Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Julia and Sarah




"Guess what we are having for dinner? Julia's Boeuf Bourguignon!" I barely stepped into Sarah's beautiful house when we exploded with excitement.

"And, I have invited two friends --- one is a chef."

The drive from Liberty to Des Moines was joyful as I drank in the lush greens, yellows, and blues of the Iowa landscape. The rolling hills made my heart happy.

I laughed out loud as I passed a farmhouse with a long line of air-drying clothes. Where is Norman Rockwell when you really need his paint brush?

"You are kidding ---- a Julia dinner? I can't think of anything better."

We enjoyed great food, funny story after funny story, and then retired to the "music room" for singing, playing, and listening. Great joy!

Sarah turned a Beaverdale bungalow into a welcoming, colorful, textureful (not sure that is a word) center for entertaining. The constant flow of neighbors and friends fills her house with blessing.

The fact it took Sarah all day long to prepare Julia's delight was no deterrent. Even as we oohed, ahhed, and "YUM!"ed, Sarah talked of the next thing and how much easier it would be. That is a true lover of hospitality.

Her spectacular bathroom is a huge surprise as you climb the narrow steps to the second floor. Much fun! The Diet Coke is hers --- a fitting accessory.

Time with Sarah --- and her time with Julia----made the overnight in Des Moines deliciously delightful,.

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