Well, I made it to that luncheon at the Greenstone Methodist Church, and was happily surprised to see several of my favorite people from the Lutheran Senior Center there too.
There must’ve been 75 attendees, but I only counted 4-5 men including myself. A young man played music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on the piano (he wasn’t included in my count) and we sang Christmas carols after dessert.
I won the poinsettias at our table—well, it was more like a tie. “The winner at each table is the person with a birthday closest to November 2.”
My birthday is October 31, 2 days before. Mary’s is Nov 4, two days after. So we declared it a tie, and after assuring that Mary didn’t want them, gave these to Elaine, a nice lady who sat between us.
I only managed to take a few photos, but thought I’d share them here.
Here’s myself & my orn—I mean good friend Mary. She said “Don’t tell people who read your blog I’m ornery! The last time you mentioned me you said I was ornery!” Okay Mary, my lips are sealed!
Lunch is served—it was a very nice mandarin orange salad with cranberries & walnuts, warm croissant and chicken & swiss cheese quiche. It was REALLY good, and they also served a hot cranberry tea punch that surprised me, how tasty it was. I gulped down 4 cups of the stuff.
And finally, I forgot to take a picture of our dessert (green & red swirled cupcakes) but they sent everyone home with a big box of assorted Christmas cookies (below). They’re sort of famous for these, they bake them annually right there.
I still don’t get it, the free grub just for being a swinger I mean single senior, but I really enjoyed it; I’m mainly thankful I got to spend a couple hours with so many friendly faces.
This is a lovely post Doug - I can hear how you really enjoyed this outing after a really difficult year. Christmas was my late husbands favourite time of year , and I am finding
ReplyDeletethis second Christmas without him even harder than the first, so thank you for a play that made me smile
I will consider you a swinger from now on !
Siobhan
Thank you Siobhan, much appreciated. But I am very sorry you're hurting still. That saying "time heals all wounds" might be true, but they don't say how much time. And yes, consider me a swinger :^)
DeleteIt's called outreach, Doug. For a church to be successful, there has to be 1) a meaningful connection to their idea of God, 2) and something that allows people to use that connection to make positive change in the world. A healthy church has both those things, and remains vibrant and healthy by doing that good. What's the point of a ministry that doesn't minister to anyone?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see you out and about once again. Rock on.
Thanks Debby, I know this church has a strong community outreach program, I just don't feel worthy being a heathen and all. 🙂
DeleteYeah...they're working on that. ;D
DeleteLOL :^)
DeleteMary is ornery, no matter what she says!
ReplyDeleteYou must know Mary, ain't that the truth! 😄❤️
DeleteI am SO glad you got to go to a swinger luncheon! Hopefully there will be many more of these outings. That cranberry punch may just be a good tonic, too. Ornery friends are the BEST!
ReplyDeleteHaha thanks dkzody--so agreed about ornery friends and they did give us the recipe for that hot cranberry tea punch, I'd be happy to share it 😀
DeleteGlad to see you getting back into circulation and feeling a little better. Enjoy the holiday season!
ReplyDeleteThank you David, same to you my friend. :^)
DeleteThat towel is very nice, and the whole afternoon was lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne! The afternoon was indeed lovely and I'm planning on contacting that towelmaker soon about having another one made :^)
DeleteI'm so glad you were able to attend! That orange, cranberry, walnut salad sounds terrific. We are having a family Christmas breakfast and that might be just the ticket. And how great you were able to connect unexpectedly with more swinger friends, too. I am so glad you were up to going.
ReplyDeleteI used to be a member of a church like this. Many times when we dropped off Christmas cookies or invited people to meals, they would tell us, but we aren't members. We were just practicing fellowship, all were welcome. Here is a sad, but sweet story.
A parishoner was visiting a relative in a nursing home. There was another resident who did not have any relatives in the area. They would often visit with him too. When he was dying, he asked if he could have a service at our church even if he wasn't a member. I am Catholic, but even our priest said he would do a prayer service (not an "official catholic funeral). His relatives came from out of state for the service and to retrieve his belongings. Afterward we had prepared a luncheon for them before they left for home which is what we do at my church. They were shocked and grateful. They were not members of our faith, had limited contact with their family member and could not believe strangers had done all this for them. Things like that mean as much to those who do the act as those who receive it.
MEANWHILE - so jealous of those cookies!!! YUM.
Thank you Miss Merry, and that was a sweet story about your former church. Well, I was raised Methodist and it is a Methodist church, but I know they have a strong community outreach program regardless. Who knows, maybe someday I'll attend a service there... :^)
DeleteThe menu sounds wonderful but I'm especially delighted that you got to attend and saw so many friends! The cookies wouldn't last long around here with my sweet tooth and love of them. I just about spit out my water when I read about the "swingers." LOL We used to be friends with a couple who got into that lifestyle; they soon became former friends.
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks very much Margaret--I still haven't cut the string off that box of cookies yet, I'm all too familiar with sweet tooths. As for your former swinger friends, I'd love to hear more someday! 😉
DeleteHow curious that there were so few men among the church luncheon attendees! The meal looked wonderful. Hoping that you will share that cranberry tea punch!
ReplyDeleteThanks Florence! I was a little surprised about the men too... but most older men I know are usually married. I'd be happy to share that tea punch recipe, they printed it on the back of the menu :^)
DeleteThat lunch looked wonderful and such a yummy looking box of cookies! Happy to hear you were able to attend and see your friends. Churches that give back to their community without strings attached are on my 'nice' list, those that only do outreach to proselytize are on my 'naughty' list. I'd love to see the cranberry punch recipe.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Bobi, so well said & I couldn't agree more regarding your church comments. As for that cranberry punch recipe, I am adding it to the bottom of this post right now. :^)
DeleteMan, you eat well. Both there and at home. Such a lovely time for all you swingers! I'd love to taste that quiche. I used to make quiches frequently back in the day. They always were a hit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gigi, but c'mon--no one I know eats as well as you & David! And it was a good quiche, but I know what a good cook you are. I miss your cooking blogs but still enjoy your food ones. :^)
DeleteDoug, what a great event! So happy for you that you attended. My observation has always been that Methodist churches usually do a good job of helpful outreach to everyone. One Methodist congregation in our area serves a full course meal once a month to anyone who wants to come. But watch out for that punch--the sugar content is over the top. Cranberry juice cocktail is loaded with sugar and then I see the recipe calls for another whole cup!
ReplyDeleteThanks Don, and that's nice to know about the Methodist church in your area. I know this one next to me does something similar, they're also known for their Christmas Eve dinners with half the town in attendance--and the local food pantry is run there too. As for that cranberry punch, I've had my fill for the year! :^)
DeleteGreat post, Dug! Sounds like you enjoyed yourself at the Single/Swinger's dinner! And I have to agree that the food looks really good. It's a shame more men didn't attend, but at least you knew friends there. And sending home a box of cookies with everyone is a lovely idea. And FYI, the MRI Tuesday went well... no results yet, but easier than I expected. Pet scan next week.
ReplyDeleteRian, I was so glad to hear from you I got out of bed and got on my computer to publish this. :^) Thank you for your nice words here, and for the update on the MRI. I'm sure I'm not the only one that's been wondering how you are. Keeping my fingers crossed we get some positive news here and soon.
DeleteSounds like a wonderful time, with lots of good food (and drink) and great friends.
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to make a heated cranberry punch - it had no tea in it though...I'm sure we kids were hyper enough with the sugar content.
Enjoy the cookies!
Thank you Maebeme! Well, I never even heard of a heated punch until this week. Never knew something like that could be so good. As for those cookies, I have yet to cut the string on that box, because once I do... :^)
DeleteHey Doug I’ve been called worst than ornery lol
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS🎄🎄
Merry Christmas... Mary? Or is this Connie ;^)
DeleteHi Doug, so glad to read you made it to the luncheon! Everything looks very tasty. Lovely to see Evvie. She looks incredible. Your Christmas box of cookies looks great too. I hope more outings are in your future!❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteRobin
Thank you Robin, you're very sweet! (And you're right about Evvie, everytime I see that photo of her I smile.) I hope you're doing well and I also hope Chuck is enjoying his retirement. :^)
DeleteNice you could get out to the luncheon for what looks to be quite delectable. Hope you continue to recover from your long Covid.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Joared, and it's nice to hear from you. 🙂
DeleteThat looked like a pre-Christmas lunch, and as that great philosopher Bing Crosby once opined: “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. That’s because it was 41 degrees here in Melbourne yesterday (that’s 106 in American units)
ReplyDeleteFortunately, a change came through about 8 o’clock last night so it’s not too bad today.
That lunch looked better to me than your previous posted one. I’d’ve added a fine Australian (or Californian or French) chardonnay to accompany it. They probably didn’t give you that option.
It’s good that you could catch up with your friends. I think that’s what this season is all about.
Thanks Peter, and wow--that is some pretty hot temps! But I know it's summer in Australia right now... still! Anyway, yes that lunch was really nice and you're right, a glass of wine would've been more suited for what we ate, but that cranberry tea really packed a punch. :^) Anyway, it was great to see so many fiends from the center there, that's what I Liked best of all. :^)
DeleteSounds like a good time was had by all, Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bohemian, I'm posting one more about this tomorrow morning. Merry Christmas to you too. :^)
Delete