Once upon a time in
a Kansas town called Wichita, an Association made up of colleagues and friends,
shared a special afternoon of treats, conversation and discovery. The
event was held at the home of Jana Waltman, President. CHAPTER HOLIDAY EVENT 2005
Holiday Tea Shared by WALA Members
on December 14, 2005
Once upon a time in
a Kansas town called Wichita, an Association made up of colleagues and friends,
shared a special afternoon of treats, conversation and discovery. The
event was held at the home of Jana Waltman, President.
The tables were set
with the finest linens, china and crystal. Jana told the story of each of
the items adorning the tables. Many are antiques and family heirlooms.
As members listened to the stories, they shared their memories and stories of
similar articles. Ah, nostalgia. Memories of more gracious times.
The menu included a
mouthwatering variety of treats. Mulled spice tea and cheese straws were
served as we were graciously greeted at the door. We progressed to the
"tea room" where there was brandied apricot and black tea to drink. Tea
trays were overflowing with mini cranberry-orange scones with smoked turkey and
orange marmalade; cucumber finger sandwiches with herbed cream cheese; chicken
salad in mini-puff pastries; bruschetta; mini cheese balls with pretzel sticks;
mini quiche; and mini tartlets. Chocolate dipped strawberries; truffles;
mini blackbottom cupcakes and mini holiday petit fours rounded out the tea time
treats. .
As part of the
invitation to this unusual tea, each member was asked to bring some article that
would tell something about their personal lives, such as a hobby, outside of the
legal environment. DeAnna Williams brought some of the pictures she is so
fond of taking. Her camera is never far away and we hope to showcase some
of her photos in future WALA productions. Her family and her travels are
among her favorite photographic subjects. Visual art gives DeAnna that
creative outlet that helps balance those in our profession.
A gift in progress
was the item June Huie brought with her. She is a sewing and quilt
enthusiast and collector of many things, including tea pots and sewing machines.
Some of her tea pots are shaped like sewing machines. Her collection of
five working sewing machines, all in production in her basement studio, her
quilter's stash of fabric and the joy of producing something tangible help June
to balance an otherwise hectic career as a "techie". June shares her
quilting passion with Jana whose house and "tea room" were filled with her work.
Among our creative
members is Janice Friedman, whose talent ranges from motorcycle rider, to
webmaster to master scrapbooker. Janice brought with her one of many scrapbooks
she has put together for the Krome Kitty motorcycle club, Wichita's only all
woman motorcycle club. Janice is the co-founder. Talk about unusual creative
outlets to help de-stress a busy professional life.
Yet another way of
expressing our creative side was shown by Janie Jacobs. Her collection of
cookbooks and magazines are the tangible sign of one of her favorite creative
outlets, gourmet cooking. Although as much or more work is put into this
endeavor as there is put into others of her favorite past times, the work of
edible art is fleeting. Only satisfied looks and happy memories remain.
At the end of the say, we all had to return to the "real world" to finish our day. Out short trip into the "other side of our lives" helps us to know each other better and to appreciate who we are as people and professionals.
