farewell to a friend ...

jamie (It's bittersweet, but it ain't chocolate) efficiently described last nights 'farewell to cindy' dinner at tom's house and although i didn't know the guest of honor quite as well as i would certainly have liked, i did get to spend some time with her and get to know her. she was with us on the boating trip and we had an amazing day due, in large part, to her presence. she's intelligent, hilarious and obviously caring and kindhearted. she also very stubborn ... it took 11 tries for her to attempt water-skiing out on the chesapeake and the only reason she gave up was because others wanted a go at it. had everyone else been through with their turn, i'm sure she wouldn't have stopped until she managed to get on top of the water and ride the waves.

you know, it's amazing to see how many people truly care about you when something like this arises in a group. you feel like the gathering is going to shatter a bit, but it stays strong and that person is still an integral part, just a little further down the road. she will be missed, that's for sure, but when you chance upon each other again in the future, it'll be all much more special. she's gone, but not 'gone.'


now, the food last night was amazing. tom really outdid himself but had to step away while changing into his formal attire, designating jamie as the resident 'kitchen bitch.' he cut the cheese (no fart remarks, please), the vegetables and then even had time to play with his meat.


we had quite a spread and pictured below is only a portion of our delicious fare. i neglected to take pictures of the appetizers as, well, we picked through them in fairly short order. many of us were feeling a bit peckish while we waited for the remaining guests to arrive. i managed to snag some food to bring here to work today for lunch and, in fact, i'm eating it right now as i type. yum. beeeeeeeeeeef.

(top) cheesy potatoes
(middle) fresh roasted chickens garnished with fresh roasted asparagus
(bottom) roasted terriyaki beef

tomato salad: cheese, onions, tomatoes (duh!) and a vidalia onion vinaigrette

(author's note: yes, jamie, the asparagus made my pee smell funny.)

aside from a bit of melancholy, the night was enjoyable and i was sad that i had to leave early to get home and get to bed, but, i'm a working girl now and i need muh beauty sleep.