Saturday, August 10, 2013

Saturday's Simple Pleasures

 Last Sunday was the annual "Around The Corner Cafe Summer Picnic"  This small restaurant was only open for a couple of years in the early 1990's - but the friendships made during that time have endured 




We have watched each others kids grow up, have grand kids, or grand cats - what ever -








Many thanks to Maria (in the blue shirt) for keeping us organized.




The day had dawned sort of cloudy and cool, but the clouds quickly burned off to a lovely afternoon.

Denise was the last to arrive, with her legendary chocolate cake.  (she mentioned this year that she had tried bringing something else one year and was kindly (or maybe not so kindly) reminded that the chocolate cake was her responsibility -  Ha, ha - and she believed us!!







In the very foreground is Jo's spaghetti & cheese casserole - Like Denise's chocolate cake, we all look forward to her addition to this picnic.  Maria generally brings chicken wings, but this year she brought a chicken, grape & pasta salad.  It was delicious!

I'm kind of a wild-card - this year I brought Marinated Five Bean Salad (I'll tell you more about it later this week) - There were chips and hummus and a wonderful margherita salad with homemade pesto! 




Look at it and weep -


Do you see why we ask Denise to bring her legendary chocolate cake year after year???


So, another year's summer picnic in the bag - it was great to see everyone, and we'll all look forward to the Christmas Cookie Exchange.






Meanwhile, back at home, George is taking in the simple pleasure of stopping to smell the flowers.




And Bella does what Bella does best - lay right in the middle of the driveway and take a dirt bath.

Oh, you wanted to use this road?

No, sorry, I own the road - you'll have to get out of here some other way. 

Thanks, Bella. 




Have a good weekend everyone! 



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5 comments:

Michelle said...

A neighbor is hosting a neighborhood picnic tomorrow; I hope the offerings are at least half as good as what you showed! I'm taking deviled eggs; with the pullets laying, we've got an abundance of eggs.

Lilylou said...

I love your blog, Tina! It always gives me a lift. Hugs to both you and The Shepherd,

Katnip Lounge said...

You lost me at CAKE. Scrumptious!

Kathy said...

Glad you had a great Saturday! Wow! Sounds like good friends and good food! The best of everything. :)

Tammy said...

Oh wow...that chocolate cake looks so good...well, it all looks good. It's great you can keep in touch as you have. A person has to be careful what they bring to these gatherings, as it might be a lifetime commitment! ha...

So I guess you resolved the Bella name issue? ;-)

We are doing fine here. Well saturated from all the rain, but no flooding in or around our homes.
Thanks for asking!

Tammy