Birthday Bash

Today is my sweetheart's birthday! How great is it to have your birthday fall on a holiday? No need to ask for the day off!

Happy Birthday to the man I am blessed to call mine - the one who loves me, cares for me and makes me laugh till my side hurts!  You are such a joy to be married to I love you!

Several weeks ago, I decided that it would be fun to have a get together with friends and family to celebrate him. Last year we hosted a hot dog roast for a friend's birthday party and it was a great hit. So I thought that it would be fun to kick off Memorial Day weekend, Birthday weekend and summer with a hot dog roasting, wii bowling, cake eating, outdoor shindig. And even though the weather forcast turned from icky to nasty, I really thought that the rain would cooperate and give us dry afternoon.

All bundled up to eat on the back porch.

Silly me, what was I thinking? By Thursday evening it was clear that the rain definatly was not going to let up. We needed a covered area to bar-b-q and a house big enough to entertain 25 people indoors. So we decided last minute to change the party to my parents home - emails, text messages, and phone calls went out the night before the party and fortunatly everyone got the message. Whew! It would have been awful to have someone drive all the way to our home and find an empty house.

So even though all the plans had been made for our home and an outdoor setting, I quickly readjusted the menu and decorations to fit our new party central.

Nothing worked as I had origionaly planned it two weeks ago....And everything was wonderful.

Everyone brought a dish to share and it was quite a feast!

A dear friend brought two homemade cakes:

German Chocolate

and Orange Lemon. Yum!

The guys played pool and the gals played a fancy dance version of twister. We all laughed till we cried, talked late into the day, and started off the weekend with a fantastic time of fellowship.

It just goes to show that our perfect plans are not always the right plans for a get together. Sometimes it has to be readjusted and tweaked to fit unusual circumstances. But we can either go with the flow or get upset that that our plan was foiled.

I think I'll go with option one -

go with the flow.

No need to cry over spilled milk...

just pour yourself another glass.

Do you also find it hard to let go of perfect plans?
Are you having to learn to go with the flow?

All photos taken by yours truly.

Gotta Do What'cha Gotta Do

So today I had grandiose plans of posting two cute table setting for a coffe and tea time and linking to Tablescapes Thursday. But wouldn't you know, life got in the way yesterday and again today! What was it thinking? Work, slepping, geting home late and appointments keeping me from all of you on bloggie land - the nerve!

At first, I was super disappointed in myself for not getting it ready. Then I looked back over yesterday (when I usually get photos and thoughts gathered for a post) and today (when I out it all together) and realized that I was overly tired, had a genuinely busy day and at the end of it all.....

You Gotta Do What'cha Gotta Do!

And yesterday, I had to rest. Spend a few moments with hubby talking about our day before we drifted off into sweet dreams. I needed to eat a healthy meal.There were projects to finish. Today was worse! I'm just getting home and have not a single dish clean, nothing in the fridge for dinner, and the roof is caving in on me! (ok not really... that's all a bit more dramatic than it really is, but you get the picture right?)

So here is my conclusion after all this rambling:
1. It's ok to let something go and do it later. "too Blessed to Stress" is just that - not letting the stress of everyday affect our joy, love and hospitality as women, mothers, wives, daughters. It's learning to focus on the positive despite the junk thats going on around us.
2. I'm a week ahead on my tablescape posts! Next Thursday, be sure to stop by and see a charming and romantic setting for you and that secial someone (hubby, kiddo, neighbor, family, member friend) in your life.
3. I now have more time to post about the marvelous findings from the thrift store and my latest transformation project. It's a .... cuter than life footstool that needs some a LOT of TLC. And I can't wait till it's done to show you all!
4. And lastly, I can finalize all the details for my first giveaway ever!!!!!! yippie!!!! (yes, that's a lot of exclamation marks... but I'm so excited !!!!) I'll give you a hint: become a follower. It will increase your chances of winning. And tell you friends to come on over and follow too... the more people, the more times everyones name will go in the drawing.

What things are you having to say "no" to today so that you don't miss out on life's special moments now? Would you be willing to share in the commments below? As always, I love hearing from you all!

Photos from top to bottom: our sweet pup sleeping with her moose, valentines decoration in my home, sign I repurposed - check out the post here.

Being Bold

Question for ya: If you see a beautiful arrangement or decor idea, are you bold enough to take photo so you'll remember? Or does the embarrassment of taking photos in awkward places keep you from documenting your ideas and inspiration?

My mother is an amazing woman. And when it comes to photos, She is fearless! See the beautiful photo above? That lovely arrangement of floating petals was in the bathroom of a cruise ship we were on

Yes you heard right. The Bathroom.

Talk about taking photos is awkward places! Well the story goes like this:

We were standing around waiting for lunch to start and I decided to run to the restroom real quick before we were escorted down the hall. A few seconds later, I heard someone walk in and wash their hands. Then I hear the sound of a camera shutter opening. And then click...flash.

I knew instantly that it was my mom!

"Mom?" I said.

She burst out laughing, "I thought I was alone in here!"

"You just took a photo of that petal bowl, didn't you?"

"How did you know?"

Now I'm laughing so hard, the tears are rolling.

Yes indeed, that lovely photo would have never been unless she was brave enough snap a pic in an awkward place.

(note: she REALLY did think she was alone in there. Neither of us would ever take a photo in such a taboo place unless alone. just sayin.)

Just for fun, here's a couple shots of my honey and dad pretending to be excited about their dainty salads at the lunch that day. My mom and I thought they were kinda cute. They saw it as a two bite nibblet. My hubby's exact words, "This is the salad? This is ridiculous!" We laughed a lot that day!

So here's to being bold, fearless and making memories. What memories are you reminiscing about today? I'd love to hear in the comments below!

Happy Saturday!

When Life Gets You Down

Have you ever had one of those days? You know the ones I'm talking about.

Where nothing is going right,

everything feels ten times bigger than it really is,

and you don't feel like doing anything.

Are you having one of those days today? Where life is just a bit overwhelming?

This week is going to be a crazy one at our home.

Lots of work to do.

Long hours.

So many things that I want to do, but won't have the time to squeeze in

Just when I am about to let those thoughts of defeat settle in my heart, I see this:

That's my pup.

Resting.

Relaxing.

Unaware of all the clutter and chaos around her.

She still loves me.

...and I am suddenly reminded that I do what I do because I love it.

I love the people I work with and work for.

And even though this week feels like a tornado, next week I will be resting and reconnecting with my family and home.

I have to keep reminding myself:

This is only one week of many. One chapter in the grand scheme of life.

Breath. Everything will be ok.

I'm entering this post as part of Tuesdays Unwrapped over at Chatting At The Sky. Head on over and check it out!