Orchard Party to Celebrate 60

Since moving onto the orchard I have had a big outdoor party for my 40th, 50th and now my 60th birthday! 

SIXTY YEARS OLD... it's really here and I can see the lines on my face that tell the story of years gone by.

But God's faithfulness has carried me and will continue to until it's time for me to go to that better place that we are all longing for...

Doing a big thing like this does create a fair bit of anxiety for me, but obviously it is worth it or I wouldn't keep putting myself through the agonies.  

Thankfully I had some very efficient, kind helpers (Patrice, Liz, Leanne, etc.) who pulled it all off while I tried to be friendly and take pictures of the beautiful and exceptionally dressed attendees! 

The men who donned wigs for the occasion pretty much made my day. 

I LOVE hosting gatherings even though I am not very adept at making all the details happen...

For instance, in the invitation I boldly proclaimed that I would be giving prizes to the best dressed participants (didn't happen), that we would be having a dance party to 60's music (didn't happen) and that we would finish off with some worship music around the bonfire (also didn't happen)!! 

But the pizza, pop and cake happened as did the bonfire and lots of happy socializing. 

I will have to be more conservative at my 70th and not make promises that I will not remember to fulfill!   

 

If I remember, that is...

It was a cool evening, to be sure, but the forecast had been rather grim so I was grateful that we didn't get rained on and that there was even some blue sky! 

I was overwhelmed with the delicious snacks and cakes that people so generously contributed! 

In fact, I believe there were 6 different kinds of cake!

Obviously I have some incredibly kind, generous, and talented friends!

Sweet Jasmine pulled this big silver blow-up frame out of her purse which made for lots of fun photo opportunities!

I just love so many people and I love to provide opportunities for people to feel connected and loved on so it feels like a birthday is a good excuse to make that happen, even if it causes some anxious moments and a bit of chaos. 

My prayer was that God would show up and that everyone would feel loved and I'm pretty sure that happened.

So many beautiful smiles and lots of fun and laughter.

I was also very thankful to my lawyer friend John, who took the time to sign my
POA papers with my kids... without charging!

So many kind gifts and so much love. 

It's ALL grace and I am a very grateful recipient. 

Also, did I mention the flowers and cards?

Over the top wonderful!

Happy Birthday to me! 

Sweet 60th Surprises

The family surprised me by celebrating my birthday at our regular Sunday evening gathering.  

Elsie showed up with balloons and twinkle lights and there were gifts.

I think she has been my most ardent lifelong supporter.

She was there when Mom brought me home, very happy that they found a "German baby" as she had requested and she watched over her new little "built in best friend" with great love and care from that day forward.

She is always eager to give me gifts and celebrate my life in every way on every possible occasion.

I feel very undeserving of this but so grateful to have a sister who loves me so well recognizing that  ultimately "every good and perfect gift is from above..."

Last fall I had been thinking Winnie should have puppies so that we would have some zip and "sparkle" in the dark days of winter.

God, in His great kindness did not let this happen and instead He sent us Marsha who has been the most delightful "sparkle" we could have wished for! 

(The little poster she made me reads "SPARKLES over Puppies!!!" and I say AMEN! 

We had a hilarious, laughter filled evening and God's presence filled the room! 

Even a little "Winnie" mug from Elsie warmed my heart exceedingly! 

How does one hold so much joy and goodness? 

On my actual birthday which fell on a Wednesday I went out with Marsha and Elsie to a downtown lakeside restaurant.

Marsha has added so much spice and fun ("sparkle") to our outings and it just feels like we have found a third sister. 

Blossoms and blooms and so much love. 

In the evening I was surprised again when Jan had this greeting drawn on a huge poster board at our prayer meeting! 

And there was a cake to feast on, singing and a lovely hydrangea given by one of the young couples in the group.  

60 is turning out to be a whole lot of fun and I am experiencing my life chapter in real time!

(Both the goodness AND the waiting...) 

"I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord."

PSALM 27: 13,14 

60th Celebrations Begin - Hobbit Style

I LOVE getting surprised and when I came into the "man-cave" where we have our hobbit nights I was blown away by how beautifully the room had been set up for me!!

Little "older" me!! 

There were crowns involved so of course we had to take the royalty photo op!

Being royalty is carries with it a  weight that must be dispelled with jocularity so we made sure to keep things in balance!  

This little crowd has been such a healing balm through these winter months and here we are; it's Spring, the days are longer and brighter and we are still going strong! 

Keeping the rhythms of good food and dessert (home-made chicken curry and a gluten free cake made by Jasmine that was drool-worthy) is also comforting.  

(I know that probably shouldn't be said while wearing a crown, but it was the truth.)

One of the gifts was a small journal given to each of us to record the insights we receive while watching the shows.

 

We did a review of what we watched last time since it had been so rich and we went slowly through the conversations writing things down to meditate further. 

Before we ate the cake I had mentioned that it was too bad that Gandalf couldn't show up at my party with some fireworks.

At this point Jasmine turned around with my cake which had a firework blazing away on it and they laughed at my reaction!

I was so stunned, amazed and OUTRAGEOUSLY HAPPY!!

It felt like a dream come true 

How well they know me! 

The love was palpable and I can hardly believe the endless good gifts that God keeps sending my way.

These three fellow sojourner's just love me so well.  How can that even be?

So underserving, as usual, but God is pouring it on and my cup is overflowing.

I also took a couple of pictures of the inside of Celia's place since it's on the market and might not be our hobbit dwelling for much longer! 

Celebrating Joshua

Three of us hobbits have a birthday within a four week period so we were busy celebrating one of us after the other.

 

Jasmine created some delicious healthy and sweet little cupcakes, Celia created a delicious meal and we watched part of a LOTR episode that had us all in shock and awe.

Gandalf had fallen and the battle worn company arrived at the Elven refuge with heavy hearts.

The words spoken over these weary ones were beyond inspiring and sounded like they had been lifted straight out of our own ancient scriptures.

Tolkien had obviously taken his liberties with exceedingly good results.

We were too weary to debrief that night but we went away with our imaginations quickened and our hearts (and stomachs) full. 

Somehow I got invited into another one of Joshua's parties with the inner family circle! It was so fun (eating out is still a novelty since we had our 'hiatus') and we were at a trendy little vegan place that makes amazing food. 

My sandwich was so massive that half of it landed on Joshua's plate!

The dear family Matriarch Evelyn showed up in style, as usual!

She is not afraid of color and you can see her arriving from afar in her eye-popping fashion statements.

What a glorious woman, full of faith, hope and love.