Off to Nashville for the Crigger's Annual Cookie Painting Party. Guests came from far and wide...Betsey from Virginia, (we graduated from high school & college together)
Ellen from West Virginia, (another high school & college alum, but Ellen was younger than Bonne, Betsey and me...2 years to be exact...when we were Seniors, she was a Sophomore...inside joke)
We were all met by Driver Gary at the airport...nice hat, Gary.
and Jan from Minnesota, (long-time friend of Bonne's...who is now our newest best friend)...
and me from CA.
How Bonne got us all there this year...we'll never know.
Must have been the promise of Almond Champagne...
Yes, it was quite the slumber party...
and where's Gary? Too many women for him, I guess.
Next day, we all piled in the car (poor Bonne had to scrunch in the back) for the Crigger's official tour of Nashville....
Alan Jackson's estate...unfortunately, he wasn't around to invite us in.
...and a swing by "The Bluebird Cafe"...a Nashville classic for finding future stars.
Gary even knew the mansion where the TV show 'Nashville' was being filmed.
Lots to see in this town...saw homes of Leann Rhimes, Martina MacBride, Belmont Mansion, Music City Row, Painter's Alley, Tootsie's, and even the pooping lions!
How could one leave Nashville without seeing those.
Back to the house now to prep for the big night (Cooking Painting Party)...Bonne had chores for each of us.. Betsey and I were in charge of making all of the frosting...
Took us all evening for that task...hey, what were Ellen and Jan doing?
But, Bonne kept the Champagne flowing...the frosting colors looked a little goofy as the evening wore on. Wonder why?
Now the pre-party has started...more guests have arrived.
Here's Betsey, me, Yvonne (a Nashville friend), Ellen, Bonne, Jan, and Mary (a friend from Cleveland...more about Mary later).
The guys were totally ignoring us...I wonder why?
Okay...what are they singing...must be "Stop in the Name of Love"...or 'don't give me anymore champagne.'
Oh...yeah...and this was just the pre-party.
The next day...we just relaxed. Jan & Bonne and my feet.
and...Ellen & Gary...waiting for the big day...we'll all be jumping into action soon.
Guests arrive @ 3:30 p.m.
Rooms were inspected by Decorator Bonne...we were all trembling hoping we'd pass.
Betsey...don't touch that wreath!
All dressed up and waiting for the guests.
We clean up real good, don't ya think?
The caterers are here...yeah...we don't have to do the dishes!
Jan & Gary waiting for the onslaught of Nashville guests...
really like that shirt and sweater, Gary...but no button down collar?
...and this is what it was all about...
let the Cookie Painting Party begin!
No hesitation at all on the part of guests...they were standing in line waiting for a spot at the table.
...and once the cookies were painted...our job was to hang them on the tree.
Met so many great friends of Bonne & Gary's...actors, musicians, professors, decorators, retirees, and even Bonne's pilates instructor (cutest, of course)...you name 'em...they know 'em!
But the after party was the most fun...
here are Mary and Clifford, professional opera singers, who performed for us all during the Talent segment of the after-party. Clifford's "O Holy Night" was magnificent, but Mary's French Christmas Carol...made our hearts melt.
However, their talent was a little more professional than Betsey's rendition of "Flipping Cow Piles" in West Virginia. Yep...that's our West Virginia girls! But it got the most laughs!
What a fun week-end we had! Thanks to Bonne and Gary for making this our
"Best Cookie Painting Party" Ever!
(Maybe we'll be invited back again.)
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