It's
high time you met SMK, aka Sister Mary Katherine. Go back one post
if you want the background info. This woman is amazing, and I have a
ton of stories to tell, but I'll start with some basics that will
give you a good picture.
SMK
knows how to throw a party. She does it ALL the time, despite having
a house full of day care kiddos all day. She'll host our wine club
at the end of a long day, knowing she has to get up at the
butt-crack of dawn to receive those kids early. She's a great cook,
and will always whip up something really special for those occasions,
even when those of us who have more time bring take-out or stuff to
throw in the oven. She takes the time to make us feel special.
Crusted ahi tuna, anyone?
She
also throws a damn good direct-sales party. You know, Pampered Chef,
Longaberger, Tastefully Simple, Party Lite, Lia Sophia jewelry...you
name it, she'll host it. What makes her parties like this a don't
miss (because c'mon, we'd usually rather miss them...and this is
coming from Tina who sold Longaberger nine years and Mary Kay
three...) is the unique gift she gives each of us as the party
starts.
When
it's time for introductions and the customary consultants, “And
please tell us how you know SMK when you introduce yourself,”
she'll do it HER way. We have that in common. Do it OUR way. After
all, it's the right way, isn't it?
She
climbs up on her big hearth and will go around the room, introducing
each guest and saying something she loves about that person. (By the
way, she loves me because there's ALWAYS wine at my house. Usually
in a box, but nonetheless she can always find a glass or two. Damn,
I still feel bad about when I was boxless one night...hate to
disappoint...) Starting the party this way produces a lot of laughter and ice-breaking
and is the perfect way to make your guests feel special.
The
best party of the year though is The Seafood Boil. She comes from a
big family, and at the end of the summer they all invite their
friends to this combined family amazing feast. Tables are covered in
paper, tents are set up, big pots of seafood and all the sides are
thrown onto the table and people step up and dive in. What could be
better? The night approaches slowly, the little kids play on the
playground, the big kids play soccer, or they play with the little
kids (a highlight if you're a little kid and it's been fun watching
OYT (see previous post for who that is) graduate from grateful little
kid to big kid whom the littles adore.)
This
year I couldn't go. Broke my heart. Too sick. She said she'd save
me some. She didn't just do that though. She invited me to her
house full-o-kids during their nap-time and set it all out JUST like
if I'd been at the party. “The seafood boil is not a solitary
event. You're coming HERE.” So I feasted, and tried not to cry in
gratitude and joy as I enjoyed my mussels, shrimp, clams, crab,
crawfish, corn on the cob, fingerling potatoes, zucchini, yellow
squash, crusty french bread, plenty of butter for dipping, and let's
not leave out the octopus “uglies” (which are really tasty and
there's usually plenty because of seafood wimps) and wine, which she
also set out for me.
Wouldn't
you want your own SMK? I'm glad I have mine. Thanks for the feast,
and all the love you show with all your efforts for your friends.
