Saturday, December 20, 2008

Come on over—

We're having a party!

The candles are lighted, the music is on. There's lots of good food on that table back there, and wine in the kitchen and hot cider and pretty red plates and festive napkins, and—hmmm, where are the guests?

Not out in this. We're getting phone calls and emails cancelling left and right. "Sorry, snowed in", "can't get the car out of the driveway", "no snow tires", "not goin' anywhere" and on and on. Can't blame them and I'm not surprised. It's brutal out there.

But wait! Two couples arrive. Old friends who are all accustomed to winter weather. One couple lived in Alaska, the other grew up in northern Montana. A little snow? Piece of cake! We eat, we drink, we visit, we laugh. We hug each other several times and stand in the kitchen and marvel at the snow falling and falling and falling. Later our daughter and son-in-law and his mother and sister and two little girls in parkas and fancy outfits arrive. Sofia's same age cousin is visiting from Ecuador. More food. I reheat the cider. We talk, we laugh. The girls play with my stash of toys and clatter through the house and dance in their shiny party shoes. A small party, but one of our best, I think. Thanks for coming, guys! We missed those of you who couldn't get here. We'll see you soon, I hope.

The dishes are done. The food is put away. (And if we're snowed in, we can eat for a week on what's left.) It is nearly midnight and the snow has stopped for now. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:31 AM

    And beautiful photos too. Ooh, I've come over all glowing and Christmassy!

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  2. Ooooo yes please. It's looks so cosy and warm especially with all that snow outside.

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  3. You home is lovely and warm. I like that you did not seem stressed by the weather and just took it in stride and enjoyed those who could make it out. We have the same weather here and today is my mom's Christmas. She is 84 and so upset, but I keep telling her we will all be there even the ones who are coming 2 hours away.
    Sure enough they left last nite before the snow started. So now she is happy and can enjoy the day.

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  4. Looks delightful. Sorry I couldn't make it over the river and up the hills! I have decided this is one way to keep my weight in check - go Holiday parties!!

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  5. Anonymous10:23 AM

    It was a very fun party indeed!!
    You were great hosts for the few--the brave! Ed and I enjoyed the food and especially the company!
    The drive home was snowy & blustery but not bad since most everyone stayed indoors and off the roads. Thanks again! Merry white Christmas!
    Beth

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  6. Anonymous3:00 PM

    I'm so glad you had your party -- it sounded (and looked) delightful. With your hundreds of friends showing up, you couldn't have had nearly so much fun with the two party-shoe-ed kids. And you never would have had the energy to get that lovely photo from the outside!

    Merry Christmas. We'll make it next year. June

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  7. So sorry we couldn't make it. We didn't even get to the other party we were invited to, in the evening, and that was just a few blocks from here. :-(

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