My Red Cape: A heart warming start for the holiday season was this party today.

I took a large bowl of my Pickled peach recipe (clipped from a magazine in the 1950's)

1 large can Del Monte peach halves

½ cup sugar

½ cup vinegar

1 stick whole cinnamon

½ teaspoon whole cloves

Two days Before Serving:

Drain peaches reserving 1 cup syrup. In sauce pan combine syrup, vinegar, sugar, cinnamon and cloves. Simmer uncovered 5 min.

Add peach halves, a few of which may be studded with one clove. Bring to a boil, cool, cover, and refrigerate at least two days. I remove the spices on the third day if some are left so they do not get too strong.

To serve, drain peaches and heap in serving dish. I double and triple it for large groups.

The peaches are simmered a few minutes in the vinegar and spices and sugar and then refrigerated for two days.

Little touches in my kitchen remind my of my mother, so long gone now except in the hearts of her family. Mother loved the American Home Magazine. She loved Ironstone and pewter and ruffled curtains and house designs by Royal Barry Wills. She made her kitchen curtains of this Pennsylvania Dutch design, and a scrap of it is made into a hot pad 60 years later beside my own cook stove. I am very like my mother, the apple does not fall far from the tree. Do you see something like my "Bird and Pomegranate" rug design?

This will be my first time to use the huge Canton pattern punch Bowl. A modern adaptation, it blends well with all things old and blue. It is a perfect bowl to show off my spiced peaches!

I arrived a little early and took pictures before the party started. It was hard to pick as everywhere one looked there was another spot of interest, each distinct and well done. As another treat for me, so many arrangements like this one incorporated a hooked mat.

This unusual arrangement centered by a piece of driftwood set the stage for our lunch.

Our hostess loves all things Maine and also some things Texas, making a uniquely decorated home.

Seafoam colors of Blue and teal are repeated throughout.

A fire was welcome on this cold day!

As there were about 24 of us, two small tables were set like this one in the library.

A great group of this Texas Collectible, hand decorated pottery with bluebonnets, made for Tourists mid 20th century anchor one wall of the sunlit library. And look at the blue cupboard full of homespun blankets!

Other blue items carry out the theme also.

A collection of Native American drums and beadwork fill another corner.

The kitchen too is beautifully decorated. A lovely Rug hangs by the entry to a large panty room.

Small collections are everywhere.

Seashells are part of the Maine themed wall in the dinning area.

A side table in the living room holds a group of painted tin.

When friends arrive, the focus is on greeting one another. This warm group of collectors have known each other half of some very long lifetimes. What a gift it was to see each other and hug and exchange news, some coming from over two hundred miles away for this gathering.