Best One Yet!
Last night our work, church, community and kayaking lives came together in a rare confluence of song, food and fun. Yes, it was our annual (13th for those of you keeping track) Christmas caroling party. We had about 50 guests. Maybe 25 came out to carol with us, but everyone came back for Stevie's wonderful dinner. It was mad fun as always.
It started about 45 years ago or so, when my mom used to have caroling parties for us kids. We'd go out, sing for the neighbors, and then come back to beef stew. When my kids were small, I thought it would be fun for them to have the same experience (I'm telling you, my mom was that Party Meister; she threw the best parties for us), so they asked a few friends each, we'd go out in the neighborhood and then come back for chili and cornbread. One year I mentioned to Paul that maybe some of our adult friends would enjoy coming to a caroling party, so we invited some of our friends, the girls invited theirs, and a tradition was born.
A few years ago I admitted defeat; I couldn't do the cooking for all those people and stay sane. I hired a caterer who did a great job. The next year it occurred to me that I had a wonderful cook in the family who could certainly use the money, so now Stevie and Lindsay come from Troy for a long weekend and cook and serve and clean up. I pay them, of course, and it's a really nicely symbiotic relationship I think.
So yesterday people came. We maintained an old tradition in our lovely old neighborhood, and came back for food and wine and conversation. It was a great evening. Here's to many more.
It started about 45 years ago or so, when my mom used to have caroling parties for us kids. We'd go out, sing for the neighbors, and then come back to beef stew. When my kids were small, I thought it would be fun for them to have the same experience (I'm telling you, my mom was that Party Meister; she threw the best parties for us), so they asked a few friends each, we'd go out in the neighborhood and then come back for chili and cornbread. One year I mentioned to Paul that maybe some of our adult friends would enjoy coming to a caroling party, so we invited some of our friends, the girls invited theirs, and a tradition was born.
A few years ago I admitted defeat; I couldn't do the cooking for all those people and stay sane. I hired a caterer who did a great job. The next year it occurred to me that I had a wonderful cook in the family who could certainly use the money, so now Stevie and Lindsay come from Troy for a long weekend and cook and serve and clean up. I pay them, of course, and it's a really nicely symbiotic relationship I think.
So yesterday people came. We maintained an old tradition in our lovely old neighborhood, and came back for food and wine and conversation. It was a great evening. Here's to many more.