There’s nothing like a party to make you feel loved…

When we lived in Poland, K and I had parties fairly frequently. Nothing huge: a few friends, some drinks, a bit of food — that’s all it took. No huge planning. No date-setting far out into the future. “Why don’t you all come over Saturday night?” is how if often started.

Here, with everyone’s busy schedule, it takes a little more planning.

One thing that is certainly different: the amount of drinking. J brought with her a bottle of the loveliest plum vodka. In Polska, my father-in-law and I could polish off a bottle in an evening. Last night, even with twenty people, we didn’t finish it off, despite my prodding. Perhaps it’s safer that way.