Parties and Celebrations

Here is the anni-versary card I made for Don the other day and the little quiltlet that shows through the oval. It is only about 5" x 7" so ought to fit nicely into a frame.

Don played golf yesterday morning and later, while we were eating lunch, we both remarked about what a gorgeous day it was. The sky was blue, she sun was shining, and the temperature was in the low 50s. We decided to take a drive to see some of the snow-covered mountains. Alas, we went in the wrong direction. The farther west we drove, the grayer it got. When it began to rain we decided to turn back. By this time, we only had about an hour of daylight left by then anyway. It was nice to get out onto the open road, though. The farther eastwas we drove, the brighter it was. The clouds were just beginning to be tinged with pink as we pulled into Comrie.

Last night we were at yet another drinks "do"--this one at the home of Liz and David Nicolson, who live on the western outskirts of Comrie on the road to St. Fillans. There were golfing buddies of Don's and chorus and book group pals of mine to chat with, as well as some of our usual Comrie friends whom we see regularly without much of an excuse.

We've added another couple of events to our social calendar too, one of which is at our home. Back in 2003 when we lived at the Old Jail, we went to some social gatherings at the homes of people who lived either adjacent to or near the Old Jail. Our immediate neighbour, Sam Hoggan (a "she"), loves Arizona and spends about a month there every February or March. Sue and William Levak, who live a few houses down, were temporarily stationed in New Mexico when William was seconded (pronounced "seCAHNded") to the US Air Force years ago. At one of the gatherings we all began to talk about chili and other southwestern food dishes. One thing led to another and someone mooted the idea of our holding a chili cook-off.

As these things often go, every time we would see one another for any length of time, the topic would arise and yet, after 4 years, there still hasn't been a chili cook-off. Recently, Don decided he simply had to make his pork and chipotle pepper chili. Once he had bought the ingredients we began to talk about inviting Sam, Sue and William, and Ros Schifner (who lives adjacent to Sam and who has been party to these same conversations), to share the chili with us. I decided that the cook-off would be between Don and me, so I will make Jane Brody's vegetable chili con carne. I always add lots of cinnamon to the recipe and so this chili more closely resembles Cincinnati-style chili. This way we'll have a "lethal" chili and a "tame" one. We set the date for the 2nd put out the invites. Only Ros can't make it but we'll send some leftovers with Sam (that is, if there are any).

So now we have the flambeaux parade on New Year's Eve followed by the annual first-footing open house at Christine and Jimmy Hepburns', dinner on New Years' Day with Syd and Lorna Peedle, and our Chili Cook-off on the 2nd. Ros is having her drinks "do" on Friday the 4th. And then Helen and Gordon will hold their annual New Years open house on the 6th. That's how to make the holidays last!