Positive Weather Vibes, Party Day Means Another Year Older, Perfect, Full House

We woke up on Saturday, Sept. 30^th basically at the same time. It was before 6 when Bill reached across and rubbed my arm. I think there was a little excitement in the air and in our minds for the upcoming day. I’ve been praying for a sunny day all week and even if that only partially comes true, a good day it will be!

Today, Bill turns 65. A great number! No one should grumble about getting older, I don’t think I have, ever. 60 gave me a bit of a start but when you think each year older means you’ve beat the alternative, what is to grumble about? I gave Bill a card and some jubes, one of his favourite treats. He gave me a look of “I told you not to get me anything” and quick on my feet I said “They are from Clemson”. Mom didn’t raise any dummies!

Happy Birthday Bill!

After my first tea, I drove into the Foodland to pick up my Romaine lettuce hearts and a couple of other things needed for our everyday living. Bill was on the move too but went the other direction to fill the water bladder at the Acreage. The sun is making an appearance and that is so encouraging! Back at the ranch, I mean, the Ridge, I cooked the hamburger and sauce for lasagna. How much will 10 people eat? We’ll find out!

Bill worked away at installing the equipment shelf in the bedroom and only needed my help to hold the tv once. The tv needed to be removed so he could screw into the bottom of the cabinet and it gave me an opportunity to dust back there. Oooh! That is disgusting, I’m glad no one else saw that!

It is a different colour but with the black tv and window shade it seems to blend in just fine
It looks great! and I have my cupboard back

While he was doing this, I got out my ‘newly-discovered’ waffle maker and finished off the remaining batter for breakfast. Bill loved them and I loved the quick, easy prep and cleanup. After eating, he vacuumed up his mess and put things away and I finished putting the lasagna together into two foil pans. My daughter interrupted our prepping with a phone call to her step Dad to wish him Happy Birthday. She is a keeper for sure! A phone call is so much nicer than a FB or text message, let’s face it.

And the sky is co-operating

 The good news for us is that her weekend plans all fell apart so I thought I’d invite her to come for dinner. One more mouth to feed meant nothing and Bill was very pleased when she said yes! If we’d had more room and if more family lived closer, I could have invited more but geographically it didn’t make sense for them to drive so far for such a short stay. The indoor space for a larger crowd is one thing we have sacrificed but we entertain however we can. One of his daughters would have come being only an hour away but she is in Myrtle Beach until tomorrow.

Turtles still gather on the log to get their suntans

With most things started, I took a walk down to the corner of Baptist Church Road. I wanted to see how cold 8C really was and was it feasible if we wanted to hang around outside at all. The winds are the kicker even though that sun is very warm. We might be sitting inside all afternoon which would be unfortunate but still entertaining!

Delicious!

I had my shower around 1 and Bill finished vacuuming the Suite and decided to lie down for his nap. He has been going steady since he got up too. The geese were in the pond again this morning, I’m sure also planning their journey south. I love how they follow each other through the channels in our ponds. Woops! I spooked them again!

Follow the leader

Spooked!

I walked up to my garden and gathered today’s bounty and as I walked down on the south side of the Suite I noticed that there was hardly any wind back there. Hmmm. I really wanted us to sit outside in the beautiful sun and this seemed possible since the wind was coming from the north. I began setting up our chairs in the sun in a circle and Bill joined me. 

A nice warm spot and Bill and Clemson relax for a bit

It wasn’t too long when our guests began to arrive around 3.

Our 'family' friends, Pat and Rob

My sister, Donna and Gerry

My sister, Cathy and Bill

My sister, Gayle and John

Our friend, Mike (also 'family')

My daughter, Bridgette with Clemson and Rob

At 4 I popped one pan of lasagna into the convection oven for an hour. Once it finished, we placed it on the grill mat in the Weber at a low temperature to keep it warm. The second pan went in the oven and by the time it was cooked we served dinner up. I’d planned this process out in my head many times over the last couple of days. How are we going to cook both pans to be able to serve them hot? Hmmm.

Supper was ready just after 6 and by the time we ‘herded’ everyone inside and got them seated it was close to 6:30. I dished up lasagna and they helped themselves in buffet style to the Caesar salad and rolls. We indeed had a full house but everyone was seated comfortably and enjoyed the meal. I heard many times ‘this is really good, Pat’ so that made everything worthwhile. Bill enjoyed himself and I do believe everyone else did as well.

We've moved inside and our addition of  the hi-lo coffee table was an asset

Couldn't get a smile out of Bill no how!

Mike declined a seat at the table so I could sit
and found it 'just fine' on the stairs

This one includes Gayle eating off our keyboard tray

When I brought in the carrot cake from the bunky, I lit the tea light candle I’d put in the centre and we started singing Happy Birthday. 

We had many choices for dessert as I had a Black Forest Cake and Rob and Pat brought a variety box of cheesecake. Yum! 

Forgot to capture desserts before we dug in

When the evening rolled on with laughter and stories, I felt very content and relaxed. Saying goodbye to our friends and family we all noticed how cold it was, already dropped to 8C.

The dishes will wait for morning, I’m only keeping the plastic plates and tossing the plastic ware. We have lots in a large box from Costco from years ago. Bridgette has the farthest to drive so I will be anxious to hear that she got home in her little Mini Cooper. I love her new look with at least 10” of her hair cut off. It was so great that she came for the afternoon/evening.

I'll pat myself on the back for putting a successful party together
Bill was very thankful
Just enough lasagna left for two - perfect!

Bill and I had another sliver of cheesecake and I poured myself some more Colio Blush wine. Time to really relax. We watched some tv and settled in for the evening.  I wouldn’t change a thing! The sun was hot and we sat outside out of the wind for at least 3 hours. I hope your day was at least half as good as ours.

Thank you for stopping in today. I love reading your comments.