I took a few pictures the other night when my friends came over for our little belated birthday/vaccination party.
First, the table with my china rabbits, the birthday cake, and the punchbowl full of Sparkling Strawberry Margarita punch.
Except, of course, when the two toddlers were finally reunited!
Buddies.
It was certainly good to see my friends again, but I must admit it felt a little awkward at times. There would be sudden silences when no one could seem to think of anything to say next. Halfway through the party, I had to go sit on the porch by myself for five minutes or so. I was feeling a tiny bit overwhelmed. (Marla and Martina were inside having a spirited conversation about something so I don't think they noticed). They both went home a little earlier than normal, and I think we were all tired. Everyone acknowledged that we've gotten out of the habit of socializing in person and it just feels a bit strange. Who knows how long it will take before seeing friends will feel normal and comfortable again? Still, we had a good time and hopefully this is the start of more ordinary life again!
My neighbor Luella is back in the hospital. I woke up early Easter morning to the sight of an ambulance taking her away and we've been really worried about her. Today I texted her just on the off chance she or her daughter might see it and respond and let us know how things were going. Well, Miss Luella herself texted me back! She says she's very weak and will be in the hospital for a few days, but despite all that she seems to be in good spirits. I texted her back and told her how pretty her yard looks today, and she asked if I could snap some pictures and send them to her. Could I?!
She was so happy to get these photos! I told her to hurry up and get well and come back, her little house misses her! :)
I hope you all had a nice Easter (if you celebrate it) or a nice spring weekend!
That cake looks delicious as hell!! It wouldn't be devil's food, would it? Your eggs look great! I didn't do any this year. In fact, it didn't occur to me until Easter Sunday when I saw the girl behind looking for eggs in her yard.
ReplyDeleteThe cake was yellow layers with chocolate icing in between.
Deleteit will take time to relearn the things we did prior to 2020. but SO HAPPY you were able to see your friends! pretty colored eggs too!
ReplyDeleteI love all the Easter egg colors!
DeleteLovely post - I envy you your weather. Those eggs are so pretty and as I said before that cake lookse divine.
ReplyDeleteOur weather has been absolutely gorgeous! Probably some of the best weather we'll have all year, to be honest.
DeleteNice post. Perhaps you need a little wine to lubricate the next meeting with Marla and Martina. I am sure that you are not alone in feeling a certain awkwardness about resuming social gatherings.
ReplyDeleteWe had margarita punch, so there was some alcohol. We didn't drink very much, though.
DeleteConversations will be difficult for awhile as this year has changed us all in some way. There is awkwardness in many of our first meet-ups.
ReplyDeleteYes, it wasn't too bad, just enough to feel slightly "off".
DeleteNow THAT is a cake!!!! It's nice to see some embrace and have fun with the Easter weekend. How can one not be happy when seeing colored eggs?
ReplyDeleteWe really enjoyed dyeing them! Lots of fun!
DeleteWhat a beautiful house and yard Luella has. Socializing is sure to seem strange for a while. Your table looked great.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Thank you Janie!
DeleteDid you eat all those eggs, or were they just for decoration? They looks so good all being coloured like that.
ReplyDeleteWe each had a dozen, so I only kept 12. I can't speak for my friends, but Gregg and I ate all of ours over the next few days. I made deviled eggs with some and then I made Scotch eggs with the rest.
DeleteI've just been catching up on your posts. I have one suggestion about your neighbour, or anyone, offers of help are great but people are often reluctant to accept so one way to make it easier is to really specific "I'm headed to the shops, can I get you some fruit?" They might say no to the fruit but ask if you can grab bread.
ReplyDeleteYour coloured eggs are so so pretty and the little ceramic bunnies just add to the scene. Also, I swear I had the exact same punch bowl! I gave it away when I realised I'd probably never use it again, I just don't really have the energy for entertaining
I think that's a great suggestion. I texted her yesterday and asked if I could bring her some decent food since she's in the hospital, and she said that would be great if she had any appetite....
DeleteIt sounds like a wonderful get together! I think we all feel a little different after a year of not seeing people. I'm sure with time things will fall back into place. I love the picture of the two toddlers!
ReplyDeleteMarco and Carsen seem to like each other. Mentally they're about the same age!
DeleteApart from my family, I have not seen any friends in person for a long time and wonder how awkward I would feel - I certainly don't enjoy the crowds at the supermarket or the post office, where I spent my lunch break yesterday to post a parcel for my Mum!
ReplyDeleteStill, I am happy you got to meet your friends, and Carsen enjoyed her time at your house with the fish and Marco :-)
Yes, that cake looks great, and the eggs are very pretty.
I'm sure it's going to take us all a while to adjust to "normal" life again when this is finally all over.
DeleteI didn't think Carsen could get any cuter! And that photo of her staring at the aquarium reminds me of Dr. Seuss art.
ReplyDeleteI know! She looks like a little Who.
DeleteIt only seems about 6 months since that gorgeous little girl was a baby! How old is she now? We are hoping to meet our 4 " besties", for the first time in months, on Friday evening, but it has to be outside and the temperature is going to be only around 8C...that is 46 in " F". ! They have a gazebo and an outdoor heater so hope it won't be too chilly!
ReplyDeletePS I would love to see a photo of your aquarium. I have a 3 ft long cold water tank with 5 " fantail" goldfish. I gave up on tropicals years ago! Cold water fish are so much easier!
I'll post some pictures of the aquarium soon. Carsen will be three next month. We have goldfish in one of the aquariums at work--people love looking at them!
DeleteWow, I haven't dyed Easter eggs in SO long! Yours came out really well. Glad you were able to get together and socialize -- I know what you mean about awkwardness. I've read so many articles saying that we're all out of practice and this will be one of the hurdles of returning to "normal." I'm sure your neighbor appreciated those photos!
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to color eggs, I suggest you try it next year! They sure do look pretty!
DeleteI second your comment about meeting up feeling strange and, at times, uncomfortable. Only met up with a family member from the west coast who came in to town (not staying with me), but it was indeed a bit strange. Was happy to head home though the traffic was so awful it added another layer of discomfort to the day. Was good to get back in my four walls.
ReplyDeleteWishing Miss Luella may be home again soon. Lovely of you to send her those photos. The best kind of medicine.
I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling strange and slightly uncomfortable when meeting up with friends/family these days!
DeleteI am sure that despite some awkwardness, the little gathering did you very well. But yeah- it's hard. We've come to accept and even enjoy a more quiet solitude and then suddenly- oh! time to party!
ReplyDeleteWell.
Such beautiful pictures, Jennifer. Thank you for sharing them.
And I'm hoping that Luella gets better soon and can come home to her beloved house and yard.
Luella says she'll be in the hospital for a few more days. She seems to be in good spirits, which is a good sign. Though to be fair she's always cheerful so I'm not sure if that's any real indication of how she's doing.
DeleteThat looks like a yummy party! We will get used to being all together again, but it will take time!
ReplyDeleteYou are a sweet neighbor - hope Luella is home soon.
I hope she comes home soon, too! She's a sweet lady and a good neighbor.
DeleteAlthough as you said it was short, it was at least a small step back to normal. I do hope your neighbor returns home soon.
ReplyDeleteWell, it wasn't terribly short, just short by our usual standards. :)
DeleteI love the way that children can become so focused - watching the aquarium reminds me of my youngest who used to stare at all things mechanical. We'd take him out for nature walks and he's find a tractor to look at... or to the canal where he'd try to work out the locks and sluices... or the beach where he'd play with the boat anchors...
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter
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