Trip to California

What's a trip to Calif. without going to Panera Bread. In fact, we went there for lunch twice! And I had the same thing both times...french onion soup and a baguette. Yummy! I look so forward to that part of the trip.

And Target Greatland. What could be better?

We all made purchases there! From left to right: Patty, Marsha, Cathi, Janet (aka Myrtle). It the small things in life that make one happy! LOL

Can you tell where we are? I'm gonna make you guess.

Now, on with the Christmas party. We always start the evening with strawberry dacquiris. Not too many tho because we have lots to do and no one would want to be too "tired" to miss a minute.

These are my buddies who I have gotten together with once a month for the past 30 years. I had the nerve to move away but I always make it back for the Christmas party and sometimes I'm lucky enough to be able to join them during the year too. Love you guys.

Patty made up these cute and yummy appetizers.

Patty was our host this year. (we rotate houses from year to year) She said she had so much fun putting the table together. Marsha and I were in charge of dinner. We had lasagna, salad and bread from Panera...(where else?) Marsha had it all made before I even arrived in town, so needless to say, I didn't do very much. Thanks Marsha.

We got to take home the pretty pinecones and that cute little tree.

Loved the caged gold ornaments in the background. Such a pretty table this year, Patty.

And then on to the games. Janet (Myrtle) was in charge of games and candy this year. This is our version of Bingo. She made it up a few years ago and we have so much fun playing it that it's become a yearly tradition.

We use Hershey's kisses as our markers and sometimes there aren't enough kisses left for blackout. Hmmm, wonder why. ;-)

This is the pile of presents that we have to choose from when we win a game. So much fun. We each bring a pre-determined amount of door prizes. I didn't get any pictures of what everyone won. So sorry.

After hours and hours of game playing, chatting and grazing it's on to our stockings. Cathi was in charge this year.

I made them wait to open their stockings until I could get a picture. They were ready to hide my little red by the end of the night.

And here's what was in our stockings. Good job, Cathi!

Tomorrow I'll show you what our giftys to each other were.