I just love a great party, good people, good food and a good environment!

Although my family did not entertain often, we did entertain and each party was memorable. Each of the five kids got to have a yearly birthday party. Every few months my parents had other parents over from our Church; on big, rare occasions, we had a fancy party at a country club.

One thing we did almost every night was entertain each other. We might discuss school, world events, tell jokes, ask questions or put on skits. Mom might recite a poem or make up a story. We always laughed. I guess that's what I love most about a great party, laughing.

Over the years I've put on small parties for two to three day family reunions to a large street fair for 1200. I like to have something extra at gatherings, like favors, games, activities, entertainment, decorations or a theme--just something that makes it memorable.

I've hired clowns, a talking parrot, a celebrity impersonator (as the Pope), a marionette show, singers, a balloon animal maker, a jumping cage, musicians, etc.

I've had many Christmas, Thanskgiving and dinner parties, baby showers, surprise and birthday parties, cuisine of the month, picnics, barbecues, reunions, "in honor of" gatherings and church potlucks. Basically, I'll throw a party for almost any reason.

Here are a few photos from past parties. Our Weddings 1950's Sweetheart Dance Reception (with photos taken on a silver moon, dance cards and drawings for slinkys and hula hoops), a Healing Mass and Celebration, a Country Hoedown (square dancing, bales of hay and prize winning peach preserves and jarred pickles) and a Boys Night In (where I gave my husband and four male friends facials).