Bouncing back...birthday parties...bonfires...

Weekends...

they are good

and busy,

fun and go crazy fast!

 

 

But bouncing back from a busy

weekend, seems to take

longer the older I get.

 

Chalkboard art by Lauren
Cake by Unique Sweets

 

This past weekend it was my

Mom's birthday

and so two siblings and their

families came for lunch

on Sunday along with

my parents!

 

My mom and I

 

Food and laughter shared

with those you love

is always a treat.

And I'm grateful for each one

of them in my life.

 

Cousin fun and
is Roger really sleeping?

 

But a birthday party wasn't the

only plans for the day,

as evening came so did more

friends along with more food.

It was time to light the bonfire...

 

 

See the long shadows of the guests in the yard...
it was soooo HOT!!

 

Beautiful evening!

 

You see the bonfire was "built" last fall but

due to a very windy night

we couldn't light it

and so, I was time.

After all campfire season is just around the corner.

 RIGHT!?

 

Sending off a lantren while we
waited till the fire died down.

 

Still waiting to roast hot dogs...

A fabulous weekend with

wonderful friends and family!

I AM BLESSED!

70 years

70 years of marriage!

A huge accomplishment in today's world.

But we are meant to grow old together,

to fall in love all over again,

day after day,

through tears and pain,

laughter and joy.

Yes, till death do us part.

It takes commitment and is not for the

weak at heart.  Its hard work, but worth it.

And so,

I had the privilege of

celebrating with my

grandparents, 70 years.

And of course,

making a cake!

My grandpa has had a favorite

kind of cake for as long as

I can remember.

Chocolate cake with chocolate icing!

And my grandma's favorite flower is

carnations

and so this cake was

made just for them.

Happy 70th Anniversary,

Grandma and Grandpa!!

Blessed...

...in so many ways!

But the blessing I write about today is one
that brings emotion to my eyes and
a smile to my heart.

A friendship that has stood the test of time. 
Actually, the TESTS of time.

She has been a HUGE blessing in my life.
There were times when I thought
I couldn't go on, she sat beside me and listened,
handed me another tissue,
encouraged me with cards and verses from the Bible,
didn't pretend to know the answer to my "WHY?"
prayed for me because I couldn't pray,
she loved me, she gave so much.

She also shares my love for Mexican food
and Julia Roberts movies.  And shopping,
well not really, we shop sometimes but usually we end up
talking in aisles and catching up on each others lives.

Over two decades have passed,
and still she remains my best friend.

This year we celebrate our 40th birthdays,
something we have talked about.
How are we going to celebrate?

We will decide but there is no hurry
because we can enjoy going for dinner and
dreaming until we have another plan.

I say another
because we had a plan...
her dear husband had
bought her a ticket to come visit me
in Costa Rica...
...but
then everything changed.
Her dear husband of 17 years
died suddenly and unexpectedly
and every day became a
painful reminder that he was gone.

So celebrating birthdays,
even 40th birthdays,
have been a little hard
and a little emotional.

but we did celebrate and I was
honored to make her not 1 but 2 cakes.

This was the "decoy" cake.
 Just so maybe we could surprise her with a party.

And so a week later we celebrated again.
And surprised her a little, but she was
putting the pieces together all along.
Her kids did an amazing job of
making sure the details were taken
care of.

And so another cake was on order.

I love you , my dear friend!
You are a picture of beauty
from the inside out.
I am extremely proud of you
and blessed beyond words
to call you friend!

Summertime is sweet!

I love to create cakes.

Here is one for a bride-to-be

at her bridal shower.

It is a marble cake with fudge filling.

(one of my favorites)

The flowers are made of fondant.

Fun and sweet!

Happy Monday to you all,

Know that you are loved and the

creator of the universe is CRAZY about you.

Watch for His blessings and be intentional in loving those around you!