Day 868 Sanctuary

 As I opened all my wonderful hostess gifts I was overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of my guests...but then again, I always say, I have the best friends! I love the tradition of bringing a little present to someone who's opening their home and inviting friends into their inner sanctuary. As I cleaned and reorganized my house I would open a gift each time I took a break, making quick work of my clean up. My daughter always arrives with a gift, a double win for me since I take full credit for teaching her well and get prizes now every time she's invited over for a festive occasion. The gifts are typically geared towards the hostess and not the host, probably due to the fact that it's more likely the women bringing the gift, identifying with all the work us women do for party prep....sorry guys. Tim knew that even the gifts that were labeled Tim & Rachel were the spoils of all my party prep efforts and let me open them all. I wonder if this tradition will continue with the younger generation? Do they bring gifts when invited to parties? I really don't know, other than my own children who have been taught that it's proper etiquette. My son once called me in a quandary, on his way to a friends house for dinner and unsure if he should bring red or white wine. As a non wine drinker he was completely out of his element in the liquor store and had me on the phone as he shopped. He ended up buying a bottle of each, covering all his bases and gifting fabulous bottles of vino. I enjoyed that he was aware enough to not show up empty handed.... another proud mom moment. My house is almost back to "normal" and ready for the next round of craziness. I'll be hosting Christmas dinner so better start planning my menu!!! Yikes. My daughter bought a giant ham for me to cook, ensuring I make ham for the main course and everyone wants Au Gratin Potatoes but the rest is unknown, the wild west of possibilities. I have several dishes that never made it out for my party, they are frozen in the outside cooler and if the weather remains subzero they'll be safe there until Christmas. The temps are struggling to make it into the teens, single digits keeping us in the big freeze. Even Peps has stayed inside, only venturing out for a brief moment before coming back in. She wasn't impressed with all the party people, it was too cold to be outside and too many people inside so she ended up in my bedroom with the door closed for a little peace and quiet. Parties are toughest for pets, maybe they should be the ones to get little prizes? A little catnip would have gone a long way. I'll have to think of her before hosting another party, after all, it's her sanctuary too.