The blessing of friends.

Anne-Murray, Cynthia and me in New York to celebrate Cynthia's birthday - 2003

Last week the kids and I drove to Mississippi to visit my dear friend Cynthia. As an added treat, my friend Anne-Murray (remember her from my Valentine Luncheon)?) came over from Alabama with her twins. We had such a fun visit!

Cynthia, Anne-Murray and I have been close friends for 20 years. We haven't lived in the same city for almost 15 years, but we still talk regularly and get together as often as we can.


Florida 1999 - left to right: Katie, Dorothy, Will, Drew, Graham, Frances and Mary Lant, with Vivian standing in the back and Lauren and Eloise in their car seats in front

When our kids were little, we used to rent a house at the beach in the summer. Every year we would line them up on the sofa for a picture. We recreated this scene last week. It's astonishing how much they've all grown!


Katie, Drew, Frances, Will, Dots, Lauren and Eloise (Graham and Mary Lant were working and couldn't make the trip and Vivian, shockingly, wouldn't cooperate and be in the picture)

I apologize again for the unexpected depletion of my camera's battery power. This was a real shame because I could have taken some great pictures of Cynthia's beautiful home and all the fabulous food she served while we were there.



Suffice it to say that we experienced Southern Hospitality at its finest. But best of all, I was able to spend time with two of my favorite people in the whole world.

Note: Yes, one of Anne-Murray's twins is named after me. I was so honored! She calls me "The Other Eloise."