My mother and I go to a Park District exercise class together. It meets three days a week at 8:30, and runs for 45 minutes. I was excused from class on Friday because, for the third year in a row, we were hosting the class to a brunch.
The idea first came about when I was moaning that no one ever visits our house when the flowers are at their peak. I said that the whole class was welcome to visit, and they took me up on it. We had such a great time that it's become an annual event. Long term members talk it up with the newer members and everyone who can join us, turns out.
So, Thursday night, when I really wanted to be visiting my newest grandchild, I was making Baked Ziti and Chicken and Ham Tetrazini casseroles for Friday's brunch.
The house was cleaned very early Friday morning, and tables were set with china for 24 people. We arranged flowers and heated the casseroles, and then guests began streaming in. Just as we sat down to eat we had one more person join us, and we made room.
We had a lovely day, despite the cloudy weather. My gardens were at their peak and provided lots of discussion. Everyone brought a dish to pass. I didn't tell them what to bring, or even organize it, and we had a wonderful meal. My mother announced in class that SHE hoped everyone would bring a chocolate dessert!
Some of my classmates asked about my quilts, and they all clustered into my bedroom to see what I was working on. One of the ladies asked me just how many projects I had started at one time, when I showed them eight tops in various stages of preparation.
I had a great time. It was delightful to share my home with my friends, and I hope we'll do it again next year!
Comments (3)
More power to you and it's great that there are people willing to put out the effort, as you do!!! Twenty-four people? Gad! Clean house on the same day? Good grief! It sounds like you had a wonderful time being the gracious hostess to your exercise friends. (Bet they had glowing reports of it to their families!)
Posted by Cop Car | May 23, 2004 10:24 AM
Posted on May 23, 2004 10:24
Sounds wonderful! I'm glad it went so well, though I know it must have been hard not being able to spend more time with the new baby!!
Posted by Kristi | May 24, 2004 12:02 AM
Posted on May 24, 2004 00:02
We had a wonderful time! When my family gathers there are usually a lot more than 24 sitting down to dinner, so this was pretty easy, and I've had some practice at it. They were VERY complimentary at exercise on Monday. Our leader is having a wedding reception for her daughter in June, and she asked me who had CATERED our meal! lol I was speachless for a moment before I told her that *I* had cooked the casseroles. Her eyes lit up, and you could see her trying to figure out how to get me to do it for her! lol And I just might!
Kristi, I particularly minded not getting to go to the hospital on the night the baby was born, but it worked out. My step-daughter's mother got to be with her that day, and she let me have the baby to myself on Friday. They're home now, so I should get DH to organize a trip to visit.
Posted by Buffy | May 25, 2004 8:39 PM
Posted on May 25, 2004 20:39