With fear and trepidation I got ready to attend a neighbor's party last
night. F&T because my husband received the phone call invitation a
couple of months ago and neither of us knew if it was a large bash or a
small dinner party. (He didn't ask any questions, of course.)

The first quandry was what to wear. The second, a hostess gift, was
easier--Bailey's Irish Cream since it's so close to St. Patrick's day.

We arrived to find the cul-de-sac filled with cars and the house filled
with half neighbors, half strangers, many of whom sported green in some
form.

Our host welcomed us and led us to the kitchen where a bartender offered
us a wide variety of drinks and an hors d'oeuvre bar. We circulated
among he guests for ah hour, at which time a dinner buffet was
announced. Delicious BBQ brisket, sliced roast turkey, a multi-veg cole
slaw, potato salad, cruditees, and BARB'S GRADUATION BEANS!!!! When I
first read her recipe I wasn't captivated, but man,those were some
delicious beans! Dessert was a variety of squares--lemon, caramel
brownie, carrot cake, butter cookies, etc.

The best surprise--after dinner everyone gathered in the living room and
connected dining room where the host handed out bound songbooks.
There was a hired combo and friends playing to guitars, drums, clarinet,
harmonica, with the host on the grand piano. Holy moley, they were
good! They played a wide variety from WWII songs, Irish standards, 60s
folk songs, show tunes, etc. for three hours. People loved it--hardly
any of the 50+ guests, ages 8-80 something, left early. Some of my
neighbors have great voices (solo) and terrific stage presence. One guy,
a Vermonter who always seemed very reserved and quiet, absolutely
bloomed. He has a wonderful voice and looked so relaxed and happy.

Evidently this is an annual tradition. The thing that makes this party
more special is that the hostess is a double amputee in a wheelchair and
has MS in addition. She is a cheerful, delightful lady. He is an
attorney and retired judge. And their house is right out of a magazine,
absolutely gorgeous with a wheelchair-accessible kitchen to die for.
Now to write an appropriate thank-you note.

gloria p

Gloria P wrote:
>
> With fear and trepidation I got ready to attend a neighbor's party last
> night. F&T because my husband received the phone call invitation a
> couple of months ago and neither of us knew if it was a large bash or a
> small dinner party. (He didn't ask any questions, of course.)
>
<snipped for brevity>

> gloria p
>
>
Sounds like an absolutely terrific evening, as well as that you live in
a great neighbourhood with wonderful neighbours!

Gloria P said...

<snipped for brevity>


Gloria P,

Is that cool or what?!!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing. Great party report!

Best,

Andy

flitterbit wrote:
> Gloria P wrote:
>>
>> With fear and trepidation I got ready to attend a neighbor's party
>> last night.
> <snipped for brevity>
>
>> gloria p
> >
> >
> Sounds like an absolutely terrific evening, as well as that you live in
> a great neighbourhood with wonderful neighbours!


Yes, most of 'em. Sometimes it all comes together perfectly and
last night was one of those occasions.

gloria o

Gloria P wrote:

> Now to write an appropriate thank-you note.

I think you just did.

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

On Sun, 15 Mar 2009 11:46:01 -0600, Gloria P >
wrote:

>
>With fear and trepidation I got ready to attend a neighbor's party last
>night. F&T because my husband received the phone call invitation a
>couple of months ago and neither of us knew if it was a large bash or a
>small dinner party. (He didn't ask any questions, of course.)

(snip story)

>Evidently this is an annual tradition. The thing that makes this party
>more special is that the hostess is a double amputee in a wheelchair and
>has MS in addition. She is a cheerful, delightful lady. He is an
>attorney and retired judge. And their house is right out of a magazine,
>absolutely gorgeous with a wheelchair-accessible kitchen to die for.
>Now to write an appropriate thank-you note.

It sounds like a great time was had by all...

On Mar 15, 1:46*pm, Gloria P > wrote:
> With fear and trepidation I got ready to attend a neighbor's party last
> night. *F&T because my husband received the phone call invitation a
> couple of months ago and neither of us knew if it was a large bash or a
> small dinner party. *(He didn't ask any questions, of course.)
>
> The first quandry was what to wear. *The second, a hostess gift, was
> easier--Bailey's Irish Cream since it's so close to St. Patrick's day.
>
> We arrived to find the cul-de-sac filled with cars and the house filled
> with half neighbors, half strangers, many of whom sported green in some
> form.
>
> Our host welcomed us and led us to the kitchen where a bartender offered
> us a wide variety of drinks and an hors d'oeuvre bar. *We circulated
> among he guests for ah hour, at which time a dinner buffet was
> announced. *Delicious BBQ brisket, sliced roast turkey, a multi-veg cole
> slaw, potato salad, cruditees, and BARB'S GRADUATION BEANS!!!! *When I
> first read her recipe I wasn't captivated, but man,those were some
> delicious beans! *Dessert was a variety of squares--lemon, caramel
> brownie, carrot cake, butter cookies, etc.
>
> The best surprise--after dinner everyone gathered in the living room and
> * connected dining room where the host handed out bound songbooks.
> There was a hired combo and friends playing to guitars, drums, clarinet,
> harmonica, with the host on the grand piano. *Holy moley, they were
> good! *They played a wide variety from WWII songs, Irish standards, 60s
> folk songs, show tunes, etc. for three hours. *People loved it--hardly
> any of the 50+ guests, ages 8-80 something, left early. *Some of my
> neighbors have great voices (solo) and terrific stage presence. One guy,
> a Vermonter who always seemed very reserved and quiet, absolutely
> bloomed. *He has a wonderful voice and looked so relaxed and happy.
>
> Evidently this is an annual tradition. *The thing that makes this party
> more special is that the hostess is a double amputee in a wheelchair and
> has MS in addition. *She is a cheerful, delightful lady. *He is an
> attorney and retired judge. *And their house is right out of a magazine,
> absolutely gorgeous with a wheelchair-accessible kitchen to die for.
> Now to write an appropriate thank-you note.
>
> gloria p

Great party! Congrats on landing such a great neighbor.

It's so nice to see people with setbacks not let it get them down,
too.

Glad you had fun,
Kris

"Gloria P" > wrote in message
...
>
> With fear and trepidation I got ready to attend a neighbor's party last
> night. F&T because my husband received the phone call invitation a couple
> of months ago and neither of us knew if it was a large bash or a small
> dinner party. (He didn't ask any questions, of course.)
>
> The first quandry was what to wear. The second, a hostess gift, was
> easier--Bailey's Irish Cream since it's so close to St. Patrick's day.
>
> We arrived to find the cul-de-sac filled with cars and the house filled
> with half neighbors, half strangers, many of whom sported green in some
> form.
>
> Our host welcomed us and led us to the kitchen where a bartender offered
> us a wide variety of drinks and an hors d'oeuvre bar. We circulated among
> he guests for ah hour, at which time a dinner buffet was announced.
> Delicious BBQ brisket, sliced roast turkey, a multi-veg cole slaw, potato
> salad, cruditees, and BARB'S GRADUATION BEANS!!!! When I first read her
> recipe I wasn't captivated, but man,those were some delicious beans!
> Dessert was a variety of squares--lemon, caramel brownie, carrot cake,
> butter cookies, etc.
>
> The best surprise--after dinner everyone gathered in the living room and
> connected dining room where the host handed out bound songbooks. There was
> a hired combo and friends playing to guitars, drums, clarinet, harmonica,
> with the host on the grand piano. Holy moley, they were good! They
> played a wide variety from WWII songs, Irish standards, 60s folk songs,
> show tunes, etc. for three hours. People loved it--hardly any of the 50+
> guests, ages 8-80 something, left early. Some of my neighbors have great
> voices (solo) and terrific stage presence. One guy, a Vermonter who always
> seemed very reserved and quiet, absolutely bloomed. He has a wonderful
> voice and looked so relaxed and happy.
>
> Evidently this is an annual tradition. The thing that makes this party
> more special is that the hostess is a double amputee in a wheelchair and
> has MS in addition. She is a cheerful, delightful lady. He is an
> attorney and retired judge. And their house is right out of a magazine,
> absolutely gorgeous with a wheelchair-accessible kitchen to die for.
> Now to write an appropriate thank-you note.
>
> gloria p

What a great surprise.

Good for them and good for you!

Dimitri

In article >,
Gloria P > wrote:

> Evidently this is an annual tradition. The thing that makes this party
> more special is that the hostess is a double amputee in a wheelchair and
> has MS in addition. She is a cheerful, delightful lady. He is an
> attorney and retired judge. And their house is right out of a magazine,
> absolutely gorgeous with a wheelchair-accessible kitchen to die for.
> Now to write an appropriate thank-you note.
>
> gloria p

Sounds utterly marvelous. :-) Glad you had a good time!
--
Peace! Om

I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe. -- Dalai Lama

"Gloria P" > wrote in message
...
>
> With fear and trepidation I got ready to attend a neighbor's party last
> night. F&T because my husband received the phone call invitation a couple
> of months ago and neither of us knew if it was a large bash or a small
> dinner party. (He didn't ask any questions, of course.)
>
> The first quandry was what to wear. The second, a hostess gift, was
> easier--Bailey's Irish Cream since it's so close to St. Patrick's day.
>
> We arrived to find the cul-de-sac filled with cars and the house filled
> with half neighbors, half strangers, many of whom sported green in some
> form.
>
> Our host welcomed us and led us to the kitchen where a bartender offered
> us a wide variety of drinks and an hors d'oeuvre bar. We circulated among
> he guests for ah hour, at which time a dinner buffet was announced.
> Delicious BBQ brisket, sliced roast turkey, a multi-veg cole slaw, potato
> salad, cruditees, and BARB'S GRADUATION BEANS!!!! When I first read her
> recipe I wasn't captivated, but man,those were some delicious beans!
> Dessert was a variety of squares--lemon, caramel brownie, carrot cake,
> butter cookies, etc.
>
> The best surprise--after dinner everyone gathered in the living room and
> connected dining room where the host handed out bound songbooks. There was
> a hired combo and friends playing to guitars, drums, clarinet, harmonica,
> with the host on the grand piano. Holy moley, they were good! They
> played a wide variety from WWII songs, Irish standards, 60s folk songs,
> show tunes, etc. for three hours. People loved it--hardly any of the 50+
> guests, ages 8-80 something, left early. Some of my neighbors have great
> voices (solo) and terrific stage presence. One guy, a Vermonter who always
> seemed very reserved and quiet, absolutely bloomed. He has a wonderful
> voice and looked so relaxed and happy.
>
> Evidently this is an annual tradition. The thing that makes this party
> more special is that the hostess is a double amputee in a wheelchair and
> has MS in addition. She is a cheerful, delightful lady. He is an
> attorney and retired judge. And their house is right out of a magazine,
> absolutely gorgeous with a wheelchair-accessible kitchen to die for.
> Now to write an appropriate thank-you note.
>
> gloria p



Thank you for this wonderful account. It sounds like a glorious time was
had by all! I'd write and simply say "thank you for an enchanting evening"


Jill

On Sun 15 Mar 2009 10:46:01a, Gloria P told us...

> With fear and trepidation I got ready to attend a neighbor's party last
> night. F&T because my husband received the phone call invitation a
> couple of months ago and neither of us knew if it was a large bash or a
> small dinner party. (He didn't ask any questions, of course.)

What a wonderful surprise, then, to have such a gracious evening with good
friends, good food, and good entertainment!

--
Wayne Boatwright

"One man's meat is another man's poison"
- Oswald Dykes, English writer, 1709.

Wayne Boatwright wrote:
> On Sun 15 Mar 2009 10:46:01a, Gloria P told us...
>
>> With fear and trepidation I got ready to attend a neighbor's party
>> last night. F&T because my husband received the phone call
>> invitation a couple of months ago and neither of us knew if it was a
>> large bash or a small dinner party. (He didn't ask any questions,
>> of course.)
>
> What a wonderful surprise, then, to have such a gracious evening with
> good friends, good food, and good entertainment!

I wonder how the invitation came about, sounds as if it was out
of the blue. That was a great story, Gloria.

nancy

Gloria P wrote:
> The best surprise--after dinner everyone gathered in the living room
> and connected dining room where the host handed out bound songbooks.
> There was a hired combo and friends playing to guitars, drums,
> clarinet, harmonica, with the host on the grand piano. Holy moley,
> they were good! They played a wide variety from WWII songs, Irish
> standards, 60s folk songs, show tunes, etc. for three hours. People
> loved it--hardly any of the 50+ guests, ages 8-80 something, left
> early. Some of my neighbors have great voices (solo) and terrific
> stage presence. One guy, a Vermonter who always seemed very reserved
> and quiet, absolutely bloomed. He has a wonderful voice and looked so
> relaxed and happy.

Sounds like a wonderful party. Can you tell us what hors d'oeuvre's
were served?

They must have a big house to handle dinner for 50+ people. We are
having a dinner party in June for 22 people, including us, and I am
afraid it will be too crowded.


Becca