Our Bellydance group has had an annual dinner for the last 12+ years. Even though we spend a couple of hours a week together, we dance, we never socialize during that time.
Back in the day, we went to Williamstown, MA, for Thai food every year. For the last few years, we have tried to support local businesses and ate in Bennington.
Last year during the pandemic, we didn’t see each other since March, but we met at the end of June in Kathleen’s backyard for a potluck annual dinner. We all sat with our lawn chairs socially distances apart. I always take annual dinner selfies, but last year, I didn’t even bother. I guess I didn’t want any reminders of how bad life sucked at that time.
This year we decided to continue with the potluck dinner idea. Emily offered to host this year’s annual dinner; she and her husband just purchased a beautiful new home with plenty of room for entertaining. Yay!
It’s always nice to have the chance to sit and chat and not be rushing in or out like at dance class. We get to talk about lots of different topics and enjoy some delicious food as well.
Last night’s potluck was an assortment of delicious food. Each person takes a dinner course, so we don’t end up with just salads or desserts. Marty and I have been at events where everyone brought pepperoni and cheese plates. How disappointing!
Kat made a wonderful curried carrot salad; Maria made a gorgeous fruit salad, Trish put together an impressive cheese plate, Kathleen brought yummy and flavorful deviled eggs. Callie mixed up a summery cocktail with lots of fresh mint. I made my eggplant parm stackers, and Emily doubled up and made an incredible platter of sushi plus brownies with ice cream for dessert. Everything was yummy! 😋
It was such a mix of different flavors, textures, and different nationalities. Even though they were all so different, they worked together for a perfect summer potluck dinner.
At the beginning of the night, I took photos of the table with everyone’s food but forgot to take one of Emily’s beautiful sushi and my eggplant parm. The sushi came out at the last minute before we ate to stay as cold as possible. We saved the eggplant parm as the hot entree, so I forgot to take a finished dish photo when I served it. I did take ones at home while I was assembling the stackers. I also forgot to pull the parmesan cheese that I brought out of my purse and finish it with freshly chiffonaded basil. 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Our annual dinners have gotten quieter and tamer over the years. We used to be pretty loud when there were up to 12 or more of us at the Thai restaurant. Every year someone different would reveal something no one knew; Callie was the first one to start this tradition with the news of her first baby girl. No one had anything unknown or a secret to share last night; it was a shitty ass year, maybe that’s why…nothing happened.
It was so wonderful to be able to sit close together at the table and eat together. It felt like it was a million years since we did, but in another way, it felt like no time passed.
I count myself lucky to have danced or currently dance and share a big part of myself with these women…my dance sisters. Yip! ❤️
