Holiday Lunch

Yesterday (Wednesday) we hosted a lunch for teachers and staff I used to work with at McMicken Heights Elementary. Most of the invited are now retired, but Chris, a former principal, Cathleen, my former reading program partner, and Dawna, one of the instructional assistants, are still working in the district. Cathleen took a long lunch from the administration offices where she now works. Chris, being a principal, excused herself from work for most of the afternoon. Dawna came after her work day was over. So we had some comings and goings among our seven guests, but it all worked out fine. I had a big pot of turkey soup on the stove to take away the chill of the below freezing outside temps. We provided rolls and croissants and fixings for little sandwiches, coffee and tea, and a little plate of the three kinds of cookies I've made so far. Others brought small salads, fruit, pumpkin bread and candied pecans. But mostly we just had a good time visiting around the table, catching up with each other's lives, and district gossip, of course. Then we had a little tour of the decorations and collections around the house. It was fun to share the things that are meaningful to us. Tom was wonderful. He joined us ladies at the table for lunch, and then quietly disappeared into the kitchen to do the clean up! By the time the last guest left, everything was done. What a guy! Today we're setting out to run errands, pick up various and assorted items, and have our photo card and Christmas letter printed. Then this afternoon I'll bake two more kinds of cookies, and get that part of the baking done. We'll work on cards this evening. Then tomorrow I need to get started on some sewing/embroidery projects I want to give as gifts. One of the good things about being busy is that I'm actually losing a little weight! It helps that I keep all of the cookies in the freezer except when we have company. We're having a wonderful holiday season so far, enjoying good weather, good health and good friends. I hope you are, too.