Photo Album: Mom’s 80th Birthday

We celebrated my mom’s 80th birthday last weekend.  Her birthday was actually in July but this was when all her kids could be there for the event.

All the grandkids were there too.

Before the event, I made a batch of invitations. I photocopied this sweet old photograph of my mom to put on the front.

Each card was a little different from the next.

The party was for lunch and after considering different ideas, we ended up having it at my mom’s house (at her suggestion).

Various family members assisted and I organized the party. We decorated with paper lanterns and flowers from the farmer’s market.

Nestled in the arrangements were naked ladies, or pink Amaryllis Belladonna, flowers that my dad always loved, if only because it amused him to say naked ladies!

Here’s some naked ladies outdoors.

The day was sunny and warm but not terribly hot not like the weekend before.

Michael and Suresa.

Victoria and Caitlin, both wearing giant hoop earrings.

Robert and Leah.

Mom and Sarah.

After lunch we had dessert: Kathleen brought angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream.

Leah made lemon bars from Smitten Kitchen.

I made brownies from the Commonsense Kitchen Cookbook to round out a trio of delicious desserts.

Victoria, Jake and Chelsea.

Caitlin, Cooper and Sarah.

Molly and Mom.

It was really a big, extended family party.

Gianna with Stella.

Stella wasn’t the only one that was tired at the end of the festivities.

Mom and I share an ottoman as we both put our feet up.

Thanks to everyone for being a part of this special day.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

 

Photo Album: Jake & Chelsea’s Wedding

My nephew, Jake, and his bride, Chelsea, just after their wedding.

Here’s a little album from this special occasion on the first of August.

I just have to say that it really doesn’t seem that long ago that Jake was a little toddler! Here he is, all grown up,  before the ceremony.

One of Jake’s cousins, my niece, Caitlin.

My sister, and Caitlin’s mom, Sarah.

Victoria, mother-of-the-groom, with friends, Sam, and best man, Stu.

My mom, Nancy, grandmother of the groom, being escorted to her seat by Jake’s younger brother, Sam.

My brother, Beau, father-of-the-groom, with his fiancee, Pamela.

Jake escorts his mom to her seat.

Here comes the bride!

I think Jake’s got hands like my dad, his grandpa David.

The minister forgot about the rings and almost completed the ceremony without them before several people reminded him and we all had a little laugh.

Family Faw (though a few people are hiding in this picture and one brother and his family didn’t make it out from NY).

Two of my nieces, Miriam and Caitlin, look like Amazon warriors next to their uncle Beau.

I think my mom looks beautiful with her eldest grandson.  The wedding was just a few days after her 80th birthday.

My niece, Leah.

Rem and I.

My sister Kathleen with her little sister Ariel.

Card I made for Chelsea & Jake.

Although the quality of some of the photos is not great, I want to share this event with you. Thank you to Dana for allowing me to share some of her photos as well.

Thanks for the visit.  Congratulations to the newlyweds.

 

 

 

 

 

Rosie Rally Rocked!

We did it! I joined over 1,000 fabulous women today at a Rosie Rally in Richmond.  It was record-breaking in more ways than one: we broke a previous record for the greatest number of women of all ages dressed as Rosie and it was (or at least seemed like) the hottest day of the year.

I got into the details, including my polka-dotted accent nail to go with the polka-dot scarf.  Since this was a Guinness World Record attempt, there was a pretty specific dress code.

The rules specified “black or brown work boots or work shoes,” (I polished up my hiking boots).

We were also required to wear

• Dark blue long-sleeve workers coveralls, OR long-sleeve dark blue collared shirt and dark blue pants, OR very dark blue jeans (not faded). Long sleeves must be rolled up like the classic image.
• Red socks that cover calves (pants must be rolled up to reveal socks).
• Red bandana with approximately 1″ diameter white polka-dots (hair should be pinned up, not down or in a ponytail).

Because I dressed as Rosie the Riveter for Halloween a few years ago, I had most of my outfit ready to go, including a great Rosie name patch and a We Can Do It sign (thank you Alice and Shook).

Getting to the event didn’t quite go as planned. I left later than I thought I would and with very hot, smoggy/smokey weather and unclear information about parking, I was grateful that my friend Nicole had offered to let me park at her place and drop me off at the event. She and Rem averted a Rosie meltdown.

My niece Leah, another Rosie fan and Halloween Rosie, was at the site ahead of me, looking rosy and wonderful.

She brought along the little Rosie that I made for her as a Christmas ornament.

It was really fun being in such a large crowd of women dressed alike. Rosie’s were checking in, taking pictures, dancing, and enjoying picnics. There was a sea of red polka dot scarves.

There were Rosie’s of all ages.

And even a few canine Rosie’s (though I don’t think they were counted for the record).

I loved all the little Rosebuds.

The Swingin’ Blue Stars of the USS Hornet performed great World War II classics like Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Rum & Coca-Cola…

Which got a Rosie conga line going.

We were finally directed to an enclosed area for the official attempt. As we filed under an awning, two people with counters were clicking away, counting all the costumed participants.

Rosie supporters were on the outside taking photos.

A handful of speakers welcomed everyone, thanked the participants and introduced some real Rosie’s, including 95 year old Elinor Otto, whose grandson said she worked until 2014 when the plant where she worked closed!

A Rosie sculpture was unveiled.

A drone buzzed over the gathering while we waited for the official Guinness World Record attempt.

We learned that we during this part of the program, we must all stay in full costume and stay in the roped off area for five minutes. Monitors stationed around the perimeter would note anyone not in compliance when the numbers were being tallied.

In the heat some people had peeled off layers of their costumes but everyone got suited up and the clock started ticking. We didn’t hear the number right away but later they announced an unverified number of 1,083 (I saw 1,084 on the Facebook page).  The previous record was 778 so even if our number goes down a bit, WE DID IT!

Leah and I strolled around a bit. We saw a few more of the original Rosie’s.

More adorable little Rosies.

We decided we didn’t need to take a picture in front of this background.

Because we didn’t really want to wait in line.

Three generations of Rosies.

It was a great event and in spite of the heat, everyone seemed to have a great afternoon.

Getting into the shade, getting out of the long sleeves and digging into some snacks was a great way to wrap things up.

One last rockin’ pair of Rosie’s.

Thanks for the visit.  Thanks also to Melinda for letting me know about it, the organizers for a well-run event and all the Rosies who participated with creativity, patience and a lot of spirit.