of Food and Friends: Food Celebrates Friendships

Monday, August 17, 2015

Food Celebrates Friendships

Sometimes food shared with friends doesn't have recipes to share. Sometimes it doesn't even come from a home kitchen! But the celebrations can be just as special. Last week I enjoyed two special gatherings of friends and the food was delicious (purchased from local vendors and delis) and beautifully presented. These will be events to remember with the special feelings of friendship that was shared with the foods.

The first event celebrated a friend moving to another city after 25 years of teaching and being a part of the community. We are sorry to see her leave, but wish her well in her move to live closer to her daughter. The end of summer reception echoed the colors of summer with bright pink, lime green, and purple. The beautifully presented rack of cupcakes were from a local young chef who returned to her home community after pastry school. Cinnamon rolls were from the local restaurant that is known for the tasty treats. And a bountiful fruit platter was the center of the table. Candies and napkins in the summer colors accented the colorful refreshments. About 40 women, many of them teachers or fellow members of local civic organizations, gathered to visit and enjoy the morning.

The next day I traveled to Winfield for the annual gathering of retired Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agents. Only 15 of us were able to make the day, so the hostess chose to have us at her home instead of a church basement. Our treat indeed! Her home is decorated like Country Sampler with delights in every space. She used patrotic colors to highlight the red and blue Fiesta dinnerware. And, the food was good - chicken salad from the deli of the grocery and frozen pies from the grocery also that would rival any homemade! She completed the menu with relishes, chips and jello salads. We had a great day visiting and planning for next year's trip to Salina for our gathering.