Traditions!

One of my favorite December traditions is an annual party I attend in Portland. It started as a cookie decorating party in 1996, and we've held some version of it every year since, making 2011's the 16th! That's mind boggling.

Counting me, seven of the adults in the picture have been there since the beginning. I've been to six weddings of people in this picture, helped name one of the kids, and got to meet one of the babies on the day of her birth! I feel super lucky to have this richness in my life. Hurrah for holiday traditions!

I get by

Ah, what a lovely weekend: two friends who I met in Portland in 1996 came to visit. We've got such a long and rich history and come together so easily. We didn't do a lot, really - hung out, drank coffee, ate a lot of great food. I brought them to a lovely foodfest hosted by local friends, and we even threw a brunch on Sunday that consisted mostly of Seattle people I didn't know - some visiting, some moved here.

As I dropped guest #1 off at the airport this morning, Joe Cocker played on the radio:

Do you need anybody
I just need someone to love
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
With a little help from my friends.