Gathering

Yesterday's gathering was wonderful.  I think next time we will limit the number of guests, though.  I thought that those who would not fit at the dining room table (which holds 8 or 9) would sit around the big coffee table in the livingroom, but no . . .  They ended up standing around the big kitchen island.  I HATED seeing people eating standing up! 

Got so busy I forgot to take pictures, though.  Darn!  Wish I had. 

My boss, John and his wife Karen came by with Khayenne, one of his Golden Retrievers.  John tells me she is following in Lillian's footsteps and will be acting in a play soon.  She is such a sweetheart.  And she and Joey got along great.

We told folks NOT to bring anything even though it WAS Mark's 62nd birthday (I know, I know . . . so I robbed the cradle).  But Stephanie brought some gorgeous flowers for the "new dog mom and dad" anyway.   LOVE them!

And Janet and Mike brought all SORTS of munchies like exotic cheeses and breads and cookies to nibble on before dinner.  Actually, I am happily nibbling on them at this moment!  Yum.  (Particularly love the orange biscotti!  PERFECT with this morning's coffee.)  As a matter of fact, we will probably be grazing on the leftovers from yesterday for the whole rest of the week!  Perfect!  I HATE cooking or one or two! 

Richard gave Mark an antique pocket watch from 1932!  (He's very into all sorts of clocks and watches.)  Mark loves it.

But today, after the fact, the best part of yesterday's gathering is the fact that in anticipation of guests our office FINALLY got cleaned up.  THAT part will last!  Hey - I can actually open the closet door again.  The old saddles and rolls of fabric that were piled in front of the door have been put away or thrown out at last.  So now I think I'll go enjoy the clean house and some more of the stuff from the refrigerator full of yummy leftovers!  Later . . .