When it was time for dinner---Chicken Kiev, which was absolutely sublime---Basmati Rice, Steamed Asparagus and a delicious salad.....It was served buffet style because I can only seat 9 at my round table. The other eight people ate in the Living Room, which is the way I always do New Years Eve....Garrett had eaten in the Living Room, but had come into the Dining Room to join us as we finished our delicious dinner! (The painting behind him of THE TWO NUNS, is by Broderson....)
Soon after that, Karen joined him sitting on the piano bench while Earl, among others, had coffee and dessert. Dessert? That fabulous Lemon Meringue Cake, The Dense Dark Chocolate Cake from Sweet Lady Jane, some Fruit Tarts from SLJ, as well, and some fantastic Brownies from Cheebo, a little restaurant down on Sunset Blvd, near me, that bakes their own Brownies and they are 'the best of the best'...And some lovely Petit Fours that Karen's Parents had sent me for Christmas....A nice variety of dessert goodies....!
Betty loves that Lemon Meringue Cake, as do most of my guests---Next to Chocolate it is the next best thing....(Not a great picture I'm sorry to say, but at least we can see Betty....) And, that is Gene Lesser sitting next to Betty....
Before Karen and Garrett came by to sit with us, there was Earl and Katy and Andrew, having dessert....And Below, Jacquie and Craig, next to her.....There was a bit of 'musical chairs' at the table, which was fun.....
Below....Karen looking up at the Streamers on the Chandelier, left from some of our Ladies Who Lunch.....You can just see one of the streamers in the picture--but there are more, too......
I thought they looked so very festive, so I just left them there. Karen liked them a lot, too......Below, a couple of pictures that Dianne took of the people at the party---these were taken before dinner.....
Craig and Seemah.....Both looking wonderful. Seemah is pretty amazing....She is 85 years old and looks fabulous! Below, a picture of me with Karen, who also looks fabulous. On the other hand, I don't look fabulous---I look so fat....! I almost didn't want to show this picture, but, what the hell....lol!
Shocking! Karen looks so truly beautiful....! Below, a wonderful picture of Katy.....
And then there was a serious looking picture of Andy and Mark.....
And then Dianne got a darling picture of Annie & Maddy....They are so cute! 
Then.....we got ready to play, 'The Game'......The White Elephant game is loads of fun. Each person brings a wrapped present and we pile them all up together...Then we have some dice and if you throw a seven or an eleven, you get to open a package and you get to go again. It's always fun to see the 'loot'....Sometimes it is someones treasure......
And sometimes it is someones trash---that actually might have been in the game, a few years before....lol......And you might just be taking it home because no one else wants it.........
You see the real fun part of this game begins after everything is opened and then, if you throw a seven or an eleven you get to take anything you want from whomever....! And you get to roll again, and if you get another seven or eleven, you get to take another something from someone, etc., etc....We actually 'time' this section of the game, and lots of things move around the room many times with people taking what they want from another person. And when the 'time' is up, you are stuck with whatever you have--good, bad or indifferent.....It is great great fun and always a lot of laughs! So then, after our coffee and dessert, we all settled down to play the game......
The light washed out Andrew Lesser who was next to me....then next to Andrew was Gene Lesser, his Dad, and then Earl, and Charley Berliner next to him....then Katy and Dianne and Andy.....All the presents were on the floor behind Gene and Earl---I wish I had taken a picture of them, but I didn't, I'm sorry to say.......
And on the other side of the room, we have Betty and Annie, Maddy and Karen and Garrett. And now, we were almost ready to start to play 'The Game'........Part 3 of New Years Eve will be coming along here shortly......More To Come.........
- had this to say:
Oh, this looks like a good time and the White Elephant game is something I would love to play one of these days. The hula hunk is very sexy, btw. I wouldn't mind taking HIM home with me!! lol
Sounds like you all brought in the New Year with good eats and treats and I love all your photos! Oh, and those brownies and Lemon Merengue Cake sound heavenly!
You are the most generous and fun-spirited hostess...and what do you mean you look fat?? Don't forget, my friend, Marilyn Monroe was curvy, too. :)
Happy New Year!!! xo- Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 3:07:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
I don't know. I like the photo of you.
The party looks fun, though you must've kept the bubbly off camera.
Cheers.- Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 3:39:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I almost feel like I was there!! Fabulous Naomi!!! I hope we find out who was stuck with what gift! lol
- Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 4:53:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Looks like everyone had a great time. We also did one of those gift exchange games. I almost wound up with a really hideous Santa Claus yard art statue but stole a bag of candy and toys from someone at the last moment. M came home with a kitty teapot.
- Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 5:08:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Hi Naomi! I looks like you had a very lovely New Year's party. Beautiful photos with beautiful people! Take care always!
- Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 5:12:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I like that twist on the game. Does everyone get to throw the dice. And if you get a 7 or 11 you get to throw again? Are the people who get their gift taken away left without one?
You all look great! You may be heavier than you were but you still look well and beautiful.- Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 6:56:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
We play a similar version of that game at our neighborhood Christmas pot-luck, but we don't use dice. I like your version! Everyone looks great; Seemah is indeed amazing for her age and you don't look fat, just pleasingly plump!
- Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 10:26:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Gotta tell ya..i love your blog...i feel like i am sitting their enjoying the warm friendships and cocktails and mini hot dogs..what are they call horsdeuvers..something like that....must have been some party..zman sends
- Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 2:00:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Lovely to see a photo of you among all your friends! You all look wonderful.
That game sounds like a lot of fun, I think I remember you playing it before, unless I'm going mad!
The deserts sond wonderful too!
I love the way Sweetie's carpet tower thingy appears in lots of photos too! :D- Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 3:34:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
YoooHoooo...lots of fun there and I'll have a go at this game the next time I have my Christmas gathering :) I bet the kids will enjoy just as much.
Seemah is 85??? She is gorgeous as with the rest of the guests.....what a joy to see :D- Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 6:52:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
Dear Naomi, You look damn good! Weight you can always lose.
I love The Two Nuns--beautiful painting.
That looks like a nice way to spend New Year's Eve.
Kevin- Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 10:21:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Think I gained a pound just from reading about the meal. Don't forget, next time, forbidden rice.
That game sounds like a lot of fun and even if you get stuck with a dud, you can bring it to the next one. Win/win.
Always like it when the camera catches you. You all look Marvelous.- Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 3:14:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
You look lovely! Everyone looks like they had a great time. :)
I so love reading about the food...I just started a new diet so this was like food porn.- Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 5:36:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
What fun! And you ALL look wonderful, all so covered in the love of lasting friendship.
- Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 5:41:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Don't the Parks boys look like their father?
Your photo is fine - we're not spring chickens any more but we're still girls at heart and you are lucky you don't need glasses all the time.
The food sounds utterly delicious - all of it and what with the splendid art on the wall and GAMES, you are certainly the hostess with the mostest:)- Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 3:01:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Like many people who have already commented, I think you look great in that photo. You have an inner beauty that will always show through, no matter what happens :)
Your parties always look like so much fun - the photos show everyone having a great time and there is no better way than to see in a new year than surrounded by such joviality.
I noticed the two teddy bear pictures in the photos - they are wonderful!- Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 5:02:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Your celebration with long time good friends looks wonderful. You are all so fortunate to have each other. And we are fortunate you share the evening with us.
- Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 8:40:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
I love White Elephant parties. I brought home some "special" things---and given special gifts as well. It looks like a wonderful time. I love the way the lemon and chocolate cakes sound.
I like getting a glimpse of your art collection. Wonderful stuff!- Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 5:26:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I was just thinking how wonderful your skin looked in your picture and then your fat note. I think we all think we are fat! I thought you looked fantastic. What a nice evening...I love the game White Elephant though I haven't played in several years.
- Friday, January 14, 2011 at 7:01:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
It sounds like you had a FABULOUS New Year's- from the desserts to the white elephant game to all of those smiling faces: perfect! And for the record: You don;t look fat! :)
- Friday, January 14, 2011 at 8:58:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
Hi Naomi,
Love seeing your parties! I almost feel like I was there with you and your dear friends.
We can see that you are a generous and lovely hostess.
I also love your photo! You look great and very happy!- Friday, January 14, 2011 at 10:31:00 AM PST
- had this to say:
If it was not you Naomi that says Seemah is 85, I would not at all have believed it..
I'm so happy you all had such a great gathering.
And the dessert, I just served on my humble blog - a bit late...- Friday, January 14, 2011 at 4:21:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
I have a hard time believing Seemah is 85. I thought she was in her sixties.. So if she reads this is a generous comment. I had no idea she was 85.. Its amazing.
It looks like you all had a wonderful time anyway. we sat around I let the girls have confetti and soda and chips that evening after dinner..- Friday, January 14, 2011 at 6:07:00 PM PST
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had this to say:
That party was a humdinger! Such marvelous desserts and great smiles all around. You looked terrific, all spruced up and lovely.
I am sorry to read about your friend Morris. What a great artist he was, and I know he was a good friend. I am sad that he died under such awful circumstances. He left behind artwork that will be appreciated for many, many years to come.- Friday, January 14, 2011 at 8:56:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
What a fun party you had there – the people, the food, the game – everything! Thanks for inviting us to watch - I really enjoyed it. I have never heard of The Game and can see how much laugh it provides.
I am very sorry about the passing of your friend. It is very sad. He was a great artist.- Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 6:47:00 AM PST
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had this to say:
Of course you don't look fat! You look so happy and a big smile makes everyone look beautiful!
- Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 3:02:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Nomi, you so don't look fat to me. Besides have you not toiced that gorgeous smile and beuatiful skin you have, not to mention that dark hair? I hate photos of myself too but others do not see what we see. More is the point you look decidedly happy, festive and very healthy in that picture. What a great New Years tradition. Everyone is having wonderful fun and the food, it sounded divine!!! I am loving Betty's hair too!
- Monday, January 17, 2011 at 6:57:00 PM PST
- had this to say:
Oh, such fun!! Seemah certainly does look wonderful for 85! She looks better than me and I'm way younger! LOL
You are NOT fat Naomi! I love seeing photos of you as well as the others! I have far more wrinkles than you and I'm way younger! So there you go!!!
I'd love to play that game. I have played it, but I like your version best. We never did the dice thing and the timing bit after all the gifts were open.
Oh, I'm off to read the next part. I'm behind, but it's fun to be able to read all at the same time!!! :)- Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 8:46:00 PM PST
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