This will be a bright, busy November weekend. The russet leaves of the oak still cling stubbornly to the trees, but most of the other leaves have fallen, and Clif and I are making good progress with yard work. There is more wood to stack, raking to do, and one last flower bed to cut back, but in a couple of weeks all will be snug and ready for winter at the little house in the big woods.

In between yard work, writing, and other chores, I am also helping my friend Debbie with a baby shower for her daughter Andrea, one of Shannon’s dearest friends. Andrea and Shannon have been friends since they were very young, and in so many ways, Andrea feels like a third daughter to me.

What a pleasure to help with this shower! I’ll be making egg salad finger rolls, that oh-so-delicious staple of afternoon parties. Another friend will be bringing chicken salad finger rolls. Shannon will be making several appetizers, which will include a white bean dip and hummus. Debbie has ordered cupcakes, and the shower will be held at Andrea’s cousin’s house. The theme of the shower is going to be children’s books, and I’ll write more about this after the shower.

While there is certainly a time and a place for catered events, I must say that I especially love homegrown parties where many people come together to make it all work for the one (or ones!) being honored and celebrated. Not everything old-timey is good—there is no point in wallowing in nostalgia—but homegrown events, with lots of homemade food, truly represent the best of the good old days when people knew how to get together to throw an old-fashioned party with simple food and simple pleasures.