A Birthday & A Family Celebration

Greetings lovely friends & readers

Welcome to July - here we are in to the 7th chapter of the year already !!

 It's mid winter here at the bottom of the world & there are no flowers anywhere in my garden so I did a little arrangement with a pretty cyclamen on my table, just for a splash of colour these grey days.

On the very last day of June I celebrated a sort-of-special-birthday.  By that I mean I turned 65 & here in New Zealand you receive the Government Superannuation once you reach 65 years of age.     I am curious if this happens in other countries too, so please leave me a comment & let me know. 

My brother & sister in law travelled up to spend the weekend with us - they've not been for over 8 years now.  I decided to have a family lunch on the Sunday, this way my sons & their families could attend also.  

As I was seating 10 people I decided to turn my dining table sideways instead of longways.   You can see above, that a certain ginger family member was none too happy about this fact & also, by the way Mum (Me) was running around, it was apparent that guests were arriving ... this always displeases Her Royal Highness (!!) 😉😾

We'd decided to have our usual pizza lunch, we all enjoy pizzas & the local shop makes such delicious ones.  I made some dips & nibbles & The Mr ordered me a beautiful Carrot Cake from a new local Bakery Station Grill

Bubbles & Birthday Cake .  .  .  .  what's not to smile about ?? 

From left to right, the birthday girl, sister in law Leonie & daughter in laws, Sarah & Nicole.

We all had the loveliest time - it's very rare that we get together with my brother these days (apart from funerals) & it was so wonderful.  Just all very casual & relaxed with plenty of food & laughter.

I was indeed spoilt & received some wonderful gifts from family & friends.

Then on Monday (my actual birthday) we had a craft get-together at Gails & she made me yet another cake & I was gifted the flowering plants above right.  The stunning table runner (left) was made by my dear friend Leeanne - my photos do not do it justice, it is just the most gorgeous shade of green, heavily quilted & made from vintage dupion silk that she thrifted.  💚

It's now school holidays here in New Zealand & this week has been time spent with Alec.  We went to the Minecraft Movie yesterday & I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would 😉

Today is pouring with rain & we have had 2 days of heavy rain warnings.  Little One is on the good bedspread 😖 & Madam Pip is tucked up in a wee ball in the "hut" her mother made her in a corner of the couch.  

(Blackie is out in the carport asleep on the ride on mower seat)

Two little verses that appealed to me on Instagram & I thought I'd share them.  The first one is funny (& certainly true for this "woman of a certain age) & the second one is VeRy true.

Thank you as always dear friends, for your ever-welcome visits here today,

Sending much love & friendship to you all,