Cookie Party at Gerlinde's

My friend Gerlinde moved here from Germany in the early Sixties, just a few years ahead of me. Kate and Charlotte were practically neighbors back in the Sixties (same graduating class, different schools) but it took a long time for them to meet--when we were in a group together a couple of years ago.  We became something of a foursome when we all retired from that group, now calling ourselves "the drop-outs."

Gerlinde married Tim, a self-admittedly "imperfect" man we all think is quite wonderful, and they live in a beautiful artful house and travel all over the world.  We know Tim as a maker of excellent coffee (according to the coffee lovers) and a super host.

This afternoon was like an old-time Christmas party--with Gerlinde's yummy homemade cookies (five kinds) and Tim's fancy coffee that Kate and Charlotte rave about.

Among the pretty heirloom ornaments on their tree, they have a "fallen angel" that looks remarkably like Kate-with-wings doing a nosedive down the tree.  On the hearth is a handsome wooden Santa that looks like the Real McCoy, but it turns out he was formerly Chinese, his features and attire repainted by Gerlinde.

What a great way to spend a pre-Christmas afternoon--sharing books and magazines, cookies and conversation!

Kate, Charlotte, and Gerlinde

Santa Clause

The Santa Clause of Coffee, a.k.a. Tim