Friday, December 19, 2008

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.

18 comments:

Red Geranium Cottage said...

I'm always up for a party!!!! Yours looked fun and the table was so pretty. I love that little tree. And BINGO!! We need to add that to our party how fun.
Panera is YUMMO!!! But onion soup??? LOLOL How about brocolli cheddar? Now that's what I'm talking about.
Glad you had a good time.

Something Nice and Pretty said...

What fun! So nice to know that you have kept in touch with each other after all those years.

Love the table decorations and the stockings are filled with neat things♥
Rondell

Anonymous said...

It looks like you had so much fun at your get together! Looks like you got a lot of fun gifties too! Lucky girl!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for sharing this post with us. What a complete delight and such great ideas. I feel as though I was there.

Panera is the best!

Marlene

Anonymous said...

Now you girls know how to throw a party!

Candace said...

What a great party, Anne! I have a group of friends like that, too - once a year at Christmas and sometimes summer! Were you by any chance at Tuesday Morning? Don't know why I said that...only been there once, but it sorta looks like ours!
Cheers!

Carrie ~ Cricketwood Prims said...

Oh Anne I am so glad you made it to your party. I LOVE Panera, Krista takes me there in Omaha!! I have the turkey sandwich!
OK I guess World Market, Pier One?
Spending time with Good Friends, you can't get to much of that.
Hugs, Carrie

happy zombie said...

What a wonderful group of friends you all are! That's so neat, Anne! I love the food-tree, how cute. Everything is so cute and wonderful!

My first guess was Cost Plus... but the baskets make me think Pier One.

When the nest snow blast comes in tomorrow, I'm going to send some glitter into the wind. Look for it when it comes your way! Stay warm!
xoxo-m

PS... The Flavel House, and it's dreamy beautiful in the snow!

happy zombie said...

I forgot to say... I've never been to a Panera Bread. French onion soup and a baguette... I'm SO THERE! Wanna do lunch in Portland or Vancouver when the snow melts?!

Lorraine said...

Looks like you are having a great time..so well organised....love the table settings...and the Bingo game looks like a hoot....our little group has only been meeting once a month for 7 years...a way to go to reach 30! Thanks for sharing the pics and looking forward to seeing the pics of the gifts!

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

What fun!! How nice you can get back to continue the tradition every Christmas!

Carol said...

What a fun, fun party! How wonderful that you all have been friends for so many years. Love Panera! If you like gingerbread...they have gingerbread bagels for the holidays that are out of this world.

Carrie P. said...

You all look like you know how to have a good time. Panera and Target, two of my favorite places.
I guess the store you are in is a Garden Ridge. Am I right or wrong?

Anonymous said...

Yes Annie it was a very fun time because you were with us. We ALWAYS miss you when you aren't with us. Thanks for blogging about us.....xoxoxoxo

Anne Sutton said...

Love your pictures! Makes us feel like we were there with you! Well worth the trip to the bay area!

Anne Sutton said...

Forgot to add, you can't do lunch with Happy Zombie without me there too! I can make it to Portland, no problem.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to have the same set of friends to meet with monthly and for 30 years! My DH's military career never allowed us to stay in any place much longer than three years. *sigh* Panera bread is absolutely a favorite of mine as well. I love the brocolli cheddar soup and never tried French Onion "yet." I'm guessing you were all shopping in a World Market or Pier One....I used to shop Pier One in SF when I lived in the Bay Area. Miss that.

Anonymous said...

That party looks so much fun. It must be lovely to meet up every year.