Party Plans

Good afternoon, Amanda.

I finally have a minute to sit and relax and write...yesterday after school I went straight to the hospital to visit with my mom. I stayed for about 3 hours (that frankly felt like 3 years) and headed out when M and V et. al. got there to take over. Unfortunately the traffic was horrific at the time and while I didn't want to wait in traffic, I also didn't want to stay at the hospital a minute longer than I needed to...so I went a little further away from Hartford and home and went out to dinner. It was nice to take a load off and have a nice glass of wine and steak (even though it wasn't really in my budget). By the time I got home, after being up at 5 and leaving the house at 6:45 am, it was 8:30 pm.

This morning I slept in a little then, after list making and coupon clipping, I hit the ground running. I did a little Christmas shopping, then ran my errands which included grocery shopping for this week and next weekend (when W is here) and the week following that and the party I'm going to tonight.

My cousin D is having a little get together and I'm bringing an appetizer. I was on the fence about going, but in the end decided to make the effort. There's always more to do and always another day to do it. More honestly, there's always tomorrow to be a hermit. Anyway. While I write, I have chicken in the oven to make some tarragon chicken salad (with candied pecans, celery, craisins) that I'll serve on English cucumber rounds. I made this last year for a couple of holiday parties I hosted, and it was quite good. Of course I haven't made it in a year so I don't quite remember how exactly I combined the Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, and Silver Palate recipes it represents. In the end, I'm sure it'll be fine.

Sounds like the award dinner was nice. I'm so glad J was honored for his service above and beyond the call.

Hope you have a good weekend in store.

Love, B