Sunday 8 August 2010

A Jolly weekend.







We have had friends staying for the weekend, hence the lack of posts on my blog. There is a lot of work involved in having people to stay, planning the meals, shopping for the food, cooking etc. But, my goodness, what a reward one gets when a weekend goes particularly well - as this one did.

Our friends arrived for lunch on Saturday, for which I had made a large pan of minestrone - it made itself really and was so easy. We had that with crusty bread and with yoghourt and fruit to follow - easy peasy.

But in the evening we had a buffet with cold meats, salmon, prawns and salads and cheese, followed by trifle, fruit pie, ice cream and home-made sauces - and we had an old-fashioned musical evening. What fun we had.

One old friend, almost into her nineties and a brilliant musician and pianist, played and was accompanied by Dominic on the Double bass and a couple of other friends on their ukuleles. Then two of us played piano duets (I have spent all week practising to get the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba up to speed). A good time was had by all.

So, a short post today as I tidy round now that the friends have gone back to Windermere, where they live - but look at the photographs I took and share, for a moment in the music-making. What can be better than a group of dear friends?

19 comments:

Jinksy said...

How glorious! A musical evening - gee wilikins, that takes me back! Not that ours ever rose to the heights of a double bass - more the comb/paper/piano/recorder variety, with much singing and improvisation by the percussion section. You have made me quite homesick! :)

Elizabeth said...

Gosh, what fun this looks!
So glad you had an entertaining evening.....and can play the piano.
I'm impressed.

Rosaria Williams said...

Lovely! Yes, family and friends' visiting can be daunting, but oh, so rewarding. They give us that wonderful thing called love and friendship that binds us together. Thanks for sharing with us.

Heather said...

It sounds perfect Pat and you had your own mini orchestra. It's a very long time since we had a musical evening and don't even have a piano any more. My husband had a very good bass voice and my mother accompanied him on the piano. I sing in the bath and only then if no-one is listening! Thankyou for sharing your lovely weekend with us.

Unknown said...

I can imagine you all having a high old time, Weaver! I can't play a note but I might manage Jinksy's paper and comb!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Fun, fun, fun!
Musical friends are always the best, aren't they!?

RedWriter said...

That looks like so much fun. :) x

Hildred said...

What a lovely week-end you must have had! There is nothing like home-made music to add to the joy of friendship. Congratulations on the Queen of Sheba!

Gerry Snape said...

What fantastic fun, I love a good old music get together. Lovely!

Totalfeckineejit said...

The arrival of the Queen of Sheeba was Mrs EEjits wedding entrance music, never has a tune been so misappropriated.

Looks like a fun weekend!

Golden West said...

Isn't it amazing the music that can be had from a ukelele? Looks like a delightful evening for everyone!

steven said...

weaver what a time!! while we were in prince edward island we attended a ceilidh and it took me back to similar events i attended as a child. what tremendous fortune you have to be in the company of such talented people!! steven

Dominic Rivron said...

It was great, wasn't it? I'm amazed at all the seemingly long faces in the photos (including mine!). It was avery cheerful gathering in fact! Perhaps it was an effect of all the concentration - and the wine.

Pondside said...

What a good weekend you must have had. It sounds an awful lot like what happens when my family gets together. Everyone is expected to sing or play something and we all have a ball!

Reflections said...

Sounds like a wonderful time with friends. Glad the weekend went well.

Von said...

Hi there,was directed here by Dominic, what a fun time you had and with some Percy Grainger thrown in.Just out of an interest in trivia, I started life in the same place as Percy.
Course as soon as I saw the header photo come up on your blog I became a follower..anyone who knows geese is a friend of mine.

Rachel Fox said...

I just love Dominic's shirt!
x

mrsnesbitt said...

A fantastic time there Weaver! I must get my guitar out and give it a dust down! I love musical moments with friends!

Nancy said...

What a wonderful weekend! I have fond memories of my Aunt Lucy playing the piano while my brother and I played the clarinet, my sister played the flute and everyone else sang.