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!

Mollukah 2011!

Merry Mollukah 2011!  It has been quite a lovely celebration so far this month.  We had the annual Mollukah pitch-in last weekend and it was loads of fun.  We almost got blown away by the storm that caused power outages and lots of damage.  It blew through Corydon about 30 minutes before the party.  Some of the guests were en route and had to wait it out in gas stations or at home.  But, it was a lovely crowd and a lovely party despite the rain and wind that tried to thwart our merry-making.

 I thought the spread was particularly nice this year with fruit salad, meat thingies (or Hanky Pankies), guacamole (sans cilantro, thanks Rhonda!), homemade salsa, fried cheese sticks, deviled eggs, peach cobbler, homemade ice cream... oh my, I wish I could go back and eat it all again!

My friend Melissa brought her sweet little gal, Cece and I just could not get enough of her bright blue eyes!

My big birthday gift this year was a fancy-butt camera.  I've been drooling over my sister-in-law's for quite some time.  I finally decided with the blog, our websites for the farm (in the works) and business, and just general living, I just *needed* one.  Ha ha.  So, here is Renata using her fancy-butt camera to take a picture of me taking a picture of her using my fancy-butt camera.  That's confusing, but I think you get the point.  So, look forward to some awesome (fingers crossed) pictures around here!  Once I get the hang of it!

Happy Birthday, Maggie!

My little monkey turned 2 yesterday! We had a fun party for her on Saturday at our house.  The weather was absolutely beautiful and unseasonably warm which meant we could move the party outside after the cake and gifts.  Maggie requested monkeys on her cake and of course Nana was up for the challenge.  She used the fabric from the girls' dresses to create a cute and, more importantly, delicious cake.  

Monkey cake!

I printed monkey masks on card stock and glued them to popsicle sticks as part of the goody bags.  I baked banana bread, served banana chips, and a tropical selection of fruit and dip.  

Is it a Maggie or a monkey?

After Lila got her pup for her birthday last month, Cam and I both felt like Maggie was feeling a little left out of the "big girl" feeling of having a living thing all her own.  So, we decided to get her some ducklings.  She got to pick them out at the feed store and has proudly claimed them "my duck-lings!" since then.


She also got quite a few outdoor toys and games which were really fun to try out in the beautiful weather.  We replaced the "baby" swing with a cool "Tire" swing that's really molded plastic.  But, I liked that both girls could ride together.  It was a big hit.

Don't know if you can tell or not, but the girls have matching dresses.  I scoured local stores for a cute monkey outfit for Mags and didn't find any I liked.  So, I made some.  I bought a plain t-shirt at Old Navy and cut it off for the bodice.  I had a pattern for the skirt part and followed that.  The length on both dresses was a little too short.  I put Mags in leggings and added a red tier to Lila's under the monkey fabric.  They looked cute and were both quite pleased with their matchy dresses. 

It doesn't seem like two years ago that we called our doula, midwife, grandparents and sister to say that Mags was on her way.  I look back on that day with very fond memories.  The two years since then has been full of challenges (who knew two kids could feel like twelve?), and joys ("I luv oo, Lila!").  But, we love our Maggie Moo and wouldn't trade her for the world. Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

*On a side note... all photos were taken by my awesome sister (in-law), Renata.