In my blog I plan to chat about nature, crafts, baking, gardening, beekeeping, family, and whatever else seems appropriate at the time. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Friday, January 20, 2017

Five on Friday - Happy Birthday Pa!

Happy
Birthday
PA!

 MENU
Tossed salad
Zuppa Toscano soup (I have a great recipe)
Texas garlic toast
Spaghetti with marinara sauce
Meatballs in sauce
Baked Ravioli
Pies (Dad's Birthday, Dad's choice!)
His birthday was last Sunday, but I'm just now getting around to posting pictures. 

We had Dad's birthday dinner at our house.
And it was just our immediate family.  17 people is enough to cook for, don't you think?
I don't know how Ma Walton did it!


We enjoyed some relaxing and catching up on each other's lives. 

Just to prove I was there!

This little guy was asking Mom what he should call them!  They are his Great Grandparents!


He looks all sweet here, and he is,
but he is also ALL BOY!


Happy Birthday Pa!
81 years young!


TWO

I gave my brother the hat I made him!  I think he liked it.


And I gave my sister the scarf I made her, and I think she liked it.
She had been asking for a scarf to wear to her daughters soccer games, in their school colors.

Bro-Sis

THREE
A lot of people ask how I have the energy or time for entertaining. 
So, here is how I personally do it. 
I plan and prepare ahead. 
I'm a list maker.  And I love pretty pens and papers and notebooks. 
And I like to plan.

FOUR
I bought this little notebook holder last summer in Nashvville, IN at the Mulberry Cottage. 
It's a very artsy town and this is a hand-made fun little arts- craftsy notebook holder. 
 It holds those mead size notebooks.  I'm not advertising, I'm just showing you what I use for planning.  It keeps everything together and there are pockets for pens and papers on the inside.
 I don't know about you, but if I don't write it down, I tend to forget!
Look at this notebook.  Looks like an old McCalls pattern!  I use it for crafty ideas.

So, back to planning.....
*I clean house at the beginning of the week, and I touch up at the last minute.
*Mom and I went grocery shopping on Thursday evening.
On Friday, I dug out some of the pans, bowls, and glasses that I will need for Sunday
And on Saturday, I did any cooking that could be done ahead of time.  For example, I fried the sausage for the soup and ravioli sauce.  And I would have actually made the soup on Saturday, if we weren't waiting to see if we were going to get an ice storm. 
(We did not get it by the way - but I will show you what we did get in a later post)
So anyway, you get the idea....plan ahead, do what you can ahead, and enjoy the day!
I also set out what I will need ahead of time. 

FIVE
afterwards.....relax!  You deserve it!

We've been fighting off colds/flus etc. and I just haven't felt like doing much this week, including getting on the computer.  So for those of you who have left comments, I really do appreciate it, and I am going to spend some time in the next few days visiting your blogs.  Thank you so much.

And after I visit your blogs I'm going to go visit blogs that have participated in Amy's FIVE ON FRIDAY!  You should too!   There are some very creative bloggers out there!

Cindy

13 comments:

  1. Hope you are feeling better. Looks like a great event. Belated Birthday wishes to your Pa. I am a list maker too, I know if its on a list it will get done. Have a great weekend.

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  2. You have had a busy week! Far too much to comment on it all, but I wanted to wish you Dad happy birthday! Hope that you get rid of the cold and feel much better very soon. Enjoy jotting things in your notebooks in the meantime of things to look forward to. Glad your brother liked his hat!

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  3. The 'little guy' is lovely! So are the hat and scarf you've done for your siblings.

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  4. What a great birthday party. And that little fellow is adorable -- he's a cutie pie!

    Fun to see that old McCall's pattern. Brings back old memories of my mom sewing when I was a girl. I used to sew a long time ago too.

    Wishing you a beautiful weekend,
    Brenda

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  5. What a great time was had by all! Wonderful photos of your family celebration. Love the scarf you knitted for your sister.

    Have a great weekend.
    Happy Five on Friday!

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  6. I agree with you about Ma Walton. Imagine all those kids! Great tips in your post and I'll try to remember them next time I'm the host.

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  7. Being organized and planning ahead is a great way to enjoy entertaining. How sweet to see the photos of your dad and his great grandson. Precious.

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  8. Goodness what a lot to do, hope you have a good rest next week.

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  9. Hope you feel better! Happy Birthday to your dad. I used to always request pie on my birthdays as well. Doing things ahead of time is definitely the key to entertaining a large group. Hope you are having a relaxing, resting weekend.

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  10. What a great family! So many big and beautiful smiles :) When I look through your photos, I'm always admiring your lovely home. That big room is so inviting with the light coming through those huge windows and your white kitchen is breathtaking . . . I love white kitchens.
    Happy Sunday!
    Connie :)

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  11. I'm a major foodie. Was hoping for photos of your food. Maybe next week? And the recipe for the soup? I'd love to have that. Please.

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  12. Thanks for sharing Pa's celebration! I'm glad the hat and scarf you made were well received, and I hope you are able to rest and be well soon :)

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  13. Cindy, Looks like another fun get together for your family. Your dad looks very nice with a twinkle in his eye..I just call myself nana to my g.grands and Ted is papaw. I think it's okay for many of us to be called the same grandma and grandpa names. Blessings to all of you, Hope you enjoyed the weekend. xoxo, Susie

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Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment on my blog. I enjoy reading them. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Cindy