As The Seasons Change

Continuing the tradition of Gratitude Friday started by Dianna of Creative Structureshttp://creativestructures.blogspot.com/2009/07/gratitude-friday-club.html"I am, as always grateful for my 14 best friends, the Club Girls from 5th & Porter.Way back in February 09, I started my Blog by describing our special bond/relationship. We have been friends since grade school and most of us still live within 45 minutes of each other. We have been there for each other through teenage crushes and heartbreaks, weddings, parenthood , a few devastating losses, sending kids off to school, etc.,etc. For the past 30 years, we have taken turns meeting at someone's house one Friday night each month.It is always a good time!

This week we celebrated Abby's Birthday at Scanniccio"s a local BYOB, with fabulous food. I forgot my camera so I have no pics. Their Stuffed Calamari over Linguine is one of my favorite dishes, as is their Sausage and Figs in a Balsamic Reduction appetizer. Though the food was amazing, it was time, laughs and conversation with special friends that I really cherish.

By far the highlight of the week was the wedding of one of the "Club" kids, Andrew C. Andrew and Lindsey met at the University of Delaware. Though they live in Maryland now, they spend a considerable amount of time in the Philadelphia area with Andrews' parents and extended family. Saturday was a perfect day for a wedding - sunny and warm, but not hot and not a cloud in the sky.Lindsey is one of the nicest, sweetest young woman I have ever met.

The Hotel was beautiful, the food was wonderful and the music was great. I'm sure that I burned some calories dancing, though my feet and my knees are not thrilled today. I finally got the hang of a new dance, the Cuban Shuffle, when the song was over. I doubt that I will remember it next time! A highlight of the evening was a surprise visit by 5 members of the Quaker City String Band. They are one of the most popular of the 21 String Bands that march in the Annual New Year's Day Parade. Lindsey planned this as a surprise for Andrew who marches in the parade with one of the Fancy Brigades. No Philadelphia wedding is complete without a dance we affectionately call the Mummers Strut.

Of course a very lively Mummers Strut (To the tune of When the Saints Go Marching IN) took place on the Dance Floor.

Though not the best picture, thirteen of the fourteen of us are in this photo. I am really grateful to have had the opportunity to share a great time with great friends this week!