A Birthday Party

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you had a 

pleasant weekend! 

I was busy preparing 

 a birthday party for two of my favorite girls;

my daughter, Jennie and her fiance's daughter, Samantha. 

There were 16 of us, which included 4 little ones, 

and somehow we all managed to fit!

Of course it was cool and rainy, so we 

couldn't enjoy the deck, which would have 

given us some leg-room, but it all worked out. 

We did step out in between showers to enjoy 

the scent of the flowering pear that is blooming 

for the very first time, this year! 

This tree was one of those 'Arbor Day Foundation' 

trees that you get free for joining. 

It came in the mail as a tiny twig with a few roots, 

rolled up in a plastic bag with a little wet peat moss. 

I grew it in a pot for a couple of years and then transplanted it.

I actually received 10 different trees, 

and 5 of them survived 

my benign neglect. 

The viburnum was in full bloom just beyond the deck, too. 

The scent is amazing.

It would have been so nice to celebrate outside. 

We had one of the rainiest April's on record.

But when the sun finally does comes out, it is easy to forget 

all about those dark gray clouds. 

The gnarly old, dwarf apple tree, 

propped up by a forked stick, is blooming, too. 

As is the other pear tree by the front of the house. 

Maybe they will cross-pollinate and I'll get a few pears! 

You can see that I have bird deflector's in my big window. 

They are removable decals that prevent bird strikes. 

They work! 

I took a couple of photos before everyone arrived....
It was a casual affair. 

Daughter Heather brought two kinds of home-made brownies

and some lemon bars for dessert. 

Can you say, "Yum"?

I made up two big pans of  Three Cheese Manicotti

and a green salad. 

Daughter-in-law, Erica brought along delicious meatballs 

and we all shared bread and wine. 

We absolutely stuffed ourselves!

I am on a diet now.  

*    *
^
o

Here are the birthday girls reading their cards.

Notice the pacifier and toy truck on the table. xo

The little ones had a good time. 

A little boisterous at times, but that's the hallmark 

of a good party!

*   ~
^
<m>

The twins enjoyed the party, too, with lots 

of smiles, cuddles and kisses. 

I so wanted to get a big family photo, but it was like 

trying to wrangle puppies.........

Next time for sure!

Now the house is quiet once more, but the love 

and laughter remain as precious memories. 

xoxo

Thank-you, Dear Friends for your kind visits. 

And thank-you for the reminder, in my last post,

 to take my cell-phone outside with me! 

xoxo

"You can always tell a real friend.

When you've made a fool of yourself,

he doesn't feel you've done 

a permanent job."

Lawrence J. Peter

******

That's why you must encourage and help

each other, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11