The St. Patrick's Day Birthday Party!

We're big on traditions in our family.

Every year we celebrate Court's birthday over the St. Patrick's Day weekend 

because she was thisclose to being a St. Patrick's day baby!

Carrot cake has been her favorite since she was very little, so that's the birthday cake of choice each year (and this one was quite good, if I do say so myself!). The cake topper I use (almost) every year brings back sweet memories of her very first birthday!

My Nana's china is the star of every St. Patrick's day meal. I come from a long, proud, Irish heritage on my mom's side and our New England boiled dinner just couldn't be served on anything else!

Sunday was beautiful and sunny despite being quite chilly. But the kitchen, with the pots boiling and the oven going was hot, hot, hot, so I threw open the dining room window while I was cooking despite the cold temps.

The birthday crown rested atop the lamp shade until the birthday girl arrived.

It's the crown of honor for whoever's birthday we're celebrating. 

The birthday girl arrived and we all had a wonderful day together! 

Happy birthday, sweetie! May all your wishes come true!!!

Love, Mumsy

When Children Grow Up...

Some of you might remember when I posted about our Swingset Deck project here,

complete with [hideous] before & [much better] after photos.

Our two girls, now in their 20's, outgrew their swing set many years ago...

But because of memories like these, and me being the overly sentimental fool that I am,
I couldn't bear to part with their old wood swing set...

... so it became the inspiration and framework for a backyard sitting area where
climbing hydrangea and clematis will be crossing the monkey bars rather than two little girls.

The story isn't too different for the Gnome Home  
(so called because of its current lone inhabitant).

Once upon a time, long before Mr. Gnome
called this place home...

... two wonderful, silly little girls inhabited this magical place,
built by their daddy just for them.

 They spent countless hours laughing and giggling
in this magical little place...

... so magical that they were even able to entice our old Mr. O'Malley
to climb the ladder stairs and join in on the fun!

But children have a way of growing up (much too fast) and
leaving swing sets, tree houses, and all their sweet memories behind...

And no matter how much we'd like childhood to hang on
for just a wee bit longer...

...it's not part of nature's plan.

And so these days, it is little bunnies who frolic by the base of the tree house...

...and a family of birds who wind their way from the birdbath to the ladder steps
to pay Mr. Gnome a visit.

But sometimes when it's very quiet, while I'm out watering flowers or filling bird baths,
just sometimes an enchanted breeze will gently blow through the treehouse...

... and stir up memories so real that I swear I can still hear
two little girls laughing and giggling from inside.

Wishing you all the loveliest memories in your own enchanted gardens.

Donna

This week I'm joining

Tracie's Cottage Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage

and  Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home.

The Blizzard and the Flu arrived at the same time...

Court and I have been struck by the nasty flu bug (and a cold for me, as well)... but I had to grab the camera and take a few shots of the beautiful blizzard while it was still "picture postcard white."


It seems that Mr. J loves to bury his little muzzle in the snowbanks whenever he goes out. Is he too cute or what?


Baby, who is strictly an indoor kitty, was allowed a closely supervised visit to the deck so she could experience snow for the first time. We thought she would immediately head for the house at the first feel of this cold, wet stuff....


But she did not want to come in. She absolutely loved every minute of being out in it, digging and jumping and just taking in the beauty of it all!

The bird feeder when I got up the morning of the blizzard...

I don't think even the heartiest of birds are going to be able to dig down through that to reach the seed. After taking this photo I brushed it off and the feathered friends arrived in minutes.

The deck chairs don't look very inviting right now. At least not to this non-snow lover.

We won't be eating on the deck for quite some time I'm afraid.

But oh, how beautiful it is.

However, if this is the last snow of the season, I can't say I'll be sorry.

Perfect weather for hunkering down and taking a long winter's nap, especially when you're feeling under the weather.

Now to go take some Flu & Cold medicine...

Hope you are all warm and feeling good wherever you are...

Donna

Let them eat cake!

Court came home from college this weekend to celebrate her birthday and St. Patrick's Day...

(click any photos to enlarge)

Because she was born on March 18th, we've always celebrated the two together....


I bought this crown last year and I think it is going to be worn by everyone for their official birthday portraits from this point on... My dad and hubby got fair warning that when their birthdays roll around they, too, will be donning the "Celebrate" crown!


Courtney requests carrot cake each year for her birthday, and since I am not known for my baking (or cooking) skills, my cakes are just 'doctored up' box mixes...

So far, so good... I remember when Courtney was about nine years old, she invited several school friends to her birthday party. Everything went great until the cake was served and one of the girls asked what kind it was... I wish I had a picture of all those little faces when Court proudly annunced it was carrot cake! No one would even try it!

This year's cake turned out sooooo good! I added raisins and walnuts to the mix (Court nixed the coconut and crushed pineapple I had planned to add)... This cake is probably the reason I had my first gain (1.2 lbs.) on the scale this week since starting my diet. (If I'd only stopped with one piece instead of helping myself to leftover cake all weekend long!!)

Court with her cake (right after blowing out the candles). Notice her bandaged hand/fingers? Over spring break she flew to New Orleans to visit a friend at Tulane University. During a bike ride to get snow cones, she ended up skidding on gravel and going over the handlebars. Thank God her only injuries were bruises, skinned knees & palms, and a couple of broken fingers. (Not that the broken fingers are a good thing, but when I think how much worse it could have been I'm grateful... very grateful)...

The official birthday portrait of the princess with her prince... (Court is also sporting dark locks as of last month. She doesn't change her hair color as much as she did a few years ago. Back then, I never knew what color she'd surprise us with!)

My two silly girls, once again hamming it up for the camera in their hats (Christmas deja vu). Amanda is actually wearing a peacock feathered headband which is very hard to see in this photo. So other than it being too short, it was a great weekend!

And I'd also like to thank everyone who left such heartfelt comments about our little Gizzy Girl... You are all so kind - and such wonderful animal lovers!!!

Wishing you all a beautiful week!

Donna

My baby.....

...is twenty years old today!

(click any photos to enlarge)

"May blessings fall upon you wherever life's journey takes you."


Where did the years go, between this photo....


...and this one? It just doesn't seem possible that all those years have already flown by....


Wasn't your first birthday just yesterday???


And wasn't it just yesterday that you were running to me for comfort when you were afraid?

You only missed being a St. Patty's baby by 5+ hours! But you'll always be our "Wee Falorey Man" (the song you sang regularly, much to the delight of all your Irish relatives!!)

You always loved to make people laugh. Nana would call you her "little comedian"...

... to which you'd reply, "I am not a comidgion." But you soooooo are a comidgion!!!

You're also a true Pisces, my little water baby...

You loved our trips to the Cape....

... and made some acquaintances that you'll never forget!!

Here you are in March of 1994 with the love of your life, your handsome Spotty (a wee lad of 7 months when this photo was taken)... He was your boy then...

... and he's your boy now... Just look at you two, all grown up....

I am so looking forward to this weekend when you'll be home from college to celebrate your birthday!!! Save room for all of your favorites - a corned beef and cabbage dinner with carrot 'birthday' cake for dessert!! Till then...

Happy Birthday, honey!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Mumsy