The Last Party

Saturday was a reception on the bride's hometown with the people that her family wasn't able to invite to the wedding.  It was a a lovely historical home that had just been decorated for Christmas.  Cocktails, appetizers and music greeted us and then we were treated to a delicious meal and desserts.  I didn't know that many people, but everyone was so festive and happy to meet my son and his family.

I had a sense of sadness that there will  be nothing more to celebrate!  The newlyweds are still glowing and all smiles.  The families of both are still thrilled that they found someone special.  We so enjoyed the bride's family and I will miss talking to and seeing them as often as we have over the course of the wedding planning. I thought I was over the "down" time after the wedding.  But today I have been teary, yet again.

Now I am working on Thanksgiving, as everyone is.  But my heart isn't into the decorating like I normally am.  This will be the first Thanksgiving without my son.  One of many, I am sure.  But this is the first.  He will be with his wife and her brother's girlfriend's family.  However, they will be here Saturday to celebrate our Thanksmas with my sister and her family.  This will be the last time all of us will be together for at least a couple of years because my nephew will be joining the Peace Corps.

So, I will decorate the Thanksmas table a little more than for Thanksgiving.  And of course will have party favors.  This year I am into Pinecones.  I will use the party favors to decorate for Thanksgiving, and then some will be used for Thanksmas.  Those table decorations will also be their party favors

Each lady will take home the candle holder with the pinecones in the base and matches.

Each guy will take home the pinecone tree decoration.  They will also receive a homemade beer made by the No. 1 son. (Last year he made Pumpkin Ale.)

And then of course the place card in the predictable presentation.  But hey, it's a pinecone!