The Tree is Finally Decorated

Well, it took a week, but we Wendy did get the tree decorated. Erin (who promised to help) hasn’t been seen here at Wistful Vista since Wednesday. There is nothing like the fragrance of a real tree to put one in the spirit.

We’ve been to a few parties in the past week or so:

1) Wendy’s childhood friend Tricia had a few people over for dinner on the 9^th (Ron and Chris G, Dianne and Wayne M, Trish and Greg and Wendy and I) We enjoyed a lovely ham and scalloped potato meal complete with a chocolate fondue. An excellent start to the festive season.

Archie and family's beautiful home

2) On the 15^th we were fortunate to have been again invited to Archie’s giant annual party at his fabulous home on the banks of the Thames River on the outskirts of town. Archie was one of the two partners that purchased my hospital bed factory nearly eleven years ago. We stayed friends over the years and I only lament that I don't see him and his family very often. This wonderful party certainly makes up for that! He’s thought of everything and even has valets to park your car for you. I’m sure there were 500+ in attendance. Food and snacks were scattered at various stations throughout his enormous historic home. There were two full serve bars plus a separate martini bar in the theater room. I heard there was even a cigar room where you could get a handcrafted cigar and go “al fresco” with gas heaters to enjoy a smoke outside. Artificial water falls cascaded outside the windows (even though this is December and freezing temperatures would seem to prevent this display outside of nature) Invited guests were like the “who’s who” of London. This party gets bigger, better and more elaborate every year!
The "Circle of Friends" at Patricia's. L to R Tim, Hazel, Joan and Peter, Wendy, Tricia and Greg, Tom, Joyce, Barb, Barry, Murray.
3) Finally, last night (Dec. 17th) we were back at Tricia’s at a party of the “Circle of Friends” (a group of Wendy’s dearest lady friends) all of whom used to work for London Life Insurance at some time in their life. I still don’t know how Wendy assimilated herself into this group since neither of us ever worked there. Many years ago Tricia, who did, apparently schmoozed Wendy in. Anyway, over the years these 9 ladies (and their husbands) have become very close friends. Present were Anne R, Hazel R (and Tom), Barbara H (and Barry) Joyce T (and Murray) Joan C (and Peter) Tricia and Greg and Wendy and me. We missed Mary-Helen and Bud (in Florida) and Pat and Ron (a flu bug)