More Holiday Cheer

HOLIDAY

CHICAGO!

(and the CTA)

I have been remiss not documenting the Parish Advent Party that was last Saturday. It was a bit miserable outside, but I got out of work with much time to spare before the party. So despite the weather, when the train driver announced that the Holiday Train was following ours, I decided to wait and see it.

I have never been lucky enough to ride the holiday train, but I have glimpsed it from time to time. But it is ALWAYS worth another look. Just from the blurred pictures above you can see it's DECKED OUT!!! And the inside is apparantly even better. Special upholstry, garlands, lights, and cta workers dressed as elves and handing out candy. Again this is just hearsay. Maybe next year I'll be lucky enough to ride.

Anyway, I was still early to Trey's, but he was nice enough to let me in and pretend like I could actually help them get stuff ready.

They are so cute together, aren't they. Molly is 9, but you would never know it, she's a little spitfire. So there I was, there early and lucky enough to get to chat with Trey and Johnathan and play with cutie Molly. Johnathan is from England and they are going for Christmas. Oh to have an oblagation to go to england.

Anyway, people soon arrived and the food with them and good thing, cause I was HUNGRY. Some people made the food themsleves and some brought takeout, but it was all yummy. The people I go to church with certainly have good taste.

I brought a Cheese Ball, which was a BIG hit. 'lil' smokey' by Amy Sedaris, recipe can be found on Martha Stewart's website. Everyone praised this kitchy choice and said that for the next gathering on their holiday docket they were going to take a cheese ball. I love inspiring the masses.

And then there was Molly who was ever hopeful or a clumsy hand or a turned head. I don't think she got much of anything, but she sure was cute trying. And she had some kinda doggie sense for who to approach. Mostly cat people. People that didn't know what to do with such a large animal actually paying attention to them. It was very funny. Tracked it all night long.

So we all ate and talked and met/remet people. One of the bad things about such a fast growing the church is that I am always forgetting people or their names and not sure if I have been introduced to them or just passed the peace. Anyway, so sometimes akward, but mostly everyone is understanding.

Like here, with all these ladies. The two in the back, where Molly is zeroing in, they are cat people. Is it the smell on their clothes or some sort of body language? i wonder if there are other dogs that focus on dog lovers, to take advantage of sympathy rather than inexperience. Sounds like a great pointless research project...

Anyway, besides potluck and fellowship, the Advent party is also popular for the hymn sing at the end.

Trey brings up hymnals from the church and we all find and sing the holiday favorites.

We are often smushed into the long narrow living room and have to share hymnals, sometimes three or four people per. Some songs we always sound awful, like "Go Tell it on the Mountain" we are so white, but others always good, like "Silent Night." And every year we end with a trouncing, fumbling rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus. Which is great fun.

We had fun like always and people hang out for a little longer...

Sorry Johnathan, but I love this picture in all it's slightly blurry, cheesy,

literally toungue in cheekness glory.

...to have one more serving of the yummy brownies, or pepper bites, or apple cake, or cheese ball...

...To have one more glass of wine or to talk to that one last person they had been meaning to...

...Or for another silly story. Oh here is Steve, on the right he came late and was VERY silly. He is Trey's uncle and also lives in the parish apartment, it is a sizable three bedroom afterall.

So thank you Trey, Johnathan and Steve for letting us all into your home and for the good time.