Yum!!

The table before, wish the table after picture came out but for some reason I cannot get a few of the pictures to come up.   The computer is temperamental this morning and refuses to cooperate.   

No I did not eat that butter but I sipped champagne and waited patiently for the platters of food to be put on the table and then tried a bit of everything.    There was ham, turkey, dressing, Brussels sprouts,  hot rolls, a home made cranberry dish , mashed potatoes and gravy.   Of course, before the main offerings,  we had been given tid-bits at a counter filled with shrimp, a cheese and fancy topping dish with loads of fine crackers, chips, dips, all before the feast.    There were pies and tarts too but I didn't have room for them.   I did bring home some turkey for a sandwich to day and Christine had some leftovers to share.   I am sure I left something out as Sheila puts on a spread and wants her guests to be well fed.  Delightful company,  a delightful young lady named Charlotte who was the assistant chef this year....old friends from last year and "a good time was had by all."

YUM!!!

Sheila put a lovely picture of all of us at the table but it just wouldn't not come out for me this morning.   We looked busy and content with filled plates and some quiet time as we 'shoveled' the fine tasting goodies into our mouths.    There was some conversation but mostly we were very busy chomping away and sighing as each morsel found a niche to settle in.  After dinner a few went for a walk around the block and a few of us did some walking around the kitchen cleaning up our messes as we left lots of dishes to be washed and lots of leftovers to be put away.   No one has devised a method of cleaning up after a feast.  We have all become quite adept though at finding bowls and plates to wrap up the left overs for another meal.  It may take a day or two to start the picking process but although I didn't have an extra inch of stomach space, I managed a half turkey sandwich before the night was over.  So our thanks goes to our lovely hostess Sheila, to her friend Charlotte who added so much of her talent to the assistant chef title.   A great job.   There was a puzzle on the table, pieces piled high ready to be separated but no spaced to put them.    It will take the some time to get that one finished. I had met the other couple, long time friends of Sheila and delightful.   I wish I could remember names.    faces I do good at  but names escape me.   I always enjoy seeing them and look forward to the next visit.   All in all, we had much to be thankful for....

 

I had a telephone call from my old neighbor and friend, La Verne, who was cooking for some of her neighbors and is also busy pouring some brandy over the fruit cakes she makes for Christmas gifts.   She makes such a tasty fruit cake...yum...and I am going to get one in the mail for Christmas.    I'll enjoy that.    It was fun to catch up on some of the old neighborhood news and find Mary and Jo are moving back to Carson City.  I knew they were thinking about it  but had no idea it was going to be a winter move.   They will be in time for the first snows as I hear they had a storm moving in.  

 

So here it is Friday and a weekend coming up to enjoy all those left overs....a break from cooking....just heat and eat....not bad after all that hard work.     It was good to  hear and also to read about the good deeds that transpired over the Thanksgiving holiday.    The Macy's parade was spectacular this year with all of Broadway on tap.    The bands were awesome.   

 

Now to get ready for our very special Christmas  with a hope that we will all keep Christ in Christmas and share ourselves with one another in the spirit of Christ.    We have a few weeks to get ready to decorate, to bake, to shop and oh yes, wrap....that is a job and a half to do.   Are we up to the task?    Yeah!!!!   You just can't keep a 'good man' down.   So, you have seconds to live and good deeds to accomplish...and a lot of loving to do in the meantime.     Practice your hugs.....they are a gift all by themselves.     Give smiling eyes and soft words to friends and family alike.... never meet a stranger...you would miss half of life if you did.    Be good, be kind, be gentle, hum those Christmas carols when you cannot remember all the words...sing loud....be a beacon of light.   Hugs to all.