I finished up January by having three of my favorite friends over for lunch, and we had the most wonderful time. I've been so busy working on building my new website, Valentine etsy items, and inventory for my booth space, that I was developing a case of cabin fever. I decided to invite three friends over for a mid week lunch. It would be just enough people to fill my dining table, and I wanted it to be comfortable and fun; a relaxed, low key gathering.
I hit the trifecta of guest list party planning, as we are all basically the same age, all related to the junk business in some way, and individually, all of us were already good friends with each other. it was such a great people-combination that we were standing in my kitchen talking and laughing for a full hour before we made it to the dining table for lunch!
Lunch was low key, (A cranberry chicken salad and a variety of breads, and for dessert I baked my favorite snowball cookies for most likely the last time for the winter season, and made dipped pretzels to go along with them.
I don't know why, but I always forget just exactly how much I love to bake until I actually pull out my mixer, and then it comes flooding back to me, that feeling of heaven on earth, and all is right with the world. Even before the dough hits the oven, I am envisioning my sweet creations on display, whether it is going on a fancy cake pedestal, or in a simple to-go box. I start on one recipe, and before I know it, I've coordinated another treat to round things out for the perfect dessert presentation. (That's how the dipped pretzels ended up on my dessert plate.)
The time quite literally flew by, and, while lunch lasted over four and hours, (I know!!) I don't think any of us felt like we were done talking. (Oh! I love it when that happens!!) Making time to take a pause in my jam packed week of to-do and gotta-get-done lists was exactly what I needed. Not only do I feel blessed and grateful to have such great friends, but I feel rejuvenated and inspired to do even more with all that I am working on.
Such a good feeling!
I learned (once again) that sometimes, when we are at one of those crazy-busy-buried-by-our-to-do-list stages in life, and we feel we cannot (or should not) spare the time, is when we need it most.
