if you've ever wondered if it's worth it...

last night i hosted my first "creative chef/pampered memories" party, as j. would say.

a creative memories party, that is. "get together" as my "consultant" called it.

before throwing this party i almost canceled my weekend trip to vermont out of fear that i wouldn't get the house cleaned in time. i came home early monday evening to vacuum and dust. i had my mother-in-law purchase honey roasted peanuts and lemon tart from Trader Joe's. i guilted j. into picking up a bottle of wine and moving our cedar chest into the living room to be used as a coffee table. i ignored a friend when she emailed to say she couldn't come (i've gotten over it now and can't wait to see her tomorrow). i rushed home with my stomach in knots and raced around putting all my piles in the bedroom along with the body ball and two boxes of crystal that never made it to storage. i carefully arranged the plates, wine glasses, forks, tea, honey, and sugar on the counter and placed chocolates and peanuts in little dishes around the room.

so was it worth it?

i can honestly say i had an absolute blast. only three other women came (mom B., a.h., and j.l.) and it was the perfect size. i was so afraid that the consultant would find that we're all too poor to buy anything, but surprisingly she made a lot of sales. i was given a lovely hostess gift, we all made two scrapbook pages, and to top it all off i was credited $55 worth of merchandise for being the hostess.

best of all, as women we were able to sit around a table and focus on encouraging one another in the creation of something beautiful.

even j., when he came home from orchestra rehearsal, expressed excitement to see how our albums turn out in the future. so funny to hear him talking about how great "corner rounders" are.

i hope the girls and i can continue to get together and create memories...