Hosting a Party

Hosting a holiday party is a lot of work, but it's worth it to see all of the happy faces of the guests and hear all of the lively chatter as old friends catch up with each other.

The McMicken Lunch Bunch was started 13 years ago when I retired from McMicken Heights Elementary School along with three other colleagues. We four began having monthly lunches together at local restaurants. As other McMicken teachers and aides retired, they asked to join us. We lost one of the original four, and another has health issues that cause infrequent participation, but on any given month, we have five to ten joining in for lunch somewhere. 

Somehow it fell on me to be the organizer, so that's what I do. And in December, if I feel up to it and the schedule permits, I host the lunch at my home.  I did this year, today in fact. As the email responses came in, I saw that it was going to be a big one! I think it might have something to do with the fact that I decorate, as you, dear readers, are aware. :-)

I cook some kind of hot dish, soup in the past, and this year, quiche. Others bring salads and rolls and desserts.

By 12:30 the house was full of ladies carrying on animated conversations.

 Tom knows most of these educator women and joins in when I am not keeping him busy being my "staff".  He is wonderful help. 

A few found a quiet spot to do some serious catching up. 

The kitchen counter, which I did not photograph ( I was busy), was full of salads and rolls. The dessert table was...., well, you can see!

And then we ate, and talked more, and ate more, and talked more. 

 I worked with all but one of these women at one time or another, and that one came the year I retired. These people have been friends for a long time. 

There were lots of hugs and thank you's as they slowly departed. I think they all had a good time. I was happy to have provided the opportunity for some holiday joy.