson Learned? Don’t leave out the artichokes. They were everyone’s favorite part.
Want the original recipe? Check out the first Paella Party!
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My mom does the same thing with ladybugs since I joined my sorority.