Feathering My Nest Friday ,and an Invitation

Welcome to the second edition of Feather My Nest a fun take on a theme for Fridays.
Please join me in this venture. Link up- I'd love to see how YOU feather your nest!

Today my nest; will be brimming with girls enjoying a holiday from school, and celebrating my youngests' birthday which was yesterday. She turned ten. I can hardly believe a decade has passed since her debut.

     
      here she is sporting her new housecoat,watch and hat,
                                                                                     with no thought
                   whatsoever of the implications of ten;  and what they do to her mother.

 A few girls arrived bright and early to enjoy breakfast compliments of big sister;banana rollups,spread a pancake with peanut butter and wrap around banana!

after lunch the party began in earnest with fun for everyone...

               
                 

                                                                                                    
                      it was fun to watch them have fun, under sister's    supervision..... such aspiring artists.
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                           

        by the way click here for this theme already going strong! So lovely.

I've heard it said that joy and sorrow always intermingle; whenever you are experiencing one, the other is close at hand and you will inevitably experience it eventually. It really takes both to have a rich life.
Never did I think of that as much as I did today. In the middle of my daughter's birthday celebration I attended a beautiful memorial service for my neighbour/ friend. It was definitely a juxtaposition if there ever was one, and a poignant reminder to me to embrace all the moments I have with my loved ones because tomorrow holds no guarantees.

         



thankful for; 167,life, 168,the craziness,169, the beautiful memorial service,170,the chance to know Julie,171,the hymns we sang,172,she loved the Lord,173,daughter's birthday,174,friends,175,bike ride yesterday,176,snow today(in all things, right?)177,thank-you cards,178,finding daughter who rode the bus to closest city without too much trouble,179,the steam rising from my mug right here...180, my super comfy bed.

Still Life of my Week

A perfect week consists of equal parts people and solitude....

This was one of those weeks . I celebrated a birthday this week, not one that's a huge milestone just another jot in the story of life. My husband has often taken me out with friends on my birthday, bless his heart but I have explained to him just how much it means to involve the children in celebrating it. So this year they prepared supper; cedar plank salmon, rice, broccoli& salad. I WAS NOT allowed to help with it what so ever, so after sitting and watching them plunder about the kitchen, I asked if I could leave and visit my mother in law and they would call when it was ready. All their efforts were repaid as we sat down to enjoy a  very delectable meal.

Also had another delightful lunch and afternoon with my dear mother and sisters.Family is one of those special gifts I have grown to love and appreciate immensely. Each one of us so similar but different. each one of us connected in blood ties that form a strong bond. My sister who planned this event this year is likely the most creative person I know, and maybe even the most creative person .
Everything was lovely and scrumptious and truely a treat to the senses.After the meal we shared a piece of writing that inspired or touched us in some way.I left  filled , in mind and body.

The end of the week was a flurry of  appointments,cleaning,laundry,grocery shopping,driving to pick up daughter at college,making it home in time to go on date with hubby.How nice to be able to have children old enough to stay home alone.It's not all bad when they grow up.

Looking back on my week I realize just how much I am blessed with....
family,friends, health and most of all God's never ending  providence.

       My life shines with God's radiant blessings
         when my heart is the colour of joy.
                                  Thomas Kinkade