Elisa, Luanna, Adrian from 3 countries play Carcassonne

Now comes the sad day that Amelia goes back to Durham and Adrian goes back to Mexico. I have done well with not letting it spoil my mood other days, but it's always hard when they go. Of course, it's good that they have work to go to, and we'll see them again before too long. But this happy interlude is over. I must begin studying again and Molli must find work. Elisa goes back to school and Ray to work.

After I brought Elisa home from the skating rink at 6 yesterday morning, and she went to bed, I continued getting ready for our big party. It was sort of Amelia's idea, but it got a little out of hand. She did most of the cooking, though.  I took the French bread that I had mixed and kneaded the day before out of the freezer to thaw and bake. I began preparing the jambalaya by sauteeing three pounds of sausage in the big skillet and adding 2 large chopped onions, celery stalks, some frozen peppers, some garlic, canned tomatoes...and ran out of space.

Amelia got up and worked on the banana pudding. She had made homemade vanilla wafers and real pudding. Now she layered them with bananas and whipped cream. Molli cut up several pounds of boneless skinless chicken. Ray washed dishes and washed dishes some more. We ate some breakfast and walked briefly. It was rainy and gray all day. We showered and dressed and kept cooking. Adrian peeled the shrimp and began vacuuming. We moved the puzzle we had started. I am afraid it will not be in very good shape when we try to put it back. We got out the dishes and glasses and utensils and put tablecloths on two tables. The jambalaya was transferred to a bigger pot and ready to eat. We cooked a lot of plain brown rice. Amelia had made hoppin' john--one with spices and one bland. She made cornbread in the cast iron skillet, also for luck, and sauteed kale briefly as people arrived. I picked some dill and parsley and minced them for the dip (mayo, sour cream, lemon juice, dijon mustard). Molli cut up carrots and cucumbers.

We put away the vacuum as my Dad and the first guests arrived and Molli began serving mimosas. They are a tasty, festive, and easy to make drink (champagne and orange juice). There were about 25 people in all, including Elisa's friend Luanna, whose "Dad" drove her from Buford. Some of them brought food, including Mary Jean's incredible cheesecake, and an 18-bean stew (or some number) that Deb and John brought. We opened wine and kept making mimosas. My Dad arranged cheese and crackers and meats and breads. Amelia spread goat cheese on toasted slices of French bread, with apple and honey. We set out quiche and people served themselves. There was plenty of food, although we ran short of utensils. I should have gotten out the silver.

Everyone talked and ate. A few people watched the football game, behind the Christmas tree and sitting on the stairs. Kevin and Kasey arrived late, but stayed for a while. Janna and Ron came after almost everyone had gone. One of my favorite things was Adrian (from Mexico), Luanna (from France), and Elisa (from Germany) playing Carcassonne. Janna and Becky and I and the girls talked and looked at pictures, while my Dad and other men watched football, cheering and yelling from time to time. Amelia and Mudge and I took time to look at the seed catalog and talk about what we wanted to order.

Eventually, they left. Ray started running dishes and we gathered up food. We played one hand of Mille Bornes (Luanna and I won). Then seven of us rushed off to watch Les Mis at the movie theater, a very satisfying ending to New Year's Day.

Now for more cleaning and saying goodbye.