Saturday, December 20, 2008

Party

This weekend I am hosting my first annual Christmas blog party. You are all invited. It's an open house potluck so do come any time. I'll be providing some delicious home made eggnog, both with and without the brown liquid flavoring, and of course my world famous gumdrop cake. You can bring whatever you think we need to make it a real party.

The tree is decorated and I have all your presents wrapped and waiting by the prettiest tree we ever did have. I bought them all at the alternate gift bazaar I recently attended.

For my kids, grandkids and my Fowler cousins I purchased a gift of sight by paying for cataract surgery and eye care for someone who would otherwise be blind. This gift is in honor of Granddad Fowler and Gramma Byrtle, who lived their last years in blindness.

I next purchased training for a village health care worker and midwife in a village where there is no health care. I am giving this to my nurse friends, Cazzie, Julie, and Rosemary. I just knew you all would like it.

Sling, I got you something special. I paid for kitchen and bathroom cabinets to be used in a Habitat for Humanity home. I doubt they will be as beautiful as the ones you can build, but they will be appreciated by a family moving into their own home.
For my quilter friend ,Anne, I bought two warm blankets to keep a homeless person warm. They are not the beautiful works of art you create but they are warm.

I next bought some school supply kits to help needy children. I picked these for Lorraine and Jeannie and Tracy who work so hard to see that their kids have a good education.

Greeny, I knew this was just perfect for you. I picked garden tools and seeds to help people in the third world grow a garden so they can have good food to eat and to sell.

Middle Child, I had to think a bit before I picked your gift. Then I remembered you once said rain water was your favorite drink. For you I bought the gift of fresh, clean, safe water. You are helping people in Guatemala enjoy cool, clear water. Yolinna, thank for helping me pick out this gift.

John, I bought you a flock of chickens. I figured in your busy, full household you wouldn't mind having a bunch of chickens running around and laying eggs. Or maybe you can throw them in the back of the truck and tell a wonderful story about them. I know they will be appreciated.

I am giving Craig and Diane the gift of nutrition education and good food for the hungry to say thank you for all their work in bringing food to our tables.

Just Me, I am giving you a donation to the interfaith food pantry. It just seemed like the right gift from this Christian lady to the rabbi's wife.

Now that the gifts have been opened, enjoy another round of eggnog and enjoy the company of friends here at our blog party.

Merry Christmas. God bless us everyone.

17 comments:

John said...

You are too kind. I'll be there with bells on.

Cazzie!!! said...

Thankyou so very much for my gift, I will always appreciate it. To the party I will bring a centrepiece for the Christmas table, it is a gingerbread train, filled with Christmas treats for all to share :)

Unknown said...

What a great party, and I can't think of a better group of people to spend time with. Thank you so much for your gift, but more importantly, for your positive thoughts you always send our way. We are blessed and so are you!

Sling said...

This is the best Christmas ever!!
you got me the perfect gift mom.
I'm bringing banana nut bread..I love that stuff.

Tracy said...

Thank you for your lovely gift.
I'd like a glass of egg nog with the brown stuff.

Merry Christmas.

julie said...

I love my gift!! thanks!!! I'm bringing chocolate chip cake. Just like old times.

AM Kingsfield said...

How wonderfully thoughtful! I'm all teared up.

I'll bring my camera, and some hot mulled wine.

Mom said...

I'm so glad that you're all here. I do love a party. Cazzie the gingerbread train adds such a festive touch. Sling, I can see why you like this banana bread. Julie, the cake is just as good as ever. There's still plenty of eggnog or perhaps you want some of AM's mulled wine. Stay a while and enjoy the visit.

Lorraine said...

Oh, Mom, that is just the best thing ever. I'm going to bring my special chicken and leek pie...I made little individual ones for everyone because otherwise there might be fighting over portion size. It's pretty nummy.

I love that you did this!

MarkEC said...

I have to get out more.. I keep missing the Christmas parties this year! Maybe I can drop by for some leftovers and bring some home made chocolates?

Unknown said...

Im a tad late. Forgive me.

Fun, fun, fun! Thanks for that very thoughtful gift. I think my heart grew three sizes just now.
And now I am ready to party with some very cool people! The party is still in progress, right?
Oh, I brought some olive bruschetta and tasty crackers. Load me up on the eggnog with brown stuff too.
I'll get to AM's mulled wine as the evening progresses.
Good to see everybody here! Thank goodness Lorraine is here. Nice to meet all you new folks.
Sling, I've admired you from afar- nice to see you in the same room. John, you are looking well. Pull up a chair and tell me a story. Markec, you brought my favorite! Hope there is a dish of Rolaids somewhere.

Mom said...

Glad the rest of you made it. Of course the party is still going. You people keep bringing more goodies to eat and drink. Party on.

Yeklab1 said...

Aunt Sue -- I love your blog! I'm laughing and crying as I scroll through the past months. I knew it existed but have never visited. I love your pictures, you have Gma Byrtle pictures I haven't seen. And it's so nice to see all the details about your family. The parts about Aunt Jean and Uncle Bill had me crying, more than I do regularly when I see them and think about their lives. It is so nice to be able to have real conversations with Aunt Jean again, but the quality of life is just so sad to watch. Uncle Bill has been a spectacular husband, so caring and patiently devoted, but so so sad. My poor Uncle Bill. (And it was 40 years this year, not 39! I am the expert on this date since their anniversary is the day before my birthday. And they got married the day before I got my tonsils out so how can I forget!) Our Christmas will be a little empty without their presence this year, but we will go to visit and take Aunt Jean some gifts to open. Maybe help her start a new gift wrap and ribbon collection right in her room. All the best to all of you. Love, Julie

rosemary said...

Well, it figures I am late....the snow and all. Sue/mom I am blessed to have you as a blog friend. I think that at some point in time we will meet. I have had that feeling for awhile about you, Lorraine, Jennie and Madeline. We are off to the food bank tomorrow with our flats of broth, tomato soup and two nice butterball turkeys. We have to get ourselves plowed out first. Wishing you the most blessed of holidays and a better New Year.

Jennie said...

Oh I'm so happy to be here, late or not. I was here earlier but didn't have time to comment. I love this post, it's awesome! What a great party, perfect gifts, wonderful hostess. Merry Christmas Mom and everyone! I will have a big hunk of gumdrop cake please!

just me said...

thank you - it's perfect! Sorry we couldn't join in the festivities, but we just returned from out of town. see you soon!

Middle Child said...

Wonderful. I have three 10,000 gallon tanks full to the brim since the rain...I love rainwater to drink...to make tea with and to shower in...hopefully all those who are without good oue water will have access to this..it is a gift from Gid.