Before and After 30th Birthday

My friend Alisa is turning 30. The big 3-0. And no way in the world, she wants to ruin her party by being the one in charge. She just wants to have fun at her party...a girl after my own heart.

So, our sweet friend has hired me to do what I do, so that Alisa can love every minute of her amazing party.

First, let me say, Pinterest is my friend. It allows conversations with clients to go like this:

Me: So what are you thinking about for your party? Any ideas yet?

Alisa: Have you seen my pinterest board for my party?

And, voila, I have a spring board, and they have a plan. It's a beautiful thing. Of course, we still have meetings to hash out the details, but that's where we start.

I thought it might be fun to do a before and after series with this party...so now you have the before. Come back Monday to see the after! I can't wait to show all the fun details we got to put in on this party!

Linking up with Jen's Sneak Peek today!

epiphany mine

They came in early, their faces only lit by the one small candle in the cupcake. As I woke, I treasured their excitement to celebrate.

I read my homemade cards and reveled at their sincere heart of love.

The boy explained his "mistake" of letter,

while Daddy reassured him it was wonderful.

The girl's eyes could barely hold the sparkle they shone with

as she watched me open her gift.

What treasures I unwrap daily, but on this day,

this early morning of Epiphany, they somehow feel more special.

Oh, the gifts that have been bestowed on me.

The day went on, and as friends posted words of celebration, and others spoke words of truth and encouragement, I can barely contain the love and gratitude in my heart.

Thank you for celebrating me. Thank you for your love.

Thank you for the gift it is to be a part of your life.

A Twist on a Tradition

Last year, we had a super fun and very girlie Christmas Tea Party for the girls in my daughter's class. This year, we continued the tradition, but tweaked it just a bit! Since the drink of choice last year was the homemade cocoa, we decided instead of a Christmas "tea" party, we would make it into a...

Christmas Cocoa Party!

(How cute is that...if I do say so myself.)

The great thing about this party, is that it could be a Valentine's party, a winter themed birthday party, for either girl or boy, or just fun playdate for the colder months. Who doesn't love a good cup of cocoa?!

menu:

We knew that we would have some of our favorite goodies, and then some additional Christmas cookies to make it more...well, Christmas-y. We simplified beverages, and had one hot and one cold choice...our homemade hot cocoa, and fruit infused water. The girls had a blast fixing their little dainty plates and definitely came back for seconds...and thirds!

activities:

1. craft time

Last year, the girls loved the craft time, so I wanted to continue that tradition to this year's party. Because I had no idea what I was going to do up until the day of the party (truly), I figured I needed to use something I had on hand...something that was easy...and something that would be fun for them to use again. So I decided that their craft would be mini Christmas garlands!

my little sister being "in charge" :)

It was so cute. They each picked out their own little ribbons and scraps, and loved making them. The mini garlands ended up being about 1/4 of the original garland size, so perfect for their bedroom door, hanging on their bed, or just a little flair for somewhere in their room or home. And, you know me, I love any activity that can double as a favor!

2. toy exchange

My daughter has loved playing the gag gift game every year with our family. She's old enough now to get it, and loves how funny and random it can be...plus the part about opening a present is pretty fun, too. So, this year, she asked if we could play the gag gift game at this party. I thought it would be fun if the girls used one of their own toys (gently used and ready to move on!) as a gift. It was so much fun. The girls got to each take home a "new" toy, without spending a dime. They loved the surprise of opening up a gift to take home! A second little take home goodie.

picture credit: http://realmomkitchen.com/654/classic-hot-cocoa-and-a-hot-cocoa-bar/

3. storytime

After all the goodies and festivities, I like to gather all the girls together to read a Christmas story. It's a great way to share what we believe Christmas is all about with her friends. The girls always love sitting around and hearing a new (or familiar) story.

I think my favorite thing about this party, is that throughout the year, the girls will remember things about the party, and will ask things like, "Are you going to have us over for..." or, "Remember those little white cookies you made?! Can we have those again!"

To know that there are sweet little girls that get as excited about parties as I do, is a joy. I'm so glad my daughter and I can partner together on fun ideas for gathering people together to celebrate life.

my stepmom and i being silly hostesses!

Valentine's Adaption:

menu: Valentine candy, heart shaped cookies, fruit, cheese cut out with heart cookie cutters, hot cocoa, and fruit infused water

activities: Making Valentine's for people with scrapbook paper; mini garland using mainly pink, red, and white; Valentine day story

Twice as Good

I put my Mom's shirt on today. Partly because it's one of those that looks so fallish that it has to be worn at least once a year during this time of year. And, partly because there's some part of me that longs to be close to those who know me at this time of year.

I made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins today, as my children played in the backyard with a sweet friend who came over for a playdate. It was such a warm fall day, that I could have the window open to hear as they laughed and played. I baked, and they played...and there seemed to be a sort of celebration in the air.

While I was pouring batter into the pan, Pandora faithfully played my Sara Groves station, as it does most days, and this song came on. (video to follow for email readers)

Sara Groves - Twice As Good from Sara Groves Music on Vimeo.

Every time, no matter how many times I've heard this song, this line makes me tear up...with my good news, you're dancing on the table.

Ever since Emily wrote about paying attention to what makes you cry, I have been. And, this sentence puzzles me. Why would such a seemingly simple phrase touch such a place in my heart.

I think the answer comes in watching my daughter and a best friend jumping on our trampoline in delight, or taking muffins to dear friends, laughing with my sister about life, or thanking a teacher for their gift to my child. I find joy in celebration. Life in sharing the burden together. Knowing I have friends who would stand up on a table and cheer for me...or sit there and cry with me, when I make a mess in my own life. Life is not always easy to celebrate, but with the gifts of friends around us, we are able to join each other as we walk this path, in celebration. And I am so grateful.

the gifting

i talk a lot about gifts. but today, i saw gifting all over the place. in words, and in design. in books and in laughs. but mainly, simply in others around me. i saw beautiful women that were all so different, but all so wonderfully them, and it was such a gift.

i love that she gets giddy every time she signs another book.

i am blessed by her spirit of joy that is infectious to all she's with.

she is a quiet soul who is simply lovely to sit with.

and i laughed out loud several times with this cutie pie.

i squealed in joy when i met her in person.

i told her a story that we'll laugh about for years.

and she couldn't be more full of encouragement.

i've blogged for years now, but i've never been to any blog conferences, and it's shameful how often i actually go and read other people's blogs. but sometimes, i read their blogs. and when i do, i come away feeling so thankful for the time i spent reading.

nester's house was gorgeous, but that's no surprise. i had a few things here and there to add to the glory, which was fun. but more than anything, i was so thankful to be with these precious souls. these gifted women, who love others through a blog, and love them in real life. they love each in their own way...

...and it's truly beautiful.

Party at the Nest

I have a super fun event that I'm going to be helping with coming up soon. Most of you know my sweet friend, Emily from Chatting at the Sky. She has an amazing book coming out September 1, and I'm blessed to be able to design events for her. I'm sure you know her sister, the Nester, too. A few weeks ago, Nester asked if I would help her with this event for Emily.

It's going to be amazing, and we're so excited to celebrate with Emily. So save the date, and come hang out with us at Nester's house!

A Gracious Gift

My sweet friend showed up on my doorstep today

with this basket full of "Get Well" goodies.

I've been sick all week, but as any mom will tell you, that doesn't mean you get a week off to rest and recuperate. Just the opposite...life goes on, regardless of how well you feel. Laundry piles up, deadlines are still present, dinner still has to get made, and children still have all the same needs they did you when you felt happy and full of energy. That's why this little surprise was such a delight. It was unasked for, and yet so needed. Unable to be reciprocated, and yet so graciously received.

It's these kind of gifts that bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. It's the compassion that gets me. The way someone would love me that much, just because. It reminds me of the gifts the Father has waiting in store for us. He shows up, in the most unlikely of places, with a basket full of blessings. He insists that we take the gifts, even though He knows we will never be able to repay. He has the most abundantly surprises in store for us, even though we are totally unworthy of them. I believe He has just the thing that we need, waiting to be generously given to our needy souls.

Have you been surprised by a gracious gift lately? One that you knew you hadn't asked for, but knew you needed?

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." ~ James 1:17

Back to Reality and Other Things

After a long and completely serene vacation, I am back to real life. I've been coming back in stages. First came answering all my calls and texts. Then came doing dishes and bathing kiddos. Today, I tackled emails and the rest of the computer world...but that will take some doing.

The cruise was so wonderful. We met people from all over the world, relaxed in hot tubs for days on end, slept and slept, read (I had forgotten how to just sit still and read a book!), ate great food, got to see the beautiful Caribbean, and had a ton of great girl time. We laughed so much that we cried at times. It was so needed for my heart and soul.

As for catching up, it will take a while. I went through withdraw from the world on the first day, but then, was totally disconnected and it was grand. I had thought about taking my laptop on the cruise, but my husband told me not to...I'm so glad he did.

Now, for the winner of the apron...that will be going to baby Atticus! It'll be a while before he can wear it, but oh how he will love cooking with his mom and dad. They make the best food! If you haven't seen how cute he is, this is the perfect time to do so.

Lastly, sorry for the never ending delay in the surprise. There were some mix ups in timing, so hopefully it will be this coming week. It will be well worth the wait.

In Which I Say Love Way too Many Times

Today's my birthday EVE! My sister is so great. You might remember her...she's this problematic bride that I told you about. She called me yesterday all the way from big fat Baton Rouge (I'm still a little bitter toward Louisiana) and in true big sister fashion said, "Happy Birthday Eve Eve!" I love love love her...and really, really miss her.

And, sweet Emily came over yesterday and gave me this LOVELY tray.

She was so cute standing in my doorway with a big ol' tray "hiding" behind her back. You know you're close with someone when they can pick out something for your house that you would have drooled over, but never would have splurged to get it for yourself. She always picks things like that out for me for my birthday, and it's super fun. And then, when I exclaim how much it's me, and how much I love it, she just smiles and says all sweet and sassy-like, "I know." Love. Her!

Ok so then...when we first moved into this house, the first thing I wanted to do was paint all the dark brown trim in the den. I knew we couldn't do it before Christmas, but I kept dropping hints to my sweet husband that "maybe for my birthday, he could paint the mantel for me". I could deal with the molding and beams for a little bit longer, but that mantel...uggh. So, as soon as I took off my garland from Christmas, it was like the big dark thing was glaring ugly at me. So, it was such a fun early present when I came home and saw this!

He's so sweet. and the best husband EVER!

And I love him love him love him so much!

What a difference paint can make...ahhh...I can breathe again.

Ok, enough about me...let's talk about what you could win. I know it's the end of the day, but this give away will go for a couple days. I love baking, and especially with my kids. We have so much fun in the kitchen. So, I thought in honor of celebrating life with them, and it being about time for me to bake some cupcakes, I would give this away...

No, not the mixer...in your dreams! This cute Buckhead Betties kids apron and hat set.

Comment and let me know if you want it, and I'll choose a winner at random in the next couple days.

I can't wait for tomorrow...and not just because it's my birthday. I have a super super fun surprise for us all tomorrow! See you then!

Something to Celebrate: The Great(est) Pumpkin Party

I'm so excited to have my first guest post today. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect person, or event to celebrate. Kari is the reason I ever started blogging. I would have never had the gumption to figure it out, or even the knowledge of what a blog was. She helped me set my first blog up back in 2006, even though she had been blogging for years before that. She's amazing, for so many different reasons, and I'm grateful to call her my friend. I hope you enjoy the gift of her writing today, as much as I do every time she writes. Her post today, absolutely expresses ever so eloquently, what true celebration is all about.

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It all started with the pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Those muffins have been my go-to recipe since high school, a crowd pleaser that takes minimal effort and makes the kitchen smell divine. I have converted people who thought they didn't like pumpkin and people who turn up their nose at the idea of pumpkin and chocolate together. The muffins have developed a following, a cult of sorts. We make them all year round, but when we think of fall, we think of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Though Halloween is anathema in some circles, we like the fun parts of Halloween: children in costumes, fall food, and opening our home to the people around us. Though my brother claims that Charlie Brown and his friends are not suitable for children, there's something to love about the unshakeable faith of Linus as he waits in the pumpkin patch. Somehow or another, the muffins plus my love of pumpkin pie and my husband's love of Charlie Brown led to the idea of having a Great Pumpkin Party.

The first year, it was a modest affair, with muffins and cookies and pumpkin carving and Linus in all his sincerity. We set up the projector outside, and after Linus failed, once again, to see the Great Pumpkin, we watched the Halloween episode of The Office. Since then, it has grown to include soup, pumpkin ale, some intensely competitive carving, s'mores, and more people than I would have thought possible. The list of invitees stretches to include new friends, new boyfriends, new spouses, new children. We have friends who claim it is their favorite party of the year. Our neighbors offer the use of their swingset. We serve the soup in cups for easier portability. We remember to buy tea lights. We string twinkle lights in the trees. I bake cheesecake because I know it will make Melissa happy. We make long lists of food and delegate things like bread and marshmallows and beer. The kids feed my rabbit all night long.

I love the Great Pumpkin Party and look forward to it all year. We choose the date early and make it known to our friends so they can reserve it on their calendars. But the truth is that it's a lot for me. I prefer smaller events, time with one family or one couple, time to talk and laugh, time to share the ordinary parts of life. I worry that people feel neglected, because I only grab three minutes with them, or six, or ten at the most. I make a run through the kitchen and am relieved to see that there is still food. I forget to take pictures and then regret it for a solid
year, promising myself that I will do better next year. I feel rushed and fear I come across that way. The truth is, I wish I had a little bit more control, wish I could make sure everyone is having a good time.

My husband, though, is the opposite. He enjoys setting the party free and seeing what will happen. He lets our friends connect, trusting that we know good people who will reach out to one another. He calmly handles things like building the fire and moving tables. He finds a quiet corner and chats with a friend, feeling no obligation to manage anyone. He is friendly and warm, in his element. He and Melissa have taught me a lot about throwing parties, just as they have taught me a lot about being comfortable in my own skin. I would not have been able to let the party grow to the extent that it has grown today if I had not been paying attention to their lessons about making people feel comfortable by being comfortable myself.

The Great Pumpkin Party isn't something small that you can throw together in a day. In a sense, it might not fit with Melissa's theme of everyday celebrations. But if a party can grow out of a love of muffins and a holiday special, it can grow out of anything. What makes the Great Pumpkin Party so much fun is that we have it at all, that we take the time to think through the details. What I have learned from four years of having Great Pumpkin Parties is that it's not really about the muffins or Charlie Brown getting all those rocks. It's about finding something to celebrate. And then doing it with all your heart.

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Kari blogs at Through a Glass, Darkly and is also participating in NaBloPoMo. Stop by daily this month to enjoy her letters to her unborn son. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

Linking up with Imperfect Prose.

Written Words

This morning, feeling sleepy and sore, a sweet little gift was unknowingly waiting for me in my mail.

With how technological our society has become, we seldom ever get notes just because. I was thinking the other day about how intentional people had to be with their relationships before these days when with the click of the computer, we can say "happy birthday" or send someone a little encouragement.

Even though I am extremely grateful for all my technology, it is quite a gift to be able to open up an envelope with my name on it. To be able to physically touch a piece of paper that another has written words on, especially for me.

Thank you, sweet friend, for your gift to me today. I am so grateful for how God has blessed my life with an abundance of friendships that I would not have apart from Him.

Celebrating today with others at Chatting at the Sky. Won't you join us?

Grand Opening and Hearts Beaming

This past weekend I helped some friends with the dedication and grand opening of their new shop, Chartreuse. Everything about this shop simply amazing. I am so excited for their sweet family, and all that they have been given.

After I got all the goodies set up, I had the honor of hearing the husband bless his wife in front of all their friends and family. He talked about how much she had continually sacrificed and given to their family. How for 30 years, she has laid down her life to serve and love them, and how happy he was to be able to support her in this grand venture. I watched his lovely wife beaming, and almost blushing, as he admonished her. I listened as her children prayed and thanked God for her. And all I could do was thank them for letting me be a part of their special night. It truly was a beautiful time of celebration.

This store is such a cool place. If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping by. It's a cross between an art gallery and a really fun antique store, but at consignment prices. One of their big things is reusing material in artsy ways to create new things...people after my own heart!!

yummy cupcakes from Maxie B's

cucumber water...the most refreshing thing ever! perfect for these hot days!

just some fun things from the shop

Such a gift to be there this weekend. What gifts are you celebrating today? Go visit over at Em's, and enjoy all those simple gifts of the everyday.