~Garden Party~

Today my 'Thoughtful Spot' was turned into 'the Birthday Spot'! 
One of my dearest friends had a birthday this past Monday so we celebrated with a thai food picnic in the garden . . .

 Even the birdbath was dressed up for the occasion. :)

One of my favorite things to do is set a table . . . I had fun setting this one with a vintage tablecloth, Haviland china, homemade 'button' napkins and the last of my roses.

And for an extra special touch I added these great vintage place cards that my wonderful Mom bought me years ago  . . . since a table for two can be very confusing as to where one sits, right? ;)

The gift was wrapped in tissue with a vintage postcard to make it fun.

The food was excellent (since it was takeout . . . ;) )

And the guest of honor looked so lovely . . .

 But the best part of all was just getting to chat away with a kindred spirit . . . there's nothing like another soul's understanding to brighten the shadows we live in. What a gift friends are!

~It's That Time of Year Again~

 We had our last cookout of the season . . .

and finalized everything needed for back to school . . .

And then today the backpacks went on and new shoes were tied . . .

The boys were marched outside for their annual torture picture taking . . .
The Youngest went for silly.

The Oldest went for the modeling look. "Hey Ladies, check out this action . . ."

And then, because I'm really cruel, they had to pose with each other.
Don't they look thrilled?

Ah . . . much better. I think.

And off they went . . . and I am dancing jigs around the house!! ;)

The Youngest started seventh grade today . . . and his brother is now a ninth grader. Yes indeed, high school is upon us! Trying to soak it all in . . . wondering where time went and HOW DID I GET THIS OLD?! I remember my own freshmen year like yesterday (actually, better than yesterday. I really can't recall yesterday too well). Crazy stuff . . .

I would normally be way more emotional than I am on this first day of school, but it's also that time of year for the germs- and they seem to have gotten to me extra early this September! So I'm way too tired fighting some bug to make any more of it than it is. And that's probably a good thing. 

So lots of this today . . .

And tea, too . . .

And then it's early to bed for this mama.
Here's to hoping this is all the illness it's gonna be this month!

Happy September!