The Party Continues - The Book Babes Edition

Last night was our annual Book Club Christmas Party. I can't even remember how many years we have been doing this, but it is always fun, filled with food and a great way to end our year of reading. After the food is finished I usually plan a game or two....sometimes there is a groan, sometimes there is an "oh goody" but this year I decided no games....I was just too busy. Remember I was sooo late in getting all my Christmas decorations up that I was still carrying boxes back down to the basement at 4:30, so unfortunately no party game planning time. Decided to ask everyone their greatest joys and their deepest sorrows for this past year and if they had any New Year's resolutions that they were going to try their darndest to keep. Fortunately, most of us had far more joys than sorrows. Some had lost loved ones, two had new grandbabies, all immediate families were gainfully employed except for one, most were healthy. So all in all a good year for us as a group. There are 11 of us, except 2 were missing last night due to sickness and a previous committment.

Resolutions are not at the top of the priority list for the new year, most have tried but failed in past years, but one kept her resolution last year and is continuing again this year with a slight twist. Donna is such a homebody and would rather stay at home than go out. Her husband, on the other hand would rather go out, take interesting trips, have fun. Donna's resolution last year was to not be hesitant when her husband suggested a trip and thus at the end of this year was delighted in the adventures they took. Now this year Donna has decided that at least once a month she will plan a nice outing for just she and her husband and not find themselves sitting home each weekend. Norma's resolution is to retire by the end of the year....hurray!! Gina is planning on taking time for herself (Gina has two children that she has homeschooled for several years)....yeah for Gina. And me, I want to take more photography courses to continue the learning process and possibly take a writing course at our local college. How about you, do you have any New Year's resolutions??

The tree was lit and the candles were burning bright to welcome my "Book Babes"

Everyone arrived, then the food and drink was served....Debbie concocted a delicious punch with vodka, wine, juices, fresh cranberries and oranges...Joanne made a salad and brought that delicious salad dressinThey g from Olive Garden and added aLOT more black olives to the salad.  Vicki brought a yum, yum good for you veggie casserole, Cathy's tasty dish was a pineapple souffle that was like an Hawaiian Hula in the mouth that enhanced the Ham that I made.  Ham was/is/will be delicious for a long time to come.  I bought a 10 pounder??? so I will have ham forever.  Thank goodness it freezes.  Julie graced us with the traditional green bean casserole with those crunchy onions on top, just something about this casserole that feels like home.  And Donna brought the ever-delightful cheesy baked potato casserole.  Loved that she put chex on top, so extra crunchy.  I don't know about you but give me a good crunch in any food.....nuts (any kind), chex, potato chips, corn chips, canned onions, water chestnuts, celery, jicama...love that crunch.  We were so full by the time dinner was over none of us had room for Gina's scrumptious apple crumb pie.  Gina sliced it, and we each took one home (will I didn't take it home, I just left it on the kitchen counter) to enjoy when the tummy craved food again.  I had mine with coffee this AM and enjoyed each bite.  Norma brought a candy tray with some of my favorite candy, the only thing I can say about Norma is, she didn't leave the candy tray accidentally sitting on the dining table which I was really hoping she would.  And she did bring Toby a little plate of doggie treats...which he managed to eat and enjoy.

JoAnn - we have been friends for at least 12 years....met at the Stamp Shack and have remained good friends....it's so nice to meet and keep good friends.

 Cathy, ooops not a good pic of Cathy...she is a beautiful lady but I certainly did not do her justice with this pic.

 Norma, one of the original members, along with me of the Book Babes.  Norma will be retiring in 2012, and is enjoying a new grandbaby, and didn't leave her candy tray.

Donna is the "let's keep this enjoying going out" girl....can't wait to hear what her first outing will be.

Vicki smiles all the time...and when she does her whole face lights up with gladness which brings everyone around her gladness and joy. 

Gina, bakes a mean apple pie and is planning "me" time for the New Year. 

Julie is our newest member...she is our quiet one, and oh so sweet.  She wanted to make sure I had a place to go for Christmas. 

And Deb....so sorry I didn't get a picture of Debbie.  I think she was finishing off the punch in the kitchen when I was taking individual pics.  But I do have this one....doesn't she have pretty polished fingernails and jewelry.  And she is really enjoying the plate full of delicious morsels each made with loving hands.  (I think they were all loving hands....at least I hope they were clean hands) 

 And me....wishing you all good cheer for Christmas and the New Year (especially if you make New Year's Resolutions.)

Just fyi for those of you who like to read or in a Book Club......our picks for 2012

• State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
• The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
• The End of the Affair by Graham Green
• Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin
• The Scent of Rain and Lightening A Novel by Nancy Picard
• Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
• The Note by Angela Hunt
• Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante

And we still have 2 more from the ladies that were not able to come to the party. 

"Ofcourse, the most indispensable ingredient of all good home cooking is love for those you are cooking for"  ~  Sophia Loren

Until next time.......