Mollukah XXX

I turned 30 last weekend! It was a grand celebration with friends and family of all ages. 

 I used wrapping paper for a table runner. I was looking for something inexpensive and beautiful and came across this at Target. I was then able to scan the pattern in and use the flowers on the cards for the table.

 My dad brought beautiful flowers to put in vases.

These "fairy lights" were hung from the tree boughs.

Ezra and I chowed down on the cake and ice cream pops. I made ice cream balls, dipped them in homemade magic shell (2 parts chocolate, 1 part coconut oil melt and mix) and Maggie helped me sprinkle them with red sprinkles. They were delish and a very easy way for everyone to literally grab their ice cream instead of waiting to have it dipped out.

Jeremiah and his Momma, Kim

 After the kiddies enjoyed being kids, the music got started. My friend Susan was there and she did some contra dance calling. She called at our wedding, as well. It really was a lot of fun. The littles just squealed with glee and didn't want it to end! The musicians followed that by a couple waltzes and we all had a lovely time. At that point, the evil bedtime monster struck every last one of those littles and we all knew it was time to wrap up. However, the musicians played on late into the night with the candle lights flickering. What a fabulous way to celebrate my 30th year!

Maggie's birthday

My girl turned three.  It seems a little unreal. My sweet girl has gotten so independent in so many ways, but is still so much more of a baby than Lila was at this age.  Of course, when Lila was three, we had a real baby around and probably less tolerant of those behaviors.  But, I must admit, some of her babyisms are just so stinking cute.  I could listen to her talk all day long.  She is still s-less at the beginning of words.  So, her birthday party was "Trawberry Hortake" themed.  She enjoyed being the birthday girl as much as her mommy does and was glad to draw it out over a week's time.  We celebrated with the grandparents on the night of her actual birthday with a homemade calzone dinner.  Her actual party we held on St. Patrick's Day.  It was gorgeous weather and we left the house wide open.  Our yard is so much better for entertaining than inside the house.  So, I was thrilled to see the sun shining and temps in the 70's. 

 I purchased this template for the strawberry favor boxes, although it appears there are quite a few free templates out there.  I enlarged the template quite a bit so that it could hold more goodies!

 The puppies made an appearance and were well-loved and carried around the whole yard.  My nephew especially liked them and after they were put away, kept asking where they went.  "Puppy?"  "Puppy?".

These are some very special boys in our life.  Left to right, "Opa", my nephew Worth, my handsome farm husband, and his Grandad. I caught a rare moment with all of them smiling, even Grandad!  What a fun day celebrating my favorite Maggie in the whole wide world.

Music-making and merriment

 

While the nation remembered the 9/11 attacks, our family was lucky enough to have a happy diversion.  September is a month full of birthdays of friends and family.  Cam's birthday was that week, as well as my dad, Cam's grandad, his uncle, our good friend Terry and his daughter Laura.  We gathered today to celebrate all the special people who celebrate the day of their birth this month at Nana's house for some soup, music-making, and merriment.  It was a fun time to get together, relax, and enjoy the company and music.  

 Opa got out his accordian for some polkas!  My sister-in-law showed me all about her knooking- knitting with a crochet hook- fascinating!

 

 Our buddies Sonny and Terry joined us for some great pickin' and grinnin'. 

Mollukkah... a season of celebration!

A few years ago, as I was celebrating my birthday with some friends of mine, Cam was teasing me about how my birthday, which is August 11, seems to extend far beyond that day and fill up the whole month.  One of my guests (I can never remember if it was my clever brother-in-law or a friend's boyfriend) coined the term Mollukkah.  (You know, like the 8 days of Hanukkah?) Henceforth, we have celebrated the Season of Mollukkah in my family.  I am an only child, and honestly, am really spoiled (to this day) by my parents.  So, it's true that my celebrations have always run a little long, but what's the harm in a little extra holiday revelry?

This year, I got a new laptop for my birthday, along with an aircard that will hopefully afford me speedier internet connections (see the spoiled comment above).  A few months ago, my friend Melissa asked me why I hadn't started blogging.  I gave the excuse that I had dial-up and therefor it was out of the question to do things like add photos and such.  Well, when I told her that I got a laptop and speedy internet, one of the first things she said was, "So, you're going to blog now!?" Which was followed by a resounding "Yeah, Molly, blog!" by my friend Bonnie.  So, here I am.  We'll see if our life on the farm is interesting enough to read about.  But for now, Happy Mollukkah!

PS- at the Mollukkah celebration above, my sweet sister-in-law printed stickers that said "I celebrate Mollukkah".  You can see the three-of-us in the picture wearing them proudly.  =)