sixty sisters in faith in september

After two months of no sisterly love in Holliday Hall, we were all chomping at the bit to see each other again.

This 'return from summer' luncheon was a true celebration of the friendships within Sisters In Faith, and it was feast for the senses!

 

Eight of the women had agreed to serve as hostesses for this fancy, white-tablecloth, sit-down meal, each bringing their own china and table decor.

I chose to sit at Table 7, the fourth one on the left, and my "springtime" dress can be spotted in the aisle from my seat on the end.

Part of the reason I selected that table was very simple: the white china had the same octagonal shape as my china.

The other reason was because the hostess was CeCe Coleman.

That's her at the other end of the table, and Emily Garrard - my theater-going friend - was sitting to my right. 

Truth to tell, she was the third reason I opted for this table.

Catherine Gilbert, a colleague from Armstrong, was on my left, and that younger woman is a member of the Wesley Oak congregation.

She used to come to Asbury, until the young people she worked with went to Wesley; now, she has returned to Asbury, as that church is defunct.

Word is that the property has been sold, so that's a blessing!

 

And who else was at our table, between Emily and CeCe?

Those are Connie and Madelyn "Mad Dawg", the Georgia Bulldogs fan!

She was a trip to be with today!!!

She and I had several things in common, as we get out of the house far more than many of the others.

Even with this worsened hitch in my giddy-up, I made sure to be here!

 

Like I said, this was a celebration, after two months away from each other.

The food was prepared by professional chefs, just for us, and every bite let us know how very special we are.

Just look at that appetizer: bruschetta with Mediterranean salsa, topped with marinated Georgia shrimp... totally scrumptious!

When Carson Branan brought out a leftover plate of the summery delight, I graciously accepted it, eating every morsel!

The entree featured a rich quiche containing mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomato, and Swiss cheese in egg custard - fabulous!

That was accompanied by a mixed green salad topped with toasted Asbury pecans, cranberries, and balsamic vinaigrette - I would have gladly eaten seconds of that, too!

Ah, but then, how would I have room for that luxurious dessert?

Grand Marnier Chocolate Mousse, it was, with raspberry sauce and fresh whipped cream - I ate it in tiny bites to make it last as long as possible!

 

My gratitude to Philip and Charlene Branan for this feast for the senses!

They were the owners and chefs at the Boar's Head restaurant until just recently when they retired.

Get this: they were born in 1959, the Chinese Year of the Pig.

No doubt that was the inspiration for the fine eatery's name!

Now, they're using their talents here and Asbury Memorial has been reaping the benefits all this year.

Today, they had their son, Carson, helping out, as well as his wife.

Kudos to all for spoiling us with this meal!

 

Kudos to Lynn Drake for the music from the Wesley Oak piano; to Tim Steinhauser for serving as the tuxedo-clad Maitre-d as well as the male component of the Holiday Hall Cafe Trio (along with Carmel Hearn and Kathy Solomons); and to Allexa Schlimmer for her vocal talents with the entertainment provided! 

I don't know who was in charge of choosing which bits of Shel Silverstein's poetry would be used this afternoon, but I applaud the choices!

I can't say that I knew them all, but I definitely was familiar enough with the final one - "Moon-Catchin' Net" - that I was able to sing along!

 

Afterward, I went to Greenwich to visit Mama.

I just felt the need to share this outing with friends with her.

The next time I head out there, I'll have some fresh flowers in hand, as those by the headstone are looking a bit beat from the summer heat.

There was one major change out there: the huge pine tree that had been a few sites down was gone.

Just a ragged stump marked where it had been.

Surprisingly, there was no damage to any of the markers, so perhaps it had been taken down instead of falling.

I'll have to check out the other sites when I return.

What a beautiful day this has been!

i thank You, God, that I was able to share it with so many others.

summer picnic luncheon on the beach!

"That doesn't look like any beach to me, g'friend. In fact, it looks just like Holliday Hall at Asbury!"

That's because you're not squinting your eye and holding your mouth just right! HAHAHAHA!

 

"Wait a minute... I know what this is! It's the Sisters In Faith luncheon, isn't it? I recognize Judy Wilburn and Beth Ballance."

 

You're correct! Neither of them were at the purple-clad table where I parked my keister, though.

I chose it for the color, of course! Patti Steinhauser, on the far left, was already there. Then we were joined by Debbie Wright, CeCe Coleman, Robin Eifler, and Sandra, the mother of Jenni from the April luncheon. 

  

"Steinhauser? Isn't that the surname of the guy in the band?"

 

Yep, it sure is! Tim was there to entertain us this time, too, but the guys called themselves the Beached Bums today! he even had her come up and sing with them for "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow PolkaDot Bikini"!!! Very funny bit, with him wearing that swimsuit!!! Well, kinda sorta. LOL!!!

 

"Nice music for y'all's day 'at the beach'! I see there was even a beach ball!"

 

Actually, that was the "talking" ball, passed around with the holder of it asked to share a favorite story about the beach with us. Guess what? I got up and did that! I told all about Mama taking us four kids to the beach often during the summer, with a jug of water and peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches. We'd play on the beach and in the water there at Tybee for hours! That let her have some peace and quiet. Then we'd stop by the Sugar Shack on the way home and get malteds and milkshakes, and that would keep us quiet for the drive. Fun for all of us!

 

"That's a really nice memory."

 

Yeah, and it got other Savannahians talking about memories of their summers at Tybee. I really loved that! I'm glad that Asbury is one place where I'm not the only local gal.

 

"Me, too. And did you have any hot dog buns to bring home?"

 

Nope! All 16 of those buns got eaten! Good!!! Now, I'm going to take care of a few things here at home, like charging my phone. American Legion Post 36 is supposed to have its monthly meeting at 6 PM, so I'll stay in town until it's done, then head back to Stella. Good thing it's rainy, or she'd be upset about missing the party on the patio. Maybe tomorrow will have a sunny spot in it for her!

today, i wore an easter bonnet!

"Put on your Easter bonnet

with all the frills upon it

and we will have 

a very merry

Easter Parade!"

That Irving Berlin song from 1933 has been on my mind ever since the theme of this Sisters In Faith luncheon was announced last month.

Such a catchy little number!

I fashioned my head-topper by wrapping the Periodic Table scarf around the bright pink bowl of the hat that always brings happy thoughts of Mama.

Thanks, Cathy of El Cerrito, for that gift!

It went so well with my Spring-time dress!

That's what Linda Combs and Michelle Meece told me, so I know it to be true!

Here they are, with our gracious event planner wearing one of the cutest hats there!

Just look at those bunny ears!!!

Linda, I just know Bugs Bunny would be thrilled, too!!!

Those were more bunny ears, too.

That's Sherry Giddens, at the end of my table, sporting huge ears atop her bonnet!

Judy Wilburn's summer hat boasted flowers against its straw!

And there were three ladies at the table beside us who all wore flower-bedecked bonnets! 

That's Kathy Hodges, in the pink dress, in the middle, between the lady in the orange hat and the one in the green.

My table had a mother and daughter wearing bonnets!

The daughter, Jenni, had her 61st birthday yesterday.

Her mom, Sandra, tried to scoot out of the photo, but I caught her!

To me, they were the belles of this ball at Holliday Hall - they brought three boxes of Chick-Fil-A nuggets!!!

I signed up to bring finger sandwiches, substituting two trays of sushi.

(That's them between the chips and tower of cucumber sandwiches.)

Cheri Hester brought sushi, too, as did one other - so much for me bringing something different!

That just meant I had sushi to take home for dinner tonight.

(smile!)

Here's the array of Easter bonnets that came today, arranged in competition on the stage here at Asbury Memorial's social hall.

I bet there were at least fifteen!!!

That's Linda and Michelle, making sure each entry has been assigned a number for the voting process.

 

The winner was worn by Cece Colman!

That's her, on the left, with the Mexican sombrero-style hat with all the fringe and little Easter bunnies.

I bet that laden bonnet weighed at least ten pounds!

That's means I wouldn't have been able to pick it up, per post-surgery orders, for at least another three weeks.

That's pretty impressive, as was the hat with the twinkle lights!

Here's a funny story!

Right after I snapped that photo, the two women realized their hats had gotten snagged.

Oh, no!

But I have plenty of practice with branches in my long hair, so set to work untangling Cece's fringe from Mary's foliage.

I just let my fingers feel their way, loosening the two from each other, just as I've done in my yard on many occasions.

Hooray!

And who was our guest speaker today?

Kim Polote, someone I'd rescued from a clothing emergency years ago!

It was while I was a volunteer usher at the Lucas Theatre.

She was to perform in a Christmas show, but the gown she was in didn't quite fit at the top of the bodice.

I happened to be in the bathroom when she was in distress about her dress...

and I happened to have several safety pins with me...

so, calamity avoided and distress dispersed!

Right place, right time!

Of course, that's been at least fifteen years ago.

Today, she was there to share songs with us at this happy luncheon!

"Wind Beneath My Wings" was merged seamlessly into "Over The Rainbow" before she said her first words to us.

Later, led us all in singing "This Little Light Of Mine", clapping joyously!

Then she gave us "Change Is Gonna Come" and one her own songs, "Everything Must Change".

In between all that music, she told her life stories and encouraged us to "find the message in the mess" life sometimes hands us.

Absolutely lovely!

She also talked of celebrating the joy wherever we find it, even in a movie, such as "Me, You & Tuscany"...

and I spoke up that I'd just seen it yesterday!!!

That made her smile and got everyone's attention. 

Right place, right time!

when irish eyes are smiling, danny boy!

Those were the first two songs at our Sisters In Faith luncheon!

Kristen Kelso was there with her guitar to regale us with song in Holliday Hall, and I just know that Miss Virginia was with us!!

Kristen followed those two with "Hallelujah". 

Hoping to lighten the theme, I requested "The Unicorn Song", and even sang a few lines - "There's cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born, you're never gonna see no unicorn" - but she'd never played it before.

Instead, she sang "The Sound Of Music", no doubt to honor Michelle Meece who'd just finished a three-week run starring in that musical.

That's Michelle, dressed as a leprechaun in suspenders and a tam!

Then Kristen did an oldie from 1952: "It's Saint Patrick's Day In Savannah".

That definitely put a spring back into the room!

(smile!) 

And what was on the menu for this luncheon?

Breakfast!!!

Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, blueberry pancakes!

Banana nut muffins, breakfast casseroles, fruit salads!

But no grits, no biscuits, not from these Northern transplants!

So glad I was joined by Kathy Hodges, Barbara Gooby, Rhonda Reed, and Robin Eifler at my table!

Plus, fellow Sister-in-Faith Cece was there, sitting by Kathy.

Another Kathy - Mayin - was to come, but didn't make it.

I saved her a seat by me, just the same!

Perhaps the weather was not quite as nice as she'd hoped.

It was supposed to be well into the 70's today, but that's not until tomorrow it seems.

That's okay, the weather song shows a true lilt for the weekend!

Hallelujah!!!

(smile!) 

linda's lads serenaded us!

I thought it would be more fun to call them The TBC Band... as in "to be continued" - lol!

That's Tim, Bill, and Chuck, with Tim doing most of the singing.

That middle guy?

That's Bill, and he got to sing on "Love Stinks"!

So did I!

Tim brought the mic and singled me out!

Hahahaha!

He saw me singing along to the other songs they did, starting with "And I Love Her".

So good to hear Beatles' music!

So good to be at this Sisters In Faith Valentines party and luncheon!

Gail brought Belgian chocolates, Robin made Chinese chicken salad, Charlene had a citrus beet salad, Heidi baked a carrot cake, and the brioche rolls were from me.

That's just from the people at my table!

Plus, Linda had little cups of chocolates on the tables for each of us!

Then there was birthday cake!

Here's Linda Combs singing to Huxsie Scott, dressed in purple for her special day!

We all chimed in, of course!

And before we concluded our two-hour sharing of sisterhood, Huxsie regaled us with song.

"It Must Be Love" was the oldie she brought to the table, as all of us - and two babies! - listened to her soulful voice.

What a perfect way to bring a close to this gathering!

sisters of the new year!

Not even the cold temperatures outside could keep me in today!

This was the designated day for the Sisters In Faith luncheon and I had volunteered to bring two prizes for the bingo games.

I had to be there!!!

And so I went, bundling up in two sweaters and my Cracker Barrel poncho-coat for the drive to Asbury Memorial, bag in hand. 

Thankfully, I was met with a plethora of others who'd turned out and turned up for this friendship gathering - hooray!

We each had a tinfoil tiara awaiting us, as well as a gilded tooter to blow when we had a bingo - TOOT!!!

Charlene was the first at our table to get a bingo.

That was on the second game, too.

So she was the first of us to get to choose a prize from the gift table!

Soon enough, I had a bingo on one of my two game boards!

"TOOT!!!"

I was the first one to actually do that instead of saying 'Bingo!", of course!

Linda Combs was elated that I followed her directions!

I chose the wire basket of fancy soaps - I know four little blondes who will like those 'eggs'!

(smile!)

I was the third person at our table to win.

I resolved to not take any more prizes.

Then I noticed that Pam was only playing one of her cards, trying to keep up... and I had another b-i-n-g-o about to happen... and when it did, I pushed the card in front of her and said, "Pam, you have a bingo!"

She perked right up and was thrilled!!!

I thought only my tablemates caught what I did.

Nope!

Tim Steinhauser, our bingo caller, saw it, too.

He alluded to how nice it was to see us 'sharing the wealth' instead of being like August.

Apparently, August had won three games the last time bingo was played!

I guess that's why he left today before the games began - Tim and Linda were both teasing him!

I stayed until the ginger ale toast!

First, we all sang "Auld Lang Syne", led by Michelle Meece - I may have been the only one who knew the words.

Then I clinked glasses with my tablemates - Charlene Branan, Pam Kress, Robin Eifler, Shirley Horovitz, Kay, and another Kay - then took my leave before the last round of bingo.

I have a new event, starting at 2.

Better go while I'm out!

(smile!)

four calling birds!

That was the line that Virginia and I and a silent singer had to sing and pantomime.

Fortunately, I'd seen the People's Youth Choir in action two years ago, so I could coach the others on what to do.

"We just place our hands to imitate a megaphone at our mouth!"

That worked out just fine all nine times that our part came up in "The Twelve Days Of Christmas"! 

The table beside us were tasked with "partridge in a pear tree".

What a cute act they choose for that line!

That was good, as they had to perform for all twelve stanzas.

However, the group that got the most crowd reaction was the table right in front of us.

Here they are, doing the squat of "six geese a-laying"!

It was such a hoot!!!

Bird pun intended! 

I'm so glad that Michelle Meece asked us to do that song for her!

It was a favorite in her family that her dad always led.

Here, she's performing "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas".

She truly has such a nice voice and a great stlye!

I think she looked like a cross between Cindy Lou Who and an elf for our Sisters In Faith Christmas luncheon party.

Very cute!

Yes, we were all gathered at Asbury Memorial, in Holliday Hall, and I'm sure Miss Virginia was there celebrating with us!

Linda Combs had called out the big guns for this event.

That's Huxsie Scott on that throne!!!

She's been a well-regarded songbird of Savannah for several decades.

She was there to sing "Because It's Christmas", a favorite song of Linda's, and one that I had never heard before.

What a treat!

Speaking of such, there was lots of good food!

There were several different kinds of tea sandwiches, reminding me of Aunt Linda's birthday celebration - good times!

I also enjoyed the sweets - so many different desserts, including that cake with coconut and pecans and dark chocolate chips!

 

I arrived late, due to the noon appointment with Dr. Urban at Savannah VA.

Noon was also the start time of this soiree!

Still, I'd been waiting six months for the eye check, so that had priority...

but I so wanted to go to the party...

and when he heard my dilemma, he let me go!

It helped that I'd not yet had the neurology meeting that he'd wanted me to have before this visit.

All told, I made it to the church while Dottie Klutz was telling a story from her youth in Germany.

Perfect!

I was able to grab a plate of food and the empty seat beside Robin Eifler with no one paying any mind to me!

Hallelujah!!!

Afterward, I helped put away the chairs and tables and decor, as I'd promised to do.

And I ended up with two goodie bags instead of one!

That's because Virginia's bag had a Christmas card in it that started out, incredibly, with "Dear Tina"... so she insisted that I take it and wouldn't take my bag in trade.

Whoever wrote the card didn't sign it, so I have no idea who to thank.

I'll be sure to enjoy the lavender hand soap, given by a secret Santa.

i thank You, God!

cordell bank and dungeness crabs

Dear Sue,

I do hope you are doing well. I know you are very busy with your new practice.

I hope you and Francine were able to get everything done when you were here in town. I had honestly thought I would hear from you, but I didn't want to intrude without being asked. I believed then, and still do, that you would contact me if I could be of help.

I do regret that Cyndi had me leave the carpet in your dad's truck. Christina's husband had met me at the house to help move the ruined mattress from the back porch to the truck, then we were going to the dump with it. Instead, I was told to leave that task for you to handle and I was told to give the house key to Hugh. I did as I was told, much as I hated to do so. (I still have the text messages, should there be any doubt of what I say.)

My condolences on the death of your dad. I remember the good times we all shared at Kevin Barry's, once upon a time.

with much love always

***** ***** *****

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is a little north of San Francisco.

sending seashells 2 sue

Dear Sue,

I tore these out of the paper some time ago, specifically for you, then buried them under the perpetual mess which is my dining room table.
No longer!
Now that they've been unearthed, they need to travel away from here before another stack of papers lands on top of them.
Seriously! :-)

During the school year, when lab papers are constantly raining down on me, the table becomes my workspace, with only a small area reserved for my morning coffee and meals.
That's okay.
Come mid-December, school will be over and the table top will be visible once more!
Well, at least until mid-January, right?

Enjoy these thoughts of you!

with much love always
to you and your family!

I so enjoy these word puzzles!

The caption reads "After his plastic surgery, Donald Duck had"
and the answer is
"BILL PAYMENTS"

Cute, right?

This one's 'aside' reads:
The last time Mary ever asked a patient to tell her something "in your own words".
Meanwhile, the patient is babbling gobbledy gook.

That's pretty funny, too!
I'll have to be sure to use that in the future.
(smile)

So, now you know a little about my little sister, such as one of her favorite things and what type of work she does.
Pretty cool, eh?
(smile)