Birthday Day

This so far….is a low energy day. I think we are saving all the energy for the party tonight. So, no one was out of bed before 8:30. We were probably all awake, just not moving. When I finally heard movement I jumped up, took my shower, and headed upstairs.

Ben was already in the kitchen preparing for Gretchen’s birthday breakfast. Menu for the morning was Mimosas and French Toast New Zealand style. They learned of this recipe during their travels to and from Antarctica. So, you fix the traditional French toast, then layer between slices of sautéed bananas and bacon, sprinkle with powdered sugar and top off with maple syrup. Yum, yum!!!

Before we actually ate though Karen presented her birthday gift to Gretchen, I was standing by with my camera, as I am prone to do.

In May Karen had been in Ohio on our Friend’s Hike and brought with her all her material for a book for Gretchen. Those who know me know that I love to put together books through Blurb.com. Karen’s book for Gretchen was my 5th that I have worked on either with others or for myself. So, we spent two days putting the book together, submitting it through the internet and then a few weeks later waiting for it to arrive so that Karen could give it to Gretchen on her birthday. The book of course is all about Gretchen from day 1 to present day. And Karen did a terrific job with it.

So, as the four of us were sitting around together this AM Karen presents her present, Gretchen opens it and at first thinks it is a framed photo because of the picture on the front of the book. But then she realizes it is a book and completely looses it. She knows exactly what it is because the very first book I created was for Karen about our friendship. She isn’t even able to open the book for all the emotion…it was a wonderful moment!!!

Gretchen opening Karen's gift

After the present we had our delicious breakfast and all was quiet for a while. Then, I had to deal with my birthday present disaster. I had purchased a lovely light weight long-sleeved top for Gretchen. It was wrapped in green tissue paper. A spot on the tissue paper got wet, the green stained her top and ruined it. So, it was out shopping for a new gift. From there we wandered, giving Gretchen some time for a nap. We headed out where we had a view of the inlet and then to Potter’s Marsh. The Marsh had a few families of Canada Geese and Violet Green Swallows, but other than that it was quiet in the marsh.

Back at the house Gretchen was leaving for a run, Ben was unloading groceries and I was sneaking my gift into the house. Around 4 PM Gretchen was back and we gathered in the kitchen for more snacks, drinks and more gifts to open!!!

We then worked on dinner, got ready for the party and headed up the hill to Sally’s house. Sally is a long time friend of Gretchen’s who happens to live just up the road in another lovely home. We hauled up all the drinks, food, and whatnot for the party, and just when all was in place the guests began arriving.

Some of the party guests

Gretchen wanted to play games at her party, so we had croquet, badminton and a game called ‘washers’, which is a take on horseshoes except with large metal washers. I think everyone got involved with one of the games at one time or another. Everyone had a great time. Around 11:30 PM the gang came in the house and the birthday cake was presented with the usual song and lots of happy wishes for the birthday girl.

Ben and Dan playing 'Washers' (note how light it is out at 10 PM)

Gretchen on the Croquet Court!

By midnight I was done. Just couldn’t keep up with the ‘kids’ so I wandered down the hill and found my bed. Didn’t hear a thing after that until 8:30 AM.

I have a feeling that Sunday will be a very quiet day!!