party photos today (words tomorrow)

 

It was a hit! Good friends, good food and yes, I am a bit tired this morning. Emma's Room seems to be perfect, as are the current occupants. 

another party?

 Yes. Yesterday up to Nicole's for a birthday party/fundraiser for Phil Hernandez (bottom photo) a 38 year old Democrat in the Virginia House of Delegates. He was refreshing and well spoken ~ a good turnout too from all of us pesky liberals in SF. (Nicole is on the right in the bottom photo.) 

let's party!

 Fuzzy (bottom photo, on the right) celebrated a milestone birthday and Doug and Barb picked me up and we headed to Oakland to enjoy all the joy in his backyard yesterday afternoon. Suzy and Fuzzy live in this amazing little neighborhood and there was much music, dancing and joy. Oh, and tons of good food and drink and an overall good feeling that somehow all is right in this world.

an afternoon party

 Laura loves stuff as you can see from the Abe Lincoln collection (bottom photo) and the kitchen photo above. We were only going to go for an hour, but ended up spending way longer. Suzy and I had a lot to chat about in the very soft chair and before we knew it, lordy, it was almost dinner time. Everyone brought food so that was terrific. Ellyn had returned from NYC, so that was the official reason for the party. 

the official photo

 Here, from Doug's camera, is our writing group last Sunday. Doug and Barb's new grand girl is featured on the left. What a party, what a group, what a day!

yes, another party!

 A young couple moved into Bernal Heights so Heidi and Rob hosted a party yesterday afternoon so we could all meet them and discuss how difficult it is to find a home in this cool (ahem) SF neighborhood. I'm sure that everyone had a good time, I know I did. We never got around to "must you park in front of MY house all the time?" but of course we will. 

party planning

 More about all of this excitement later. But we are gearing up for sister Jane's visit on December 1. I'm hosting a casual drop-in and meet party for her and nephew Tanner on the 4th. I know you can't read this clever invite created by the Blogmaid, but trust me, it is quite wonderful. Yippeee!

champagne and tapas

 Two of our neighbors are moving to Valencia, Spain, so Heidi and Rob produced this lovely party yesterday afternoon which meant, among other things, that I did not have to rustle up dinner. Their cat Ozzie is a delight and preferred the fireplace. I too have my fireplace going these days because our famous heavy Karl fog is upon us currently. I don't mind it the way I used to. Odd, that. 

a joyful, wonderful day

workers reunite!

huge cake ~ thank you Pamela

Ruby and Flora become fast friends (and cats)

I have NO idea how many people gathered yesterday, but the top photo
is just those of us who worked at the museum. These happy folk brought
food and family and so this little house was rockin'. There were many
tears of happiness as we hugged and laughed and did the "now who was
that tall blond guy who wouldn't work on weekends?" thing. I found an old
weekly work schedule from about 8 years ago and we studied that eagerly.
I'm putting things back in order today but there is no hurry. The warmth
of these deep friendships lingers today and I am content beyond words
and yes, very proud of myself for pulling this all together. There, I said it.

napkins, bowls, vases, nuts

My co-host, Joe, came over yesterday afternoon bringing a TON of flowers
which he patiently arranged in vases ~ so beautiful. Then we did a walk
through (retail term) and tweaked a few things and his suggestions were
always right on target. He scrubbed the filthy deck and hung Papel Picado
and we are ready to go. We will have a great time ~ it's all about the people
Ms. Stein, not what-matches-what or doesn't. Guests arrive at noon today.

party preparation, continued

I had some photos of my museum friends printed at Walgreen's and they
are now featured above the fireplace. Casa Stein is starting to sparkle a bit
after a lot of much-needed work from la Señora. I have NO idea how
many will show up on Sunday, but it will be crowded and wonderful.
Am I nervous? Hell, yes. I took this opportunity to donate a few more
of Husbando's things and it is as difficult 16 months after he died as it
was right after. This is how we learn ~ slowly and painfully. But hey,
we will celebrate on Sunday. You stay tuned as I stay positive.

our poetic Sunday with party

Poet Will Walker

Poet Karen Hildebrand

Cake!

Poetry books from my friends

What a fine day we had. The poetry reading was at the book-stuffed Bird
and Beckett bookstore on Chenery Avenue in Glen Park. I love that little
neighborhood. Then folks gathered at my home which sparkled due to
intense cleaning and I provided pizza, Chef Sarah brought green treats,
Blaze and her stuffed eggs and Suzy with the cake to honor Karen who
is here from NY. The poetry was delightful and Will dedicated a poem to
my Bill Stein who always loved his work. Sweet.

through the glass brightly

Annabelle is still in training and if allowed in the dining room there
would be chaos and unwanted drama. She loves flowers in vases,
but thinks they should be on the floor, not the table. So we work
around this by tricking her as I prepare for my writer friends to
gather this afternoon after a poetry reading. Pizza will be delivered
and guests will bring side dishes, wine, etc. And no rain so far today...

historic block party

view from 55 Mullen Ave. 

This was a first. A block party down the street. Mary Mullen bought a few
homes here back in the early 1900's and our neighbor Jerry did a LOT of
research and produced this fascinating pamphlet ~ each home had a
history too and so we all gathered to celebrate and get to know each
other. Bill would have loved this! The entire back of the home down at
55 featured our city skyline and for the first time I saw the back side of
the neighborhood community center, there with the picnic tables. The
back yards are a hodgepodge of no planning it seems, but fascinating
to study. The entire block turned out to drink, eat and talk. A very good thing...

we've been to a marvelous party

our salad "won" 1st place and was devoured

a few of the many tables of drinks

a few of the many tables for diners

lots of food, lots of happiness

food tables after dinner

one of the 3 (or 4 ?) dessert tables

Barb and Doug

Hostess Chef P (Sarah) and Doug

a few of the miles of lights

Every two years Chef P and Sam throw a huge party for 500 of their
closest friends and with my wonderful new schedule we were able to
go last night. Sam has a home, vineyard, gardens, barn, imagination
and many, many friends who can cook. Thanks to Doug and Barb we
didn't have to drive and could enjoy ourselves as we walked around
this beautiful land in the country. It was magical, especially after the
sun went down and all the lamps and lights came on. It has to be the
party of the century, at least for us. What an undertaking, we were
overwhelmed. As you know by now, I get a tad testy and nervous when
we entertain for six or more friends, so this is spectacular indeed.

Chef P said the secret to her fabulous macaroni was "artisan cheeses"
and everyone rushed to scoop that up before it disappeared. Doug and
Barb's tomato and watermelon (!) salad was outstanding and there was some
beef brisket on top of potatoes that was worth writing about. Then a
bucket of KFC chicken (artisan?) to amuse us, but no leftovers there either.

Special thanks to The Great Plotniks for driving us, once again. I'm sorry
I didn't get a photo of Sam, but he does appear in Tiapos party and
Passover pics in this very blog. Oh, how nice to carry the little iPhone
for photos, I had a bulky camera and left it in the car, on purpose.