WOOT!!

I, who seldom win anything, just won two tickets to the American Idol concert in Raleigh next week!! As far as I can tell, that's a $160 prize! I am sooooooo happy. Don't you wish you could go with me?  

I almost said "Don't you wish you were me?", but that would be silly, since few want to be 70 and 20 pounds overweight.....lol  (unless you're 80 and 40 pounds over!)

Honoring Our Friend Nancy

The beverage table centerpiece, in my mother's compote from the 50's.

One of the table centerpieces.

Another centerpiece.

Jeanne, Nancy and Tish. Jeanne hosted the party in her lovely home.

Nancy could not have been more surprised!

The corsage pinning...

Our friend Nancy recently moved out of our neighborhood to a smaller home. She has done so much over the years to help everyone in the neighborhood, and everything she does is with grace and elegance. We decided to have a party in her honor, thanking her for all she has done for us. We told her that it was a "scrapbooking" party (in order to insure she'd attend) and we planned it as a complete surprise - and we succeeded!! I think we were just as surprised that we pulled it off as she was to discover that the party was in her honor! Before she arrived, we had all gathered and signed a placard I made for her, with a short speech I had written, which I read to her after we ate dinner. As she came through the door, toting her food contributions, I pinned the corsage on her, as she asked..."Why am I getting a corsage?" My answer was..." Because, Nancy, this party is for you!" The last two photos above show her reaction. It was a lovely party; we had appetizers, salads and desserts. We have said many times that we need to compile a cook book, and this party was another example of why that's a good idea! The foods were delicious. We ate outside on Jeanne's beautiful terrace and the weather cooperated well. I have no idea what Jeanne did to keep the mosquitoes away, but stay away they did. Elmo, Jeanne's cat - who is usually skittish around crowds - hung around the terrace all evening, getting head and neck scratches from one and all. It was a fine evening!



Happy Birthday,Millie!

A well-known elder blogger is having a fairly significant birthday today. Millie, I hope your day is wonderful and that the year to come brings you many joys. 

Here are some pretty things to look at; a little bird told me you like sunflowers, so I stole that photo just for you! I took the butterfly photo on Monday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Please go tell Millie Happy Birthday (no need to comment here, unless you want to.)

Happy Halloween To All

This cartoon has been making the rounds both in email and on blogs, but it made me laugh out loud, so I just HAD to show you! Thanks to all of you who sent birthday greetings yesterday; on the blog, in snail mail, in email and on Facebook. I was and still am overwhelmed!

My children and grandchildren are coming today to take me out to my favorite place for lunch; the Japanese restaurant Kanki. I usually go there about once a year, but I think it has been at least 2 years since we last went . I am really looking forward to seeing everyone, and I'll fill you in later.

Tonight, mr. kenju and I are attending the second annual Tiffoween; a killer Halloween party given by the inimitable Tiff and Biff Spiffy at their home, affectionately called 'The Tiny House.' I won't say what our costumes will be, but I hope to have some good photos to show you in a few days. I'm taking a dish of Buffalo chicken dip. Let me know if you want the recipe.

Last night, my good friend Pam came by with a gift bag full of her wonderful home-made pickles and some relish that turns hamburgers or hot dogs into a little bite of Heaven!! I am truly Blessed!

Since my cell phone has not been holding a charge for very long, I decided it was time to get a new one. I had checked at the Verizon store and Sam's and yesterday I went to Costco. I should have started there! The salesman at Costco was knowledgeable and helpful without being obsequious. When you buy a cell phone there, you also get a car charger, ear bud and leather carrying case - all free! I could hardly believe it. I have always had to buy a car charger before this, and they were at least $25. And mind you, the phone was about $10 less than it would have been at the Verizon store - which didn't carry purple!

Texting is not for me, so I didn't need a phone with that capability, and I didn't want one with too many bells and whistles that I would never use, so I got a very pretty purple flip-phone, with a non-slip surface (YAY) and I can't wait to use it. Happy Birthday to me!

Need a good laugh today? Go here and then read the story in the post for October 30th.

Big Doins' at Casa Kenju

No new post today - except this one. We're having a pool party/birthday party/end of school/pre-Father's Day celebration here today and like Alice, I'm falling down the rabbit hole!! Hope you have a great weekend....

And Happy West Virginia Day to all who live there in fact - or in their hearts.


I'll leave you with a quote:

"The door of a bigoted mind opens outwards so that the only result of the pressure of facts upon it is to close it more snugly."

Ogden Nash, author (1902-1971)

In other words: Don't confuse me with the facts - my mind is already made up!"