I had a two-part birthday this year: Part the First was held at my parents’ house in Gig Harbor, over the course of a week. We met Grandpa and Dottie and my aunt Sandy for a dinner out, had a wonderful evening with Leslie and ST discussing Lovecraft, atheism, and households, and finally played host to Kim and Michelle and Marika for an afternoon feast on the shiny new deck. Michelle and I talked for almost the entire time about Sherlock Holmes, and she also recommended an excellent British rendition of Jane Austen’s Persuasion that we got ahold of for Birthday, Part the Second.

Earlier this summer I found the most gorgeous dress at a thrift shop, and I’d been hankering for an event fancy enough to wear it to. Why not make my own, then? I invited a bunch of friends over for a fancy tea party, and proceeded to work my butt off in the preceding days cleaning the house and making all sorts of delectable delicacies. Thomas and I swept, wiped, set out several types of hot and iced teas, got out nice little dishes, and were dressed and relaxed by the time the first guest arrived.

The whole thing was a complete success, with excellent conversations (though I should have enforced accents), yummy treats and accompanying yummy sounds, clinking of tea cups on their saucers, and of course, fancy clothes. We even made an impromptu appearance at Laughing Planet after the movie to supplement the tea sandwiches. Huzzah!

Best of all, my friend Anna dropped by while she was in town, and I got a chance to feed her, too. There’s no end to catching up and meeting new people these days, as I also have a great new web design client and a tea date with the head of the Oregon College of Arts and Crafts woodworking department. How will I ever finish my book before it’s due at the library? Will anyone ever drag me out of the kitchen? Tune in next time for the dramatic conclusion!