Can I just say how much I love having women in my home? I just LOVE it.
We had such a nice time at lunch today--though we were sorry that Amy was sick and Wendy was having granite counter installation woes. We missed you two and prayed for you!
It's so fun to sit back and hear how we're all connected somehow, how God has brought us together to encourage and share life together. What an incredible thing! I just love each of these women and was sad when they left.
Miss Millie joined us for lunch in the dining room, wearing one of my favorite aprons.
The table all set...
...but looking so much nicer with everyone around it. (Kari left before we remembered to take a picture, and thank you to Abbey--Meredith's darling daughter--for her photography skills.)
(Back row: me, Meredith; Front row: Kate, Holly, Angie, Kimberly)
We ate Meatball Minestrone (the recipe is oh-so-easy--just search over there to the right for "minestrone" and you'll find it posted on my site), homemade Italian bread, and salad. I made apple pie for dessert (since Meredith doesn't like chocolate--crazy, I know!). But I could eat apple pie morning, noon, and night (and will, since I made an extra!) so I'm not complaining.
So go grab some girlfriends and have lunch together--you'll be glad you did. And to those of you who were here today (and anyone else in the area)--let's do it again soon!
Oh what a fun 'lunch bunch' group of gals! That is what we called it when my girlfriends and I got together once a month for many, many years! You inspire me to get one going again!
Joanne, your husband is such a doll! He is so fun to have around the office! And he is making a HUGE difference in the completion of John's book! John and my husband are best friends, so we love John dearly. Thank you for sharing Toben with us here in Phoenix!
And YES, I would LOVE to take you to all my favorite shops when you come here in a few weeks! I just know we will be fast friends!
Posted by: linda t | January 30, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Looks like a lot of fun!
Posted by: tammy | January 30, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Oh, it WAS fun! Thanks, Joanne, for a lovely day. Abbey told her brother and sister that you were super cool. And she's very proud that you posted the photo she took!
Guess what? I had great luck at the Gap outlet, and it started snowing after I got home. A perfect way to end a perfect day.
Thank you again for hosting us. I'm off to check out your yummy soup recipe!
Posted by: Meredith | January 30, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Oh...how wonderful.
Sigh.
Posted by: Susan | January 30, 2008 at 06:42 PM
I absolutely loved reading abt the lunch get together..I am sure you girls had a lot of fun...
and I absolutely loved Ms. Millie...
Cheers
Posted by: Priti | January 30, 2008 at 09:24 PM
Oh, how I wish I could have joined you! I do hope I can make the next gathering...I heard all about it from Angie and I truly missed out on what sounds like a wonderful afternoon! Thanks for thinking of me...also, my husband and I thank you dearly for the yummy raisin bread!...and I'm feeling much better so thanks for the prayers! :)
Posted by: Amy | January 30, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Lunch was awesome. You all are such beautiful women inside and out.
Oh...and the bread...I shouldn't know this at 11pm, but I had the munchies when I got home from class, and I must say it is positively divine! Yumm!
Posted by: Kate | January 30, 2008 at 11:29 PM
I am so sorry that I missed it! I look forward to meeting everyone next time.
Wendy
Posted by: Wendy | January 31, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Looks like wonderful girl time... so welcoming!
Posted by: julie | January 31, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Joanne, it looks lovely! And look at Millie, all dressed up. She is wonderful. Looks like a fun luncheon. Lucky gals!
Posted by: miss chris | January 31, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Dumpling and I had sooooooooooo much fun! Thanks for hosting us. It was wonderful. *sigh* Wish we could all get together again soon.
Posted by: Kimberly | January 31, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Joanne,
Looks like so much fun...and thank you for the recipe...I was having a brain freeze and needed something easy and yummy...it fit the bill on all accounts!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Helen | February 01, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I love having lunch with friends! It's great to catch and crack up :)
Posted by: NYC | February 01, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Hey Joanne, Sounds like you had a great time and a wonderful hot wintery lunch...mmmm.
I'm looking forward to the possibility of being able to do some more lunches with friends when I get settled in a new job with less days of work.
And I love the way you did your photos on the dining room wall! I may have to steal the idea. I like the fact that it can be a fluid collection of photos since they're not hanging directly on the wall. Let me know how you use that space, how often you change photos, if any, etc.
Posted by: Nancy | February 04, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Another person that doesn't like chocolate...must be my long lost sister. Tell her "Hi" for me! There are not too many of us so we need to stick together :)
I am glad I found your blog again. The link that I had before stopped working.
Posted by: Debbie | February 05, 2008 at 10:09 AM