GOOD THINGS

Lots of good things happening around here these days. Someone had a birthday. Okay, it was me. I am fifty-eight. Yikes! We are looking forward to seeing old friends next weekend at our 40th high school reunion. The task of planning fell to Mike and our good friend Susan. If you have high-schoolers who are interested in the office of senior class president, you might just want to let them know it's a gift that keeps on giving. For the rest of your life!
We didn't budget for table centerpieces, as we were trying to keep the cost of the main event (dinner dance) affordable for everyone. I'd welcome any "cheap and cheerful" ideas. 
Let's take a little peek at some birthday gifts. From my son, this book that is showing me tons of great places to take my camera.

From my daughter, this buttery soft cotton scarf with text from Little Women. How cool is that? 

Check Storiarts out here. I promise your bibliophile heart will flutter!
Mike spoiled me with some adorable biking jewelry, a local folk-lore book and...

It's a kayak/canoe hybrid. We recently sold our old tandems, and although I was sad to see them go, lots of good memories there, they really were getting much too heavy for someone who is fifty-eight, to haul around.
I have more good things to share, but gotta run for now. The plumbers are coming and Nigel is going to help me pick out a couple of outfits for this weekend. I trust his sense of style. Here he is yesterday, sporting the JMB Clipper colors.

Go Clippers!

Also trying to finish this today.

Later gators!
XO.

WEEKEND: IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

Saturday was my birthday. How old am I? Starts with an "f" and rhymes with nifty heaven. That's all I'm saying about that. 
Packed a lot of fun into the day, starting with a birthday call from our boy, who was headed abroad for a well-deserved vacation, then it was off to the Cardboard Boat Races in Oxford. We vowed to build our own boat next year, because it just looks like such a good time...

Children's division.

Glad to see Easton Cigar Shop was back. This was one of favorites last year.

After the races, we drove to Easton for lunch. Grabbed a salad at Mason's, then moseyed down the street to the Academy Art Museum to see the James Turrell exhibition. Fascinating. Stopped in at the South Street Gallery and headed home to check on the fur family.
Still had time to  throw the bikes in the truck for a pedal around Blackwater...

What we didn't do was go out to dinner or have cake and ice cream. We have our annual physicals tomorrow. I'm saving myself and my calories for tomorrow evening. Didn't care to eat my birthday dinner with a side of guilt.
Yesterday was rainy and so, I tackled a monster pile of ironing.  I actually don't mind ironing table linens, which was a big part of the build-up. We don't use paper napkins, plus I buy a lot of vintage linens to use in needlework projects. Once they're laundered, I even iron the tattered ones that are destined for the scissors. Foolish? Maybe, but someone strained her eyes and risked carpal tunnel syndrome to stitch those lovely old things, so I like to give them a proper send-off.

Then I took a nap and ate a delicious, husband-cooked blackened salmon salad, before heading down to the bridge to take pictures of the "super moon," because it was so super.

Two of my favorite birthday gifts? A new hat, modeled here by Nigel...

And this sweet bicycle basket from our girl...

Can't help but think a basket like that needs a puppy in it. It's probably best you don't tell Mike  I said that. Kay? XO

P.S. A great big thank you for all the lovely FB messages on Saturday!

Happy Birthday!!

Wishing my husband a Very Happy Birthday today!!!

"It takes a long time to grow young." Pablo Picasso