Molly's Bridal Shower

We had a great time hosting Molly's bridal shower. Nineteen women came for luncheon yesterday. Patti had the house decorated with garlands of yellow dots and blue triangular flags. Tables were set on the porch and in the house with yellow carnation plants and little blue glass sailboats as centerpieces.

At one pm we put out appetizers of hot cheese crackers, deviled eggs, smoked salmon canapés, cucumber sandwiches, herb butter spread, and assorted cheese and crackers. Guests were offered Prosecco, iced tea or cucumber water when they arrived. At one-thirty we put out the buffet lunch of chicken salad with croisants, fruit salad, Caprese salad, and spoon bread. Molly opened all of her wonderful shower gifts. WV and NH sugar cookies and Patti's lemon cupcakes with lemon curd filling were available for dessert. Mary Laurel had drawn up the invitations and a sign for the favors of "Molly's Turtle Soaps". A good time was had by all. 

One table had Matt's mother, aunts, and cousin. Another table had the Sunapee crowd (Jeff's cousins) and a third had Molly's friends from Boston University. The last table had Molly with her Maid of Honor, Patti and myself. Each guest signed a special card that Patti and I fabricated for Molly as a keepsake of the occasion. Below are some pics.

Lake Sunapee

The lake is very lovely with refreshing water that all the dogs like to swim in. We have been playing a lot of Mexican Train Dominoes with neighbors and watching a lot of tennis at Wimbleton. ML and R traded in the Audi for a RAV4; pretty exciting stuff. I enjoy seeing pics of Arlo.

Summer Progress

I made it to New Hampshire in one piece but it was a hard 2-day forced drive. I had a tire blowout on I95 just north of Petersburg VA. I swerved all over the road before getting on the right shoulder. It was scary but only took an extra hour.  A nice man stopped and changed my tire then led me to a tire store to get a new tire. The dogs and I got to John and Carol's just before dark. It took 12 hours all together. Next day took about 7 hours with bumper to bumper traffic over the GW bridge.

We had a very sad Fourth of July as Rosey, Patti and Jeff's corgi, was fatally wounded by a car on Friday.  I now feel I must keep my dogs on a leash when walking down to the lake.  We will miss Rosey very much.  All the dogs are quite subdued. Thankfully, Matt and Molly were here to help during the crisis.

My week at Montreat Music conference near Grandfather Mountain was cut a bit short because I needed to get home to arrange for the summer progress. It was a nice place but very hot -low 90° s. The folks in the group house were lots of fun. Not sure I would go again, however. The rehearsal and meetings rooms had no A/C.

I hope to be seeing Ned and Royal soon and visit my former neighbors in South Hero VT. Then it's back to prepare for Molly's bridal shower. The weather here at Sunapee is wonderfully cool.

Arlo has been having adventures in CA. Below are some pics from ML.

35th Wedding Anniversary

It's hard to believe that Moody and I were married 35 years ago today.  It seems so long ago and yet just like yesterday.  It was hot that day just like today here in NC.  Our recessional was Widor's Toccata and it still takes my breath away every time I hear it on the radio. My choir friends all helped make the refreshments served in the parish hall.  We had 3 dulcimer players in the courtyard hammering out mountain tunes.  I had lots of family and friends there besides the whole congregation.  It was a blessed day.

I have not updated my blog in a while.  Patti and Jeff came to visit over Memorial Day weekend.  We toured downtown Pittsboro and went to my Sunday church service.  We played poker and Mexican Train Dominoes and grilled dinner on the BBQ.  Today is Jeff's 64th birthday.  Wish I knew how to add a music file to play the Beatles song.

Our Voices concert was May 30.  It was wonderful and I'm sure I'll get a link to highlights some day soon.  I went to visit our director, Sue, at her house on Bald Head Island.  We walked on the beach, drove around in a golf cart, looked in the shops, swam in the pool, and cooked a lot of dinners.  It was lovely.

This weekend I am taking it easy after hosting our women's tennis tea last Tuesday.  I'm getting ready to go to Montreat in the mountains of NC for a church music conference; like choir camp for adults.  Folks from my church rent a house there and we will be sharing food, etc.  I think it will be something like Shrinemont. Also, our last Scottish dance group meets this week, we will be off until September.  I have some pics below of some paintings I made for a school project about "Spain" when I was 11 years old. Maybe I should have stuck with painting. I am excited about going to Spain for the first time this October (Andalusia), and a concert tour there with my chorus in June (Northwestern area).

And of course, a picture of Arlo sitting at his new table...

Arlo Fam Bam

We just returned from Virginia Beach where the Bileks threw a huge birthday party for Arlo. Friday night was family and Saturday afternoon was the Fam Bam. That's a new phrase for me but very descriptive. All of Larry's family was there and almost all of Ester's family that live in the U.S. Many of Robert's buddies were there as well. Beautiful sunny weather with a constant little breeze helped make the beautiful Bilek backyard like paradise. It was so nice being with everyone.  There was an antique auto show on the boardwalk which was also fun.

1962 Fiat Jolly designed for yachts

1957 Chevy

Sim carving the roast pig

NYC

Last weekend Sim and I traveled to NYC for my uncle's memorial tribute. We drove to Maryland then took a Bolt Bus to Manhattan. We got there in time to see some shows. I saw The Audience with Helen Mirren portraying Queen Elizabeth II. It is snippets of weekly meetings with her PMs over the last 68 years or so. It was fabulous but the 2 corgis that had scenes in the second act was my favorite. I am thankful to Catharine who got me the ticket.  Saturday night we had dinner with our hosts, Mickey and Bobby at a Turkish restaurants.

The memorial on Sunday morning was very nice being held at Catharine's Second Stage theater. It was followed by a lovely buffet lunch at the Hilton.   It was great to be with John and Carol, Ned and Royal, Courtney, Catharine, Charlie, Christine, and all the Chamblee's.  We took the bus back that evening and drove home Monday morning.

Happy First Birthday, Arlo!

Had to believe that Arlo turns 1 year old today. I'm so looking forward to seeing him next weekend.