I am so thankful

I was joking with Shalane about it on the back porch as she played the part of a nasty smoker. I told her how I was happy to have married into this. Then, she pointed out the thing I am more specifically happy about, that I am 'still' able to enjoy and be invited to partake of such culinary ecstacy. This is just one of several trays of goodies for us to fill ourselves with prior to the execution of 'cookie night' activities, a yearly ritual. This one had salamis and other yummy meats as well as brie and like 8 or 9 other cheeeses, mmm, this and shrimp and spinach dip and artichoke dip and some kinda quiche supm and some other dip really made my tummy pleased.
At a lull, I took a rest in the nice comfy chair by the tree.
And so it begins. The tray of sugar cookies is fresh from the oven and the decorationing items are put on the table.
Rhianna is working.

Jimmy decided blue was needed so he mixed up a batch of blue icing.

No one likes me, so poor angry cookie man got stuck being my new friend. I really like him. Well, I braked his neck a little while ago, oops.
My next was the traditional Christmas tree.
Then, I made a nice cookie, but, no surprise, he got a red blob on his face and was therefore destined for my belly.
These is Rhianna's creations. I like the blue tree and the sun dress on her cookie lady. The strangeness on her arm is a bracelet.
Linda, the hostess of this and many gatherings in which elaborate food displays are made, was hard at work next to me.
Tina, one of the ex-cousin-in-laws, who moved to LA to pursue her musical aspirations, came to visit with this guy, her new beau, Chuck, I think, who made this really cool santa looking cookie man.
Yeah, not the greatest lighting. Travis, the ex-brother-in-law, just came from a show that his band played, so he had the bongos and a guitar available for a musical conclusion to the evening. 
Then, Tina's beau, Chuck? traded with Travis and played the guitar a bit as he sang. They are all pretty good musicians. Unfortunately, however, being successful in the music world is really a crap shoot. Talent and abilities really have little to do with whether or not you actually enjoy popularity. I really admire and respect the peeps who devote their life to being a musician. Regardless of 'on paper' success, they are realizing their dream and doing what drives them every day. It is likely why musicians have been admired for so long. Everyone loves music and those who provide it, but I think, everyone likewise respects and admires someone who is actually doing what they were gifted to be able to do. How many people sitting in a box somewhere would be better building something or inventing something yet continue to be driven by fear of the unknown? 

Ok, I dunno why I can't type under the next picture. Therefore, I will just put it up here. Angry cookie man was not happy at all about being put in plastic, suffocating, ya know.

Listening to: Superstition, by Stevie Wonder.