Monday, February 15, 2016

Choose To Celebrate

  Well, hey there lovelies! Hope everyone had a super weekend. Thanks so much for the birthday wishes for our son Todd! I even managed to post a pic on FB much to his chagrin; however those of you who saw it there will be happy to know he didn't unfriend me  :):)

 Here are just a few pics of the birthday celebration on Sunday. Please pardon the mediocre photos along with the fact that I paid no attention whatsoever to what was in the backgrounds (Peanut was there-do you see him? :) It was hard enough trying to keep up with dinner AND get at least a few pics of Todd.


 Aunt Betty on the left. She is Todd's great, great aunt. She's 89 yrs old, works one day a week and lives alone in her own home along with her sweet "Momma Cat". Oh, she now goes to an adult coloring book, wine and cheese  party once a month! That's my Mom on the right.

Yup, this is typical of Todd when I bring out my camera. I can't tell you how many photos I have to delete! He even blew out the candles on the cake so fast so I couldn't snap a pic that there were bits of wax sprayed on the cake!!! We all had a good laugh but then Aunt Betty and my Mom convinced him to be nice and let me get a few pics.

                             Now isn't that better?  Father and son.

 Since I forgot to include a drink in these shots for T Stands For Tuesday I'll share the meal Bill and I had with our friends last week for lunch-where? But of course, McCarthy's!

  Lynn had the large portion of fish and chips (so she could take home leftovers) and it was a HUGE plate-all for $12!!. She enjoyed about a third of it with a Bloody Mary.

 I had my usual:

  the roasted red pepper, caramelized onion and brie melt along with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. It never disappoints!

 And what's a post without a bit of art?


  These ATCS are for the Simon Monday Challenge this week - Recycle/Upcycle. I cut 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" pieces of corrugated cardboard from a box. I peeled away portions of that top paper then dry brushed some burgundy and white acrylic paints over the panels. I glued on some torn pieces of used dryer sheet then added the images (ARTchix Studio). I finished them with some tiny buttons and old fabric ribbons with printed words.

 It's snowing here again, supposed to change to freezing rain :(:(   However it is to get warmer and turn to rain late overnight into tomorrow. So, another art day-yay!  Guess I'd better think about St. Patrick's Day and Easter art now...

 Thanks for popping in. I'll be around to visit too!

" There are as many special occasions in life as we choose to celebrate."    Robert Brault






26 comments:

  1. Good looking son you have there Linda ♥ So glad he had a great birthday . Your Aunt Betty looks amazing !!! ♥♥♥ Love the ATC's ♥

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  2. Great art, photos and food on show today. Love the look of that fish, that would have been my choice. Fun family photos, too, even if somebody didn't want to be caught! The ATCs are beautiful. Happy T Day, and have a great week, hugs, Valerie

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  3. First, I want to thank you for the beautiful teapot you sent me. It is gorgeous and I wish I had taken a photo of it for T day. I will for next week, though. I was SO impressed with the lovely goodies you sent, too. SO thoughtful of you, and you have NO idea how handy and useful many of these will be in the coming months. I am most grateful. I would have written sooner, but frankly, I got busy cleaning, doing laundry, and making beds and completely forgot about the gift you sent. When I opened it earlier last evening, I came to the computer to send a thank you message, but fell asleep in the computer chair. I only woke a few minutes ago, so you can tell how wiped out I was from lack of sleep since Friday. Again, thank you beyond belief, Linda.

    Your son and husband are both so handsome and look good together in that shot. Glad he had a good birthday. Seems he enjoyed himself, even if he's as camera shy as my cats.

    Yum. I just woke and should be thinking about coffee, but those meals look so good, I'm ready to eat. And of course, having wine with lunch (or any restaurant meal) still blows me away because we have no such option here.

    I am in love with those ATCs, because I'm SO big into recycling. Cardboard and dryer sheets are a staple in art at my place, so these are simply stunning.

    Thanks for sharing Todd's birthday, your fantastic ATCs, and your lunch with friends for us for T this Tuesday. And thanks again for the lovely and generous gifts.

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  4. Happy birthday to your son Linda - how funny he hates having his photo taken - I think we all went through that phase when parents wanted family snaps!
    Your brie melt looks really good - although I don't eat dairy cheese I could have that with a vegan cheese on top - think I'll give it a go!
    Your little atcs are lovely - they look like miniature books and I love that ribbon with the words on.

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  5. Happy birthday to you son, how funny he hates having his photo taken - I think we all went through that phase when parents wanted family photos!
    Your brie melt looks amazing - although I don't eat dairy cheese I could have that with a vegan cheese on top - I think I'll give it a go!
    Love those little ATCs - they look like tiny books - the script ribbon is lovely.

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  6. i LOVE your atcs!! they are wonderful! and you have a handsome son (and husband, too!!) the Kids in this Generation are growing so large, don´t they... but i like that!
    have a great t-day and rest of the week!

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  7. So nice that Todd could be convinced to have at least two good pictures taken of him. (That you haven't had to delete). Handsome lad!
    That portion of Fish and chips is huge! What a good choice. She would have another meal for the next day. In the UK it is no longer allowed to serve fish and chips in a newspaper. I think it's because of the toxins in the ink. How come you get away with that in the US? But it does make it look very authentic and as I remember fish and chips.
    Your meal would have been my choice too I guess. Sound and looks very yummy.
    As you might have noticed,I haven't linked up yet for the simple reason I have not written anything yet. I will soon. We are in a bit of a situation here, which is will be resolved but you will read about it in my blog later on.
    Happy T day
    Lisca

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  8. Great shots Linda- what a handsome son you have. Its good he still comes home to celebrate. And your meal out looks sooooooo yummy. Nice art too. It is a Happy T Day for you, freezing rain or not. Loved the family photos, did I say that already? Hugs.

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  9. Looks like Todd enjoyed his birthday celebration even if he doesn't enjoy having his photo taken. We've been having that same cold and now ice, but I hear a warming trend is on the way so there is hope it will all melt.
    Stay safe and warm and keep making your beautiful art!

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  10. I love your ATCs. I'll bookmark the pictures for inspiration as I consider how to make some more myself :)

    What a fun party! I love it when the generations gather.

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  11. Lovely ATC's! Cool that they are made from recycled materials. My son doesn't mind photos...he just tends to give me goofy looks that are generally not post worthy. He does it on purpose too!
    Happy T day!

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  12. Very nice looking family Linda.
    What is it about "boys" and pictures??? I have many just like yours.......I even used to wait till they fell asleep on the sofa...then get a pic....LOL
    Thanks for sharing the b-day pictures....and your lunch
    Happy t-day

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  13. My daughter is in her late 20's and hates to have her photo taken too... so i know your pain...lol She was such a ham when she was little ...loved to pose.. i have so many photos of her like that... when do they become so self conscious? Happy Birthday to your son!! You did nab some great photos!!! Happy Tday! Hugs! deb

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  14. Todd is a very handsome man - no wonder: Bill and you are also a very good-looking couple! Great you had a nice celebration - your aunt looks fabulous for her time of life ..wow!

    I love your ATCs - they look gorgeous!

    Happy T-Day Linda
    OXO
    Susi

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  15. Wonderful post ~ your son is so handsome and family looks wonderful ~ Love your ATC cards ~ they are fun aren't they ~ l'il art!

    Wishing you a happy week ~ ^_^

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  16. Belated birthday wishes to your son Linda. I don't know why these boys hate pictures that much.Mine are just 9and 4 and already they don't like to pose -:) By the way I tried your Apple cake and it was delicious.My kids are asking for more now. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.
    Happy Tuesday
    Hugs
    Susan

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  17. Ha! Ha! I have loads of photos of my GS with a hidden face! Love the fish and chips pic! Your ATCs look great! Hugs, Chrisx

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  18. Great photos dear...handsome father and son, lovely aunt & mother! Looks like your family has the "aging gracefully" genes!! I love the atc's too !

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  19. Pretty art, yummy food, and I'm glad you got some pics of the camera shy son!!
    Happy T-Day! :)

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  20. Loved all your pictures -- food is always a hit with me!
    Your art is wonderful -- I just wish I could have enlarged them more so I could see them better.
    Sandy xx

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  21. Happy times....I'm glad you managed to take such a lovely photograph of Todd and your OH in the end.

    omg that food looks a m a z i n g!

    Loved seeing your atcs.... wonderful images.

    Karen x

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  22. lovely post and beautiful creativity

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  23. Nice party! Love how you used the cardboard to back your ATC's, and also the woven words, Linda! Thanks so much for "recycling/upcycling" with us this week at Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge!

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  24. what great fun, Linda! Isn't it fun fellowshipping with family and friends over great food! Belated Happy T Day!

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  25. Beautiful photos of your family and lovely ATCs, my friend!!

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  26. Thank you for sharing the handsome men in your life here Linda.
    I am with Todd on not being crazy about having my photo taken ;-)
    It looks like you had a really special celebration.
    Beautiful ATCs!!! Corrugated cardboard is such a yummy thing to work on isn't it.
    I have a lot of catching up to do.
    oxo

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!