Well, guess who couldn't stay away from the family reunion? She kept it a secret from me for almost two months! In popped Ruhiyyih from Washington D.C., and her boyfriend Matt from the tri-city area over in eastern Washington! 
What a fantastic surprise - I'd just been telling Taraz earlier in the day that parties just don't sizzle unless Ruhiyyih is there to provide the energy. The two of them ignite an intensity that is so characteristic of our family. Then, here comes Ruhiyyih rushing out into the room, surprising all of us with hugs and screams, hoots and hollers.
We all gathered Saturday at my oldest daughter Laurel's for an early dinner and a pink elephant exchange.I brought a corn-hominy-polenta chowder with chorizo saussage; home-made tomato salsa and chips; a tossed salad with huckleberry dressing; apple-cranberry coffee cake; and pineapple-rum muffins.
The muffins had a sprinkling of shredded calendula petals on top.
We had lunch at Rue and Annie's (and Daisy) the following day, with her mom, dad, grandmother and brother.I won't dwell too long on the delights of this past weekend, as I feel it is Ruhiyyih's story to tell. We all had a blast, and we wish her visit could have been much longer. George and I have plans to visit her in D.C. over Thanksgiving ... just a month away. So, we are all looking forward to that. (more photos in our Flickr account.)
