Kelly and Jay's Open House

Hey Everyone,
We had a great party weekend we had!

Saturday night we were invited to a friend's 50th b-day party and she wanted a themed "70s" party. Her friends went ALL out and purchased a few furniture pieces at thrift stores--velour and printed, and all orange and brown. There were hanging beads in every doorway, an old console tv with a real Atari game connected and playable, games (Twister, Rock'em Sock'em Robots), and all the foods from that decade--fondue, swedish meatballs, pumperknickel and cornbeef sandwiches, celery with cheese spread, cheese wiz and buggles (yum).




Jay sported an old polyester jacket in true used car salesman style (turquoise blue checked) with a white shirt, tie, and short pants with white socks. He also quaffed his hair up and I sprayed it to stay in place. It was like looking at dad from his volkswagon days :). I had on black boots, black leather skirt, and a knitted sweater with a scarf around my head. I also sported Nana's turquoise dangly earrings! We were a fetching pair. I couldn't help but think we looked much like John and Priscilla at one of their (in)famous parties in ShadowWood (with the Watkins and Donaldsons)!

Then bright and early Sunday morning Jay and I were up and in a flurry of activity to get ready for our open house party. Our good friend Laura was there early helping with the arrangements on the front porch and last minute menu items. We served food inside at the island and on the dining room table. We had chairs inside and tables/chairs outside on the front porch. Mom will be happy to note that we had fresh flowers at each table inside and out. Laura also picked a few daffodils from the backyard and put then on a table at the front porch. We served fresh smoked trout with lemon and dills sauce(Jay's special), sliced smoked ham (thanks to a gift certificate from Cheri for a honey baked ham), mini rolls and cheese for sandwiches, and ricotta and asparagus bruschetta. Laura brought a few vegetable trays. I made florentines (delicate thin cookies of crushed nuts, brown sugar and dried cherries with dark chocolate spread on top). Guests brought cookies, ham rolls, and a chocolate cake and cupcakes (our stand-in wedding cake).

Folks started arriving for a beautiful 65 degree and sunny day at the house around 1:00 and from then on, the house was packed until 8:00pm. What a great day...friends, family, co-workers, student and former students...all having a great time together eating, drinking, and hanging out on the sunny front porch. We couldn't have asked for any better. Oh, but it gets better...Jay's brothers and sisters and mom brought us a few gifts. One is a frame with 4 picture slots, each with a special photograph taken by Cherie and Dave. Each picture represents both the letters of WOOD and items that capture both Jay's metal work and features on the MSU campus. Very very clever! It's a total keeper, now where to showcase it in the house? I would love it in my office too. Then they rolled in a huge round mirror (probably 4.5 feet across) with large log/timber slices (stained) all put together in a circular pattern. A very striking piece thanks to Kim (Neal's wife, but a gift from the whole clan). We are overwhelmed with the creative and thoughtful gifts they shared with us yesterday. After that, Jay and I even cut the chocolate cake together and fed one another with camera lights flashing. Right afterwards Jay asked if it was time to leave now that the cake was cut (a Papa Koestner line at wedding receptions).






It was close to 10pm before the last of the guests departed into the darkness of our driveway...we sat at the island chatting for the last 2 hours after most everyone left. A great way to cap off a fabulous day. We are blessed with wonderful friends, loving family, and a beautiful house in which to live. How lucky we are. Wish my Cronley/Blackledge/Swiat/Sumner family could have been there, but they were in spirit. I can look forward to spending quality time with sister Lisa the weekend of April 3. Then in June we'll ALL be together for Kevin Cronley's wedding. Much to celebrate then.

Kelly & Jay