Having fun a few years ago

 Food of course!

 Kids and families...and a bit of dressing with flare!

A bit of chocolate indulgence

Thanks for thinking of a Mardi Gras party! It was fabulous!

Yes a brass band from the High School...most fun music, almost!

 The King and Queen of the Mardi Gras (of Black Mountain at least!)

My purple friends, Teresa and Tina!

 And Diane, another purple loving friend!

 Jim and Su discuss something fun planned for later!

 We loved Evelyn and miss her fun games!

 Carolyn and Milt in their "street clothes."

 David sometimes moved away from the chocolate fountain...

 Mary has the best smile in the whole world!

More brass band!

 What happens when a minister meets a queen?

A minister (Rev. Michael Carter) of many talents...here he's reading Susan's tarot cards!

 Let's decorate masks!

 A fortune teller in broad light (why is it the tallest man wears a taller turban?)
...or

"Tell your fortune, m'lady?"

 And  then there was the Karaoke! Jim and Bill had some kind of duet.

Su, Milt and Carolyn did a trio with the mikes...

So these old (but fond) photos of a party will be my submission for Sepia Saturday this week!

But wait, we're having another party tonight...oh, I'll have to save the photos for at least a couple of years to post for SS!

Turning 60

A friend had a recent birthday.

It was the most momentous thing to happen in her life (at least for a while).
I've shared many experiences with her, and she just exudes joy whenever something special happens, and has similar emotions of sorrow and anger which I've witnessed also.

So she prepared at least 6 months for her turning 60.  Her daughters were involved and organized a party with all her children and grandchildren and various in-laws and girlfriends, and a few of her old friends.

I was happy to take part in an adult version of a children's birthday party.  But I skipped playing bingo.  And I took many of the pictures!

The grandchildren enjoyed playing around, running in circles, teasing each other, throwing things, especially the balloons.

We enjoyed a light lunch before the cupcakes...

A happy year is wished for Teresa from all her family and friends.

Twas the night before

Not only all the presents to prepare for an extended family, but a dinner at a family member's home nearby, with lots of people to take presents for that occasion!

Fortunately this year, this household is going to grandma's for Christmas dinner.  So today's cooking was just a batch of gingerbread cookies (for Santa of course.)  That was after my 10-year old granddaughter made waffles for breakfast!

The house where tonight's party was held!

Our hostess

Our host holding his youngest son while oldest looks on

A right Jolly old Elf

She trimmed the carrots for the reindeer

And arranged them in an "R" on the front porch

While the littlest peeled the paper off the candy cane

Which promptly melted in the hot cocoa that had been prepared by sister number 2

Yes there are the gingerbread men for Santa as well.

Hair and teeth brushed and ready for...

A shared reading of the Night Before Christmas...then to bed for the kids, and you know the other little mice tiptoed around late into the night, aka parental Santa impersonators.