After Thoughts

Gorgeous!!

Today was a special lunch day, and this was the view..

The bus came on time, eleven a.m. and our bus driver pulled up and we filled it all but one seat.    I'd say there was twenty five of us, male and female invited to the home of the daughter of one of our ladies here at Ridgemont.    We rode through traffic, over to Bremerton  , through it, I should say, on to the highway and byways  heading towards the water.  The house built by a wonderful builder with a delightful sense of wit and a dash of perfection build this home with the help of the folks who had similar ideas and two others in the same area.    The home is a wonder inside and out.   It is large, open, and quality throughout.   The size of the rooms are for want of a better word, magnificent.   A green tile fireplace; a built in TV; large sofas at the ready for the body to sink in and enjoy a favorite show.    The kitchen area is to the left of this area and past the main entrance of beautiful tile and a peek at some lovely colorful flowers in their pots.   The kitchen is a wonder of beautiful cabinets and counter space where you can enjoy a baking spree  if so inclined.   There were three tables set up for us; one out on the patio which the men claimed immediately; one in a dining area with huge windows to see the views and the other in the long window area of the living room area where the view was spectacular;  just like the picture above.   My camera is broken and no one brought one so no pictures today.   

After the bus rounded the corner and we saw the house, I knew it would be special, just the outside is whimsical but in excellent taste.   The view of the water was an immediate draw and after greeting our hostess and family we all headed out to the patio and the view.   A beautiful sunshine day, cool, breezy and we all sighed with a sense of peace and beauty.

We found our way to the tables and were treated to ice cold lemonade;  then came the hot coffee and small glasses of  tiny vegetables and dill pickles that put a pucker on your lips....delicious.   Conversation flowed, the young ladies, a daughter and her friend, were at the ready and kept the coffee hot and then brought  plates of a special Chinese type salad, brown molasses beans and a piece of salmon that was grilled by our host and grilled to perfection.   Hey there Jock, I have to give him credit and tell you that you have a rival in the salmon department. . . well, I admit, you would win if there was a contest as he didn't have your special rub to work with.  But he is close!

Our desert was rhubarb cake;  I'd like the recipe for that one.  Our hostess baked it and it was served with real whipped cream and delicious.    Conversation flowed, laughter was heard and best of all we have all been invited back for a special

Saturday around Christmas for another feast.   Yes, we all want to return.   

Our host is a Principal of a school here and his wife is a teacher of eight and  nine year old students.  Both have forty years of teaching in and plan to retire in another two years.    Their daughter is going into nursing, like her grandmother before her.  Our hostess told us she loves to have the senior members come for lunch as it gives her a chanced to meet up with senior members and friends of her mother.   

The group loves to go there and now I know why.    Several of us went on a walking tour of the down stairs.    The furnishings are huge, antique in a lot of areas, rooms filled with beautiful paintings done by friends and family.   A collection of plates and one room is Christmas all year.   There was a small collection of angels I would like to have had for friend Marcia.    She would love them as they were different and really very beautiful.   All in all I was impressed with the hugeness of the rooms, the delightful colors, the antique pieces, the junk pillows and the beautiful assortment of fancy lace as well.   A home....a family and how proud this mother is. . . who could blame her.

Now you know where I was today and how I wished I could have taken you right along with me.    Hard work, forty years of it and the pay off for this family is peace, contentment and success as they share themselves with others and share their smiles and hugs.   A lesson to learn for all of us.    Sharing certainly is caring;   try it and find yourself on a receiving end.  Hugs to all.