More Birthday Fun!!

Here are a few more pics from my birthday luncheon that my mom sent me. :)

Here I am with my beautiful mother.  I love her so!!  She is such an incredible blessing in my life!

Here is a picture of the cake I was sharing about earlier -- Esther Bollick's Orange Marmalade Cake to be exact.  I am laughing in this picture because after I had explained the literary significance of the cake, my friend S shared that what I had said sounded like something I would have said when I was eight years old! :)  It was such a sweet time to be surrounded by precious ones who know me so well and still are my friends!!  Love you all so much! 

Next time I have a gathering, I'll be better about photographing more of my guests!!

More Birthday Fun!!

Here are a few more pics from my birthday luncheon that my mom sent me. :)

Here I am with my beautiful mother.  I love her so!!  She is such an incredible blessing in my life!

Here is a picture of the cake I was sharing about earlier -- Esther Bollick's Orange Marmalade Cake to be exact.  I am laughing in this picture because after I had explained the literary significance of the cake, my friend S shared that what I had said sounded like something I would have said when I was eight years old! :)  It was such a sweet time to be surrounded by precious ones who know me so well and still are my friends!!  Love you all so much! 

Next time I have a gathering, I'll be better about photographing more of my guests!!

Happy Thanksgiving Back!!

I just love that quote from one of my favorite movies, You've Got Mail.  :)

Hope you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving.  What a special time of year to take a moment and think about all the blessings God has bestowed.  My cup runneth over!

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."

Psalm 106:1 NIV

via

Happy Thankgiving, Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving Back!!

I just love that quote from one of my favorite movies, You've Got Mail.  :)

Hope you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving.  What a special time of year to take a moment and think about all the blessings God has bestowed.  My cup runneth over!

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."

Psalm 106:1 NIV

via

Happy Thankgiving, Everyone!

Craft Time!!

Well, while it is still technically before Thanksgiving, maybe it won't be the most delayed post ever to show you my little Halloween craft.  It is very easy and I think turned out pretty well!

First, I bought some little wooden letters from Hobby Lobby and painted them black with some acrylic paint.

The other items I used were Mod Podge and a little brush... 

...and Martha Stewart craft glitter!

I got this bottle at Michael's and fortunately, was able to use a 50% off coupon!!  It is really good glitter!  I had never used it before, but had heard good things and the reviews were correct!

I poured a little glitter onto a styrofoam plate.

Then I brushed a little Mod Podge onto one side of each letter

and dipped it into the glitter.

Then, I waited for the letters to dry a minute.

Here they are!

Now, for a small intermission from the project...

I found these fabulous jeweled acorns at Marshalls and just had to pick them up.  I love finding festive seasonal decorative items in their home section.  Fantastic at a good price -- what a find!!

I just love things with a little sparkle!

Here are my other apothecary jars with some cute pumpkin decorative items also found at Marshalls.

I made these apothecary jars using instructions from another blog.  I'll have to find it and link to it.  They were my first project with Gorilla Glue! :)

Here is the whole mantle with the other apothecary jar with acorns on the other end.

And here are the jars with their fun letters!! :)

Thanks, sweet friend, M, for the suggestion to hot glue them on the outside of the jar.  They attached so easily and I'll be able to pop them right off to replace them with my next seasonal letters!

Can you guess what the next letters will be?

Craft Time!!

Well, while it is still technically before Thanksgiving, maybe it won't be the most delayed post ever to show you my little Halloween craft.  It is very easy and I think turned out pretty well!

First, I bought some little wooden letters from Hobby Lobby and painted them black with some acrylic paint.

The other items I used were Mod Podge and a little brush... 

...and Martha Stewart craft glitter!

I got this bottle at Michael's and fortunately, was able to use a 50% off coupon!!  It is really good glitter!  I had never used it before, but had heard good things and the reviews were correct!

I poured a little glitter onto a styrofoam plate.

Then I brushed a little Mod Podge onto one side of each letter

and dipped it into the glitter.

Then, I waited for the letters to dry a minute.

Here they are!

Now, for a small intermission from the project...

I found these fabulous jeweled acorns at Marshalls and just had to pick them up.  I love finding festive seasonal decorative items in their home section.  Fantastic at a good price -- what a find!!

I just love things with a little sparkle!

Here are my other apothecary jars with some cute pumpkin decorative items also found at Marshalls.

I made these apothecary jars using instructions from another blog.  I'll have to find it and link to it.  They were my first project with Gorilla Glue! :)

Here is the whole mantle with the other apothecary jar with acorns on the other end.

And here are the jars with their fun letters!! :)

Thanks, sweet friend, M, for the suggestion to hot glue them on the outside of the jar.  They attached so easily and I'll be able to pop them right off to replace them with my next seasonal letters!

Can you guess what the next letters will be?

Happy Birthday!

Dear Friends,

I am so sorry for the blog break!!  Life has been a little bit busy, but I do want to fill you in on all that has gone on.  In fact, I have quite a lot to share, so hopefully multiple posts will be headed your way!!

First of all, I want to tell you about the precious birthday party my mother and grandmother gave me.  It was my 30th and it was such a blessing to have sweet friends and family around to celebrate.  Before I get to the bash, I wanted to show you the cupcakes I gave away as favors:

Aren't they adorable!! 

They actually coordinated with my invitations that I found at a darling stationary shop with good help from my sweet friend, C. :)

I got them at this great cupcake shop!!

I chose chocolate and strawberry cake and the cupcake artists did all the designs!!

Then, I picked up some small boxes at Michael's.

Popped the cupcake in...

Added some ribbon...

And this precious friend quote...

And they were ready to give away!

This was the dining table mom set for the party with my great-great-grandmother's china.

My grandmother M did all the flower arrangements.

Aren't they gorgeous!  I need to see if I can take lessons!!

My sweet friend, L, and me. 

L and I have been friends since elementary school!

Dear college friends, L & E

For the menu:

Appetizers

Hot Apple Cider

Cheddar Chutney Spread with crackers

Main course

Green Bean Bundles

Tomato Soup Salad

Curried Chicken Salad

Bisquick Muffins

Dessert

Esther Bollick's Orange Marmalade Cake!

Have you read Jan Karon's Mitford series?  It is the most delightful series of books about an Episcopalian priest who lives in the darling town of Mitford in North Carolina.  Anyway, the cake is one that one of the characters makes and fortunately they published a Mitford cookbook, so we can all have the recipe!!  Oh my word, it is delish!  Thanks Mom for making this special cake for me!

Mom sent some more pictures from the party and hopefully, I can add those soon. 

Sometimes I get a little too involved with chatting to remember to take pictures! :) 

Thank you so much to all who were able to attend my party. 

You made my day so special and I am so blessed to have such sweet friends and family in my life!

Huge thanks, too, to my mom and m for putting together such a fun event!  I love you both so much!!