Our Moms' Tea and Rosary, dreamt up so many weeks ago, finally took place last night. When Catholic homeschooling mothers linger until midnight and the hostess begs them all not to leave (ever), you know a party has been a success!
Please take a look at the larger than life pile of presents, all with a cottage motif, these dear friends brought to surprise me. An entire post could be written just to show you what is beneath all that cellophane and trim. (Hmm, not a bad idea--maybe this weekend!)
As our gathering was in full swing, Agnes ran in on an errand and smiled to see the place so unusually luminous and lively at night. As her eyes scanned the scene, she exclaimed, "I haven't seen the cottage this full of life since Lissa left!" Much later in the evening, I discovered, at the very bottom of my impressive stack of presents, a decorative plate sporting a red-wreathed cottage door and the message: "Family and friends make a house come alive. For they fill it with love just by coming inside." Agnes had known this was true the moment she looked around.
How much I wish I could sit across a table from all of you extremely kind friends who read this blog. You were in my prayers during the Rosary last night, and always.
*******
Happy birthday, Jeannine!
"How much I wish I could sit across a table from all of you extremely kind friends who read this blog."
Me too, dear Alice. Me, too.
Posted by: Margaret in Minnesota | November 10, 2006 at 05:17 AM
Wonderful!! That looked like fun.
Posted by: Rose | November 10, 2006 at 06:59 AM
It sounds like a wonderfully refreshing night. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us - could you email me some of those delicious looking goodies???
Posted by: Jennifer | November 10, 2006 at 08:17 AM
"How much I wish I could sit across a table from all of you extremely kind friends who read this blog."
I wish we could do, but in the meantime, thank God for the internet. :)
Looks beautiful, Alice.
Posted by: Katherine in TX | November 10, 2006 at 08:41 AM
How lovely! I, too, wish I could have been there. I'm in the process of getting my "Moms' Chocolate Night" planned ... hoping it comes off next week. Wish you all could come to that, too!
Posted by: Karen E. | November 10, 2006 at 08:59 AM
Your evening sounds wonderful, and your fall arrangement with the candle looks so beautiful. Do you live in a cottage? Thanks for thinking of us during your rosary.
Posted by: Cheryl | November 10, 2006 at 09:54 AM
I miss having flesh and blood friends to linger over tea with. That's why I so love my blog friends...you are more real to me than most of my neighbors!
Posted by: Jennie C. | November 10, 2006 at 09:58 AM
What a beautiful, joyful evening! I am so happy you are blessed with such wonderful friends, Alice. And what a blessing *you* are to those lucky ladies (and us)!
Posted by: Dawn | November 10, 2006 at 10:44 AM
Looks beautiful. Lucky you, and lucky us!
Posted by: elizabeth | November 10, 2006 at 11:50 AM
I am going to be a shameless copycat and put one of these "mom rosary and tea evenings" together soon for my women of grace friends and some school moms.
So glad you had such a wonderful evening - God is good!
Posted by: Lynn | November 10, 2006 at 11:56 AM
What a lovely idea and a lovely evening.
Posted by: Kathryn | November 10, 2006 at 02:22 PM
Really, really, really wish I could have been there with you. It looks like it was a truly beautiful evening. What a blessing good friends are, whether near or far.
Posted by: Diane | November 10, 2006 at 07:25 PM
Thank you so much, Alice! You are just such a blessing. You put together a truly beautiful evening.
Posted by: Jeannine | November 10, 2006 at 07:33 PM
What a beautiful evening and such a lovely way to share friendships together!! You're a friend to SOO many my dear, thanks for blessing us ALL!
Posted by: Meredith | November 10, 2006 at 08:01 PM
That is such a wonderful idea for a night together, and it looks like it was a blessing for all involved!
Posted by: Amy | November 11, 2006 at 07:12 PM