Easy Sunday afternoon

Today is sunny and hot, a very typical early August day for this area. The relentless rain showers we were getting throughout the summer have finally slowed down. We had record amounts of rain in July, over 15 inches, and also a record number of days with measureable precipitation. Soggy, is how I would describe this summer so far! I'm glad we're getting stretches of days without rain, now that August is here. Almost every afternoon we've had bright blue skies filled with puffy, whiter-than-snow clouds and there's been a good breeze blowing. That's what today is like, and I'm glad the weather turned out so nice! I have plans later on.

A few friends are stopping by for a little mini cocktail party out on the patio. I plan to serve rum drinks (coconut rum mixed with pineapple juice and crushed ice) and fruit salad. Gus (who's no longer a puppy) will be coming along to play with Ginger. Gus' mom is also bringing along her 5 year old nephew, which was unexpected. He called her this morning and begged to come spend the night with her (he loves his auntie!) and she can't resist him. So she asked if she could bring him with her, and of course I said yes. I'm going to make him his own little "virgin" cocktail: pineapple juice over crushed ice with maraschino cherries and an umbrella straw! There will be lots of snacks, and he can run around in the backyard with Ginger and Gus while the adults talk. It should be fine.

I've kept my party very small and uncomplicated this time. The food and drinks are simple and mostly store-bought. I didn't feel up to my usual huge effort, and I don't want to be half exhausted and still getting ready when the guests arrive! Instead, I plan to take it easy and enjoy a nice summer afternoon with my friends. Stress free.

Ginger and her new best friend

It's yet another rainy, cold, nasty day here. Which is too bad, because we were hoping Ginger could have a play date with her buddy Gus. Remember Gus? The tiny 6 week old puppy that came to my party in September with his new mom? Well, he's not so tiny anymore! Although he's still growing, he already weighs over 60 pounds, and it's 60 pounds of pure puppy goofiness!

Gus is a sweetheart, and he's Ginger's new best friend....

Let's PLAY!

Puppy love

 

 

 

 

A beautiful Sunday with friends

Today is going to be a great day! Some friends and I decided as a mutual New Year's resolution to have small monthly get-togethers this year. It's so easy to let weeks slip by without any contact; everyone is busy and it's easy to put friendship on the back burner, so to speak. We've decided to do something about it this year, and today is the day we chose for our first gathering.

As a mini theme for the month of January we decided on "Beat the Midwinter Blues". We're going to have margaritas and a small potluck of "summery" dishes. (I plan to make miniature taco salads and provide the margaritas and iced tea.) The weather might as well have been special ordered for us; it's going to be 78F today! We're in the middle of a freak January warm spell this weekend, so we will get to have our party out back on the patio. The weather is beautiful, with a warm wind and blue skies. Gus the puppy is coming, too, so even Ginger will have a friend to play with!

It's going to be a fun day.

The cutest guest

This year, one of my friends brought a very special guest a our Mid Autumn Moon celebration. Everyone adored the new addition, with one notable exception. Ginger the dog was less than impressed.

Meet Gus:

Isn't he the cutest little guy ever? Gus is 6 weeks old and was adopted by my friend the day before our party. She brought him along to meet everyone, Ginger included. We're hoping Ginger and Gus will eventually become good friends and playmates.

Right now, Ginger mostly finds the little guy annoying. She also isn't crazy about me petting Gus or showing him any attention. I am hers, and she wants him to know it! She ended up getting way too many treats (party food) from all of our friends to distract her from the little bastard show-stealing pup. Come to think of it, maybe that was her plan all along!


All in all, we had a good time at the party. A few guests canceled at the last minute, but the people that mattered were there. We had awesome food, awesome lights and decorations, a puppy to play with, and lots of gossiping and drinking outside under the full moon. Actually, we only got one glimpse of the moon, around midnight. It had been cloudy and threatening rain all day, so I was satisfied that it at least stayed dry for our party. When we finally did get our one glimpse of the moon, I snapped a picture:

Happy Mid Autumn everyone!