How Did I Ever Get THIS OLD??

Hello my friends!

Yes ... today is my birthday and I am now officially of RETIREMENT age!  

How in the world did that happen??  LOL!

(BIRTHDAY BLOG CANDY COMING THIS WEEK!)

It's been a very BUSY week for me so we're keeping my birthday a bit low key (I need to catch my breath)!  But hubby and I are headed out shortly for a nice dinner.

No cooking for me today!  YEAH!!

Anyways, I have a few things I'd LOVE to share with you!  As you know I made a quick (5 hr drive) trip to Indiana to Joan's Gardens on Thursday to visit with Joan and her designer Selma Stevenson.  Selma is from the state of Washington so needless to say, doesn't get in town too often.  

Bette Henson from Illinois [behind Joan] and I [behind Selma] met at a workshop at Joan's a few years ago and have continued to stay in touch ever since.  We arranged once again to get to Joan's early so we had some extra one-on-one time before the other ladies arrived.  How blessed am I to have met these lovely ladies!!!  

And here's the entire group that was able to drive in to spend some fun time with Selma and pick her brain on how she continues to make those AWESOME paper flowers.  She was kind enough to spend time with us sharing some of her helpful hints & techniques.  She sure knows how to make it look easy!!

Something else on my agenda this week was the Annual Ladies Tea sponsored by the Little Beaver Historical Society over in Darlington, PA (my home town).  My cousin Beverly is on the board and started this lovely event three years ago.  Each year the theme is different and the fabulous array of food is unique and delicious!

(Cousin Beverly)

The theme this year took us back to Civil War time and shared the story of the part Darlington, PA played in the movement & protection of slaves with our various underground railroads.

This young lady (Sarah) dressed in period clothes (from a trunk in the Historical Society) and told the story.  She was FABULOUS ... you could hear a pin drop in that hall and during her story she truly portrayed her character (tears and all) and believe me there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd during it!  
 

This very talented couple also live in the area and sang some of the negro slave songs and told us how there were hidden messages in the songs and the character references in connection with the Bible.  They were fabulous also and I truly enjoyed the day.

Beverly has been kind enough each year to have me come and set up my cards for sell.  Sales weren't all that great this year but that's okay ... it was fun to see some of my repeat customers again and enjoy the program.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I wish you a fabulous week ahead!

HUGS from OHIO
Darlene