Entertaining Lakeside

I couldn't get away from home fast enough!  It had been a stress-induced, time-crunched week of state testing, honors events, and graduation.  Add to that, the need to grocery shop in preparation for a Saturday evening party.

So, Jamie headed out earlier than I did to set up the SolAire at Georgia Veterans State Park on Lake Blackshear.  What a relief to drive up to our already-set-up site, situated at the rear of the secondary campground.  Seclusion, despite a late-spring sold-out campground!  Just what I needed to wrap up the last, hectic week of the school year.

Perfectly placed at Georgia Veterans State Park

Food prep for a big crowd is typically tiring, but completed in the relaxing atmosphere of the SolAire with a view of the woods, this self-imposed task became joyful. Just what I needed!  With Jamie sitting in the same room with me while I checked off task after task, I was reminded of the many days my granddaddy did the same for my grandmother while she prepped meals for our weekly family nights.  Togetherness. Cherished time.

By mid-afternoon the preparations were complete and we headed over to my brother's lake house where the young folks had the tables and chairs set out near the water, offering a lovely view for dinner.  But it rarely fails: plan an outdoor event and a rain shower is a sure bet.  Fortunately, the weather radar alerted us to the possibility in time for tablecloths to be stripped.

A quick rain shower cooled the air. Can you spot the rainbow?  Check the cupola for the pot of gold!

The rain passed soon enough, the decor replaced, the meal cooked by my chef extraordinaire -- thank you, Jamie! --, guests arrived, dinner was served, and another party was in the books.  What a pleasure to celebrate our long-time friend Jeremy and his June bride-elect.

Love that my chef also is a display artist

Friends since fourth grade: Sara, Jeremy & Ashley

Jeremy & Kari opening gifts with happy mom Pam

Sunday morning we sped back over to the lake house to join Lynn & Tim for a ride to Boat Church. We'd heard of this weekly service, a ministry of Warwick United Methodist Church, but we'd never been. A large crowd had gathered both on land and on water. We enjoyed a wonderful worship experience led by our previous Camilla UMC pastor, Ken Myers.

Tying onto the boat beside us; a crowd has gathered on shore.

Returning to the lake house, we delighted in feeding some mighty hefty catfish. Pictures don't show it, but these cats were huge and they gulped the feed in one snappy grab after another.

Time to pack up the SolAire and head home; another work week beckons.