Tuesday, June 21, 2011

52 Weeks of Happiness :: Week 16

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The adventure of going
solo to a dinner party.


I was invited to attend a dinner party

for the staff of Athens Patch,

the on-line publication that I write a weekly column for.


I left my husband at home with the boys
and ventured out to spend the evening with fellow writers,
most of which I had never met.


I felt a bit nervous as I knocked
on the door
and wondered if I was out of my league
to attend a party with local writers.

Until the hostess
answered the door with a smile
and a hug.

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Meg pulled me into her beautiful home
that was dripping with southern hospitality
and I somehow felt drawn into her life
as I encountered each beautiful room.

Her warmth and charm put me at ease.

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As other people arrived and
the party got underway,
I spied Meg working hard in the kitchen.

My mama taught me
that it can never hurt
to ask the hostess if she needs any help.
So, I made my way over to her
and offered my assistance.

Somehow, we fell into the most
fantastic conversation about scouting out happiness and
I discovered that she is also a firm believer
in looking for the joys of life.

Our conversation was a blessing
and I found a kindred spirit
over mushrooms being tossed onto tiny pizzas.

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The evening progressed
and with each tiny sip of white wine,
I felt more and more at place
amongst so many interesting people.

Floating around the room
and chatting with other writers
about the craft of arranging words,
I found a candy dish
that I kept returning to throughout the party.

The sugary goodness filled my head
as I would sneak bite after bite of Jellybeans.
It reminded me that life can be so sweet.

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After my tummy was full
and Meg had sent me home
with a to-go box full
of homemade peach cobbler
and a promise to see each other again soon,

I drove home happy and
the sunset was insanely beautiful.

So much so that I pulled over
on the side of a country road,
sat on the hood of my car,
all by myself,
and watched the sun go down.

My spirit felt full and content.

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Want to join me in my quest
to scout out happiness for a whole year?
Simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy and tell us all about it.
Then, steal my button and include it in your post.
Don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky.


27 comments:

Jen said...

What wonderful southern charm! And what a treasure to watch the sunset for a final dessert! Love it!

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Sounds like a wonderful night. Beautiful sunset.

Unknown said...

How charming, she has a beautiful home.

Anonymous said...

How fun!! Sounds like a great night!

patty said...

what an amazing moment...
(and imagine her stress w unknown stranger BLOGGERS on their way to her home!)

:)

patty@www.findingserendipity.com

Mary Jessica said...

Beautiful! I love the image of you watching the sunset - perfect end to a lovely night.

Leovi said...

Wonderful light, beautiful colors, beautiful sky backlighting exceptional, excellent shots. Delicious photos.

Tiffany said...

What a perfect evening!

Tiffany

Little Hatchlings said...

I always get apprehensive when I have to attend anything without my hubby too but it sounds like you had a wonderful time with a great hostess.

Ducky said...

What a wonderful time! And the sunset...I love to sit and breathe in sunrises and sunsets. How perfectly divine to stop and sit on the hood of your car to take it in. To me THAT is definitely takeing time to enjoy the most simple and most full moments of joy life freely throws at us that so many blink away!

Susan Anderson said...

What a perfect evening, Leigh!

=)

Kelly Lund and Kids said...

What a wonderful time you must have had... I love love love that candy dish!!! :) Happy Tuesday!!

Caution/Lisa said...

A full spirit! I love that line. I think I should host a party like that. Do you think take out pizza would be okay?

Pieni Lintu said...

So lovely! :)

Gina Kleinworth said...

Sounds like it turned out to be a lovely time. I would have been nervous too- but I find that once I step out of my comfort zone & let loose a bit- I end up enjoying myself.

Caroline said...

Leigh it looks like such a great time! An evening surrounded by talented people is a happy one indeed! I am so glad you had fun! :)

Christy said...

I think I just got a million goose bumps reading this post! Beautiful story and gorgeous sunset, ciao bella!

Katherine said...

How nice to have time by yourself. And not just rushing there and back like I find myself doing, but taking time to enjoy each moment.

janie said...

What better way to culminate an already sweet night than to be able to sit back and enjoy a beautiful sunset. :)

deb duty said...

Sounds like a lovely time!

Cropped Stories said...

Your post made me oh so hungry! Sounds like you had a great night! Forgive me if it's right under my nose, but I don't see Mr. Linky or where to submit for your photo challenge. My allergies are horrible and I'm sort of livin' in a fog at the moment.

Linda D. said...

Southern Hospitality at it's best! I'm smiling outside and inside.

from mel said...

that is so wonderful. and i love the jellybean tower too.

Unknown said...

Her house was gorgeous. I too love helping a hostess out, you can learn a lot by their kitchen. Gorgeous sunset

Kristy @Loveandblasphemy said...

That is lovely! Good for you for getting past the anxiousness, going for it, and having a good time.

Dee at Pedestrian Palate said...

What a nice experience. Great pictures.

Unknown said...

I absolutely love your quests for happiness and enjoyable life moments.
This sounds like such a wonderful evening, and quite the connection with your host!

{postin' w/ my google but my blogs on wordpress} unless you want the latest German food recipe I was taught! ;)

http://ostranderblog.wordpress.com/