Today Mr. Bill asked if I had thought much about a small Christmas party. Not really, I didn't think he would really be up to it! All this led to conversations of past holiday parties at Fred's News! It started out as a small party for our employees, but as the years passed, it evolved into a massive gathering of food, fun, stories, more food and definite laughter.
These parties required weeks of planning and cooking, always worrying someone would be left out. Then of course, in New England, the weather also had to be factored in. One particular party night, we had weathered a snow storm most of the day. As the weather cleared in the late afternoon, the next issue, cleaning up the front and back area for parking. Todd and his trusty old plow truck to the rescue. Soon snow was piled high along the sides of the driveway, the area scraped clean. The front sidewalk, shoveled and sanded as well, beckoned all into the warm, comforting dining room with its shimmering holiday lights and the aromas of all the foods ready for the hungry Guests to arrive. It was a wonderful night, allowing all to forget the massive amounts of snow that had just been dumped on this small New England village. I am sure the following morning, reality hit, as the winter wonderland turned to messy roads, salted and sanded, making every car look as though it hadn't been cleaned since it left the showroom.
I don't really remember the number of holiday parties we hosted, but oh, the highlights, we remember them well. Son Mark along with Jamie and Jordan Jones. always decorated the tree, usually with Christmas Carols blaring in the background. I sometimes wondered if we'd be ready on time for the Guests to arrive, but always, everything in it's place or at least hidden under or behind something else, out of the public view. Of course after the party was over, we always went looking for something that had been hastily thrown out of sight. One year, son, Chef Matthew made a gorgeous castle, entirely of sugar cubes, glitter, complete with it's own forest of evergreens, it was breathtaking. He had thought about an ice sculpture or ginger bread holiday house, but the castle, so unique and so beautiful, it was photographed and talked about for weeks!
Of course the food...no party complete without an array of mouthwatering dishes. Prime rib, turkey, holiday ham, lasagna, homemade baked beans, pork pies, luscious salads and cheeses, dips and oh the desserts, absolutely decadent. As a gift, each Guest was always sent home with a plate of holiday cookies...a tradition at Fred's News. Now I am beginning to understand why Mr. Bill thought of a party....the food!
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