party | Apothecary Shed

RHINE turns 60

November 22, 2025

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We have sent an emissary beyond the event horizon. What is over there? Can light escape? Can you bring your own booze?

More importantly in this particular instance, what do you bring to a surprise party with a critical mass of Claggetts?

Why a big box of bad behavior of course! That did make things really fun lickety-split like. The Liberal was the most requested beverage of the night…until we ran out of bourbon.

Romey surprised the bartender with a kilt made by an Italian designer. She is a McGraw.

So much love.

We even corrupted the young people with first martini’s. Careful AJ, it is a slippery slope to 60!

And yes there was both music.

And philosophy of mind late into the wee hours. We’re pretty sure we chose to do that. But maybe not.

It is nice to be an honorary Claggett, even if it takes a little bar tending and a big box of bad behavior.

Winter Solstice 2024: Let the Community Convene

December 20, 2024

gem fire, party bonfire, party, solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, solstice party 2024, winter 9 Comments

It was a good one this year. Cold and crisp with a full moon. More than 100 people stuck their noses in. It seems we all need some community time. And somebody has to turn the sun.

As we age, the end time of the winter solstice party seems to be approaching the start time (4:15pm to see the lighting). We were inside by 11pm. Thanks to all who came!

Turn sun turn!

Of course there is just a smidge of prep for a fire like this. We had some help from Romey’s yard in Berkeley Spings this year.

But eventually the day of the party arrives and it is time to make the eggnog and light the burn barrels.

We always light the fire shortly after dark. This year there were LOTS of people on hand for the lighting.

The only problem with a big iteration of the solstice party is not enough time to catch up with everybody.

We had some fun with the full moon.

And the we settled in to enjoy eachothers’ company. But not before a close call! Oh my…

The Cigital alums were out in force…

Once again, the dogs did it best.

And the party at the bar? Well, that ended by 4am.

Halloween in Bethlehem

October 31, 2024

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Yeah, I know…it’s supposed to be Christmas in Bethlehem. We got it wrong. But it was really fun anyway. I mean check out the joy on Dean’s mom’s face!

We left our safe blue state for a battleground, wondering about the sanity of this country of ours.

We drove fast cars.

We drank bourbon with the skeletons.

We wore costumes that only made sense to us. Andy?!

We had a great time with friends, old and new.

We stayed up way too late dancing.

We wondered what all the fuss was about.

We lived to see another day (though some did not).

Special thanks to Dean and Mary for putting on the best Halloween party in years.

Hot Town, Solstice in the Summer: 2024

June 26, 2024

gem party, who knows bonfire, book, crimson code, dez, party, solstice, solstice party, summer solstice Leave a comment

OK. It was hot. For a week. And the solstice party was slated for the hottest day of ten in a row. The grass was scorched. The fields were hot. But the show must go on. And go in it did!

We moved the party nexus closer to the house this year (and we liked that, so it is likely to happen again). The patio that Allen designed is beautiful.

These are all “before” pictures. Sadly, nobody took any during pictures that we’ve seen. Too hot to think.

There was some river action this year. JC, Romey, and I spent an hour or two in the river and so did a bunch of others.

The bar (where all of the 20 somethings ended up until 3am) was by the apothecary shed. Namesake alert!

The lighting in 4 easy pieces (taken by Dez).

Who is Dez? Why, this guy…

And Dez (who was once a mentee) wrote a book you should read all about being falsely accused of hacking while Black. Get your copy here.

The heat definitely did impact the party. Only about 60% of the people who said they were coming actually showed up. I would hate to think that we’re all getting too old to party. Lets just blame it on the weather.

Thanks to all who came (especially Eli who flew in for the occasion)! We seem to have turned the sun. Maybe we should have done a rain dance.

Winter Solstice 2023

December 18, 2023

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It was a perfect evening for a solstice bonfire. Sundown at 4:50. The fire lit incredibly quickly. Yes please.

The Air Force flew in for setup with some paper planes.

Or was that the Marine Corps?

We polished up the disco ball expecting a crowd.

Moonshine was celebrating his third birthday.

The party barn was set, now all we need is some people!

We sat by a burn barrel as people arrived. And arrive they did, this winter iteration included about 90 people.

Early lighting.

Sparks to the sky.

Burning curlicues.

Lots of great fun and food in the barn and “a whole nother” scene down by the fire. Eventually there was music with Gina, Clark, Juliana, and Alec. Much joy enhanced by the huge fire just feet away.

Apparently parties that start early end early these days. We were inside by 11:15pm. Must be getting old.

BUT WE TURNED THE SUN! Thanks to all who came.

Yo Turns 65

June 17, 2023

gem food, party, photography, travel belgium, bookstore, caroline, garden, gem, grappa, leuven, mixology, party, photography, travel, video, violin, yo 2 Comments

Nothing quite like staying with dear friends in Leuven. Yo and Caroline are excellent hosts. This visit was made even more fun by including a 65th birthday party for Yo.

Here are some pictures from my visit.

I even managed to sneak into the circus on Friday evening. An incredible show focused on lighting matches, making pizzas, and spinning plates.

The cast of two and the poor “volunteers” who were pulled from the audience.

Leuven.

There was dancing in the kitchen.

And there were homemade cakes.

We even got to try out some mixology for the party.

Rosemary grappa lemonade…let’s call it the “yo-yo 65.”

The birthday king presides.

The actual power behind the throne is slightly capricious.

The site of the party is the back garden with lots of veggie plants. Delicious food was about as “locally sourced” as you can get. There were fresh snap peas and strawberries. So healthy and so delicious.

This gorgeous cake was my favorite. Banana cheesecake. Yum.

There was some dancing in wooden clogs yo some truly bad fiddle sawing.

We walked several miles together all using the house as a base of operations.

And we visited the English books at FNAC to compare notes.

All in all about as much fun as you can have in Leuven!

Sorry, In Advance: New Year’s Eve 2018

January 2, 2019

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New Years Eve 2018 was a bummer. A few of our best friends actually came even though we let the dogs out and turned off all of the lights. Sorry.

Figuring out when “advance” is can be tricky near the international date line

This creepy guy showed up and flashed just about everyone

Fortunately the absinthe fairy saved the day

Well sorta. There were some killings. Accidental, of course. And the killer was really sorry before he even showed up at the party.

The Seelbach (a drink that we are really sorry about)

We’re sorry if you caught any communicable diseases. Really. The hooker said she was clean.

Look who’s pregnant now (and who has whose nuts in a very small jar)

Someone is looking crazed well after midnight when the absinthe was flowing.

And someone else is looking wasted

Cheers!

Braxton Hicks is a bitch

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. WE’RE SORRY. IN ADVANCE.

The 2018 Solstice Fire

December 24, 2018

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The weather cooperated spectacularly for the 2018 solstice party. The rain cleared for a day or two. The moon was full. It was a crisp cold night with a beautiful sky.

Our ritual of gathering good friends from all walks of life every six months took place again without a hitch. Thanks to all who came to help us turn the sun.

Sunset before the party

This year, the fire lighting was cheered on by a rising full moon. The fire caught quickly and burned hard and fast.

Full moon and unlit pile

Lighting (time to run away)

Lots of people arrived for the lighting this year

Every solstice party is different in interesting ways. This year lots of people showed up for the lighting at 5:45. Then the BOILO got the party rocking. The lighting is always a sight to see.

The fire gets going

2018 solstice fire

The moon was incredible and lent a silver tinge to everything.

The barn was alight in party mode

This year the unplanned potluck food supply was great with chilli, meatballs, sloppy joes, fried chicken, and even krispy kreme donuts. The barn bar took a licking. Gonna need some serious restocking before summer!

Sorry about the terrible Christmas music in the barn. That’s just how it goes. At least there is a disco ball.

Marco. BOILO! There’s nothing quite like extremely local product.

A violin burns

Possibly the most ridiculous and surprising part of the evening was the violin sword fight instigated by Josh Henry (my trusty and talented violin and bow repair guy). Unbeknownst to everyone, Josh brought three dead rental violins to the party. So when we got them out and started sword fighting vigorously with them and then threw their remains into the fire, the 20 somethings who were already wondering just what those old people across the fire were all about, freaked out. They thought just for the smallest moment that I was destroying my actual violin.

LOL! Got you.

There was lots of music this year. It started early and went late. Thanks music makers! We love playing with you all.