Oh, it was such a fun day. Meredith is thoughtful and genuine and I'm so glad to have her as a new face-to-face friend. Holly is just brimming over with laughter and smiles. I was incredibly blessed to have the two of them at my table.
We talked and laughed and worked on a few projects and they left me wishing they could have stayed for hours and hours longer. As much as I hate it when time together with friends come to an end, I love that feeling of wanting more. (Holly, I know EXACTLY what you meant!)
We ate chicken salad (in honor of Anne and Diana, who said, "Wouldn't it be lovely to live at a hotel and eat chicken salad every day?") and sat at the table long past being finished.
And I had so much fun putting "Happy Fall" baskets together for them. I baked bread this morning, and had some peach butter I'd made this summer in the pantry. The last of the zucchini from my garden, autumn tea towels, pretty autumn napkins, and fabric pumpkins. (The pumpkins are such a fun project; I'll share directions over the weekend.)
I've realized how much I've missed having women over and providing space and time for them to sit and visit and be refreshed. I know I've said it before, but I really need to find a way to make this kind of thing a more regular occurance. That autumn tea party is still rolling around in my head...
Joanne,
I had a lovely time with you and Holly today. You are so warm and thoughtful, and I felt so at ease with you! Thanks for the beautiful basket (my kids LOVED the bread), and for a delicious lunch! It was a blessed day indeed!
Love,
Meredith
Posted by: Meredith | October 11, 2007 at 08:23 PM
looks like all of you had a great time ! :)
Posted by: SierraMoon | October 12, 2007 at 12:46 AM
Joanne,
It's fun to find your blog via Meredith. I grew up in the Springs, so it's fun to get some glimpses of my home state!
What a treat to get together with friends, and to meet blog friends! It looks like you prepared such a lovely meal and gift--what a thoughtful idea.
Posted by: carrie | October 12, 2007 at 07:48 AM
Oh...looks SO wonderful! I'm so glad y'all had such a great time! My boss (a Southern Baptist Pastor) thinks the entire "bloggy world" is full of weird, lying folks and says to me all the time, "how do you know they are real? How do you know they are telling you the truth? How do you know they aren't trying to find out where you live?"
Drives me insane! I've stopped discussing my blog and bloggy friends with him. He just can not get it in his head that I have met such awesome women in the blogging realm. You and your lunch dates prove it is true!
Next time, I want in! Besides the fact that I live in Virginia...I'm sure we could work SOMETHING out!
Hugs...
Susan
Posted by: Susan | October 12, 2007 at 09:12 AM
^I live in Ohio, Susan! We'll carpool to Joanne's! I must admit, I'm a tad envious of your lunch guests. Someday...
Posted by: Marla Taviano | October 12, 2007 at 08:01 PM
OK -- so on the way from Ohio could you swing through Wisconsin and pick me up too?
Seriously, this looks like a lovely, lovely day and I wish that I could have been there. I could really use some good girl conversation and life advice these days -- this profound group of ladies seems like a good group to do just that! :-)
Posted by: Lisa R=P | October 13, 2007 at 08:33 AM
How very, very wonderful to find a friend like Joanne! In so many ways, my head began to spin when we left, thinking of when we can do it again and how it could be made special and even how to start crafting again. You inspire me, Friend!
Chris said the bread was fantastic! I agree! I agree! And the peach butter was yummy on it. The zucchini awaits a recipe this week and the napkins long to be used in a most special way. The towel and pumpkin have been added as decorations for fall. Oh you have blessed my heart to fullness!
Thank you Joanne...for being you.
PS I didn't have the stomach to try sushi in Dallas...next time, maybe :) It was Tex-Mex all the way, baby.
Posted by: Holly Smith | October 14, 2007 at 05:53 PM
you're awesome girl. Those baskets are great. The ladies are very blessed to have such a thoughtful friend :)
Posted by: mia | October 15, 2007 at 03:05 AM
Joanne,
I just recently read "Living Simply". Your book was a blessing to me. I felt like I was given permission to take life a little slower. Thanks for sharing parts of your life and your faith in the Lord.
Also your jeans in the picture are too cute. Did you sew those patches on the jeans??
Have a great day!
Sara
South Carolina (No signs of Fall here, it's 80 degrees :)
Posted by: Sara | October 15, 2007 at 06:56 AM
Joanne,
It sounds like you had a wonderful time!! And a wonderful day outside by looking at the pictures....how fantastic is that?!?
Posted by: Kristina | October 19, 2007 at 10:15 AM