Monday Musings...

Backing up to last Thursday, I had a dentist appointment for my six-month cleaning.  I was very happy that everything looked good to the hygienist and to the dentist when he came in to look.  

Thursday evening, instead of going out with my Mas Verde friends for our usual dinner, I begged off with them because old friends I haven't seen in at least a year invited me and mutual friends, Mike and Mary Ellen, to dinner at Grillsmith.  

When Joe and I went to Resurrection Catholic Church (1999-2019), there were eight of us who planned dinners at rotating homes about once a month, sometimes two months.  (We were also all on the Relay For Life Team.)  Time passes.  One couple, Fran and Bob, moved north to Ocala.  Ernest and Luisa moved into a gated community when they retired and started traveling often.  Mike and Mary Ellen started spending months at a time in Pennsylvania, caring for aging parents (only one left now, and she turns 100 next month!).  Joe passed away, and my life changed.  I've seen Mike and Mary Ellen a few times when they were back in Lakeland. They came to my house for Easter dinner last year and are coming again this year.  It was good for the five of us to reconnect over a great dinner and lots of catching up.  I didn't take any photos. 

Fasting labs were on Friday morning, in prep for my four-month appointment with my primary this week.  I love that the results are posted to "My Chart," and I know the numbers before I see her.  They all look good to me and I hope she thinks the same!  

The rest of Friday was spent cleaning house and starting to get ready for the 50th Anniversary party I planned for my neighbors, Anne and Paul. Paul is on chemo and has been fighting issues for two or three years now.  Anne was disappointed that he didn't feel like doing anything special for their 50th.  I suggested she ask if he would come to dinner at my house.  Their daughter, Mary, has been here for a few months, lending a hand to her mom.  Anne was happy that Paul said he would come for dinner, all low-key.  Well, dinner for four turned into dinner for eight, and it was a great evening with two extra couples joining us for dinner (Anne's request, with Paul's approval).  

Here are pictures from Saturday evening.  I am so happy that they had a great time and have some nice photos to go with the memories.  Lots of hugs at the end of the night, and Paul even whispered to me that it was the best day he's had in a long time.

Mary came over around 2:00 to help with the decorations.  She put the centerpiece together and set the table with the silverware.  I planned to serve buffet-style, so the plates were with the food.  I purchased mints with "50th" printed on them, and we scattered them through the centerpiece and also around the cake.

Mary brought their wedding photo over and I hung it above the cake that I made for them.  Yellow cake, buttercream frosting, and a raspberry filling.  I found the topper at Hallmark, and they took it home along with the top tier.  

We all visited in the living room.  I had cheese, crackers, pickles, olives, pretzels, and cheetoes on the table. The drink station included wine, beer, diet Pepsi, iced tea, and water.

Joan (Joan & Jim are Canadian snowbirds) and Mary.

Baked ziti...

Meatballs and extra sauce...

There was also garlic bread (no photo).

Mary made a delicious salad and brought dressings...

Sharon, Joan, Jim, Paul, Anne, Mary, and Dave...

Sharon and Dave are snowbirds from New York state

And here is the happy couple, posing for pictures!!

I finished cutting the cake and giving a piece to everyone.  

Sharon took this picture.

Paul, me, Anne, and Mary (they also have three sons - all living 

in the New York - Syracuse area.)  

Anne and Paul live across the street from me and are here full-time.

I am blessed to have wonderful neighbors who are also dear friends!  Anne and Paul have lived here in Mas Verde about a year longer than me.  We have shared dinners and adventures through the years. I love this picture from November 2017.  We went to the Lakeridge Winery in Clermont, FL, with Anne, Paul, son Joey, and daughter-in-law Darlene. There was a Christmas craft show on the grounds.  It was great fun and a little too chilly for shorts, if I remember right.

Palm Sunday, at my church, begins the service with all the kids (who want to participate) walking in with palms to place on the altar.  It always brings smiles to the congregation.  So cute and they all take it so seriously (as they should).  We also had communion and our last pot-luck until the weather gets cooler again in the Fall.  I made enough ziti to make a pan for the potluck, so that was pretty easy. I baked it while I got ready for church, and our church's kitchen has a warmer to keep food nice and hot until needed after the service.

I am hosting my small group from church tomorrow night.  One couple isn't coming but there will be 11, counting me.  I'm just doing sloppy joes and mac and cheese.  Comfort food, easy to make, and I'll also have a fruit salad.  I am baking an angel food cake with a can of pineapple.  If you haven't tried it, it is very good, not too sweet, and not high in calories.  (I also have eight for Easter dinner, coming up fast!) 

If you made it this far, thanks for checking in!!  Have a blessed week ahead!! 

Peace and Hugs!

Thank you, Jesus.