A Red Hat Tops the Annual Meatloaf Dinner

I’ve written about this party before. For at least ten years (and probably more), Helen (adorable wife) and I have gathered with a group of dear friends from our former neighborhood in our home for a traditional meal of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. I make the meatloaf and, without bragging, I do a pretty good job. One of our guests brings the mashed potatoes, and they’re equally as good.

This event is always a highlight of the season for Helen and me.  Our time with our friends is special and goes back over forty years when we all lived a few doors from each other and watched our children grow up together. The ladies take a trip to Hilton Head every year and no one would dare miss it. The guys have fished, hiked, camped, and drank together for many moons. Now we share pictures of our grandchildren and share some memories along with a few laughs from “the good old days.” The only difference is that we don’t stay up as late as we used to. Nevertheless, those memories meld together and stir in the mind like a well-seasoned, slowly cooked gumbo.

Helen worked hard and had the house decorated and the table set in plenty of time to take a few deep breaths before everyone arrived.  She even hung a wreath she made nearly fifty years ago when we were living in Germany.  She sent the wreath to a favorite aunt back home in Tennessee and her aunt hung it on her front door every year after that. Sadly, Aunt Anne passed away this year and Helen’s cousins returned the wreath to its creator. She hung it over a kitchen window.

When our guests arrived, we took the party to the annex for cocktails.  (We’ll have more about the annex in future posts.) Things started pretty lively with Helen leading the conversation. The night sky was clear but the temperatures were cold.  The heat in the annex was a bit lacking but everyone was having a grand time and hung in there until it was time to pull the meatloaf out of the oven.  Before we left for the house, I persuaded the ladies to pose for a group picture which turned out well.

Once the serving line opened up, things moved smoothly on to the dinner table.  Helen’s snow village served as low-level lighting for the dining area.  I just wanted to show off the addition of the campers to her village because camping has been a big part of our year and the snow village needed a trailer park.

Dinner went well and the delightful conversation lingered long into the evening. I even had a few takers for seconds on meatloaf and one request for the recipe.  The recipe is one that I found many years ago in an old magazine and I have not changed one ingredient in all of the years I have made it. I only went back through the serving line once so that I had room for dessert.

After dinner, it was time for the Red Hat Award which goes to the male who has had a significant accomplishment or persevered through a tough event over the past year.  Bob, last year’s recipient was on hand to present this year’s award which went to yours truly.  The award was for a successful hip replacement although my struggle was not nearly so difficult as that of the past two recipients.  I also suppose that the award was for achieving three years as the author of Easin’ Along.  Bob placed a notepad and pencil inside the hatband. I am honored and saying so is understating my true feelings.

In addition to the Red Hat Award, Bob handed out candy canes to everyone who needed a cane in the recent past.  Almost everyone in attendance received one—Helen and I included.  Helen posed with Ralph for a great picture as both have had joint replacements. Great idea, Bob!

Time spent with friends and family is time spent well. We love this gathering and hope to continue it well into the future.  Making meatloaf is easy. Making friends is a treasure. Helen and I wish all our friends both here and online a Blessed 2019. We hope to see you somewhere on the road less traveled as we’re…Easin’ Along.