A Celebration and (Art) Challenges

 

 Happy Spring! Finally we are having true spring weather and things are just beginning to bud. We are definitely  about two weeks behind because of the very snowy  and cold January and February, but happily we're catching up.

 The gorgeous bouquet of flowers came from my hubby for my (62nd-yikes!) birthday which was on March 15. This was a complete surprise since my birthday was to be a nice dinner out and a bit of shopping, and I ended up having a three day birthday. I was quite spoiled this year💓

 We had dinner at Prime Steak House on the Saturday before my day which was where we had our son's wedding rehearsal dinner back in October-and this was our first time dining out since then. It was very busy -nice to see- and we were very comfortable with lots of space between tables in various rooms.

 Our waiter was wonderful, and Bill and I both started with a Caesar salad with warm fresh bread along with water and cabernet sauvignon. We chose a seafood special which consisted of a lobster tail, broiled scallops, broiled stuffed flounder, and a choice of a side. I had the rice pilaf. Our waiter surprised me with a complimentary birthday dessert which I tasted then Bill finished😁 Everything from start to finish was perfectly made and delicious!! Cheers to the the T Stands For Tuesday peeps!

 On Sunday, first my Mom stopped by with this:

 

Yes, I got another gorgeous bouquet of flowers, and a card with money in it! Then later my daughter - in - love made dinner for us! We had a spinach lasagne, salad, fresh Tuscan garlic bread, and homemade chocolate mousse. It was amazing (so mad I forgot to take photos-grr)! That girl can cook!!! She and our son also got me new art supplies of my choice from Joggles:

the things on the right-yes, new Dina Wakley stamps and stencils besides a few other things. On the left are goodies Bill allowed me to pick out as a gift while we were in Hobby Lobby-and each item was 40%off 😁

 One more thing before moving on to the art:

 another really lovely surprise I received! This beautiful birthday card on the right (and it had a French theme 💓) along with all this ephemera from Erika. That was so sweet and generous of you Erika. I was truly touched. Thank you SO much!

OK, let's get to the art finally! First up I'll start with a tag:

 This is meant for two new challenges: the Simon Says Monday Challenge (Whatever The Weather), and Tag Tuesday ( Mostly Monochromatic). I used Tim Holtz tissue paper, Paper Dolls, and Chit Chat stickers. The tag is from my stash along with the paper flowers and brads. The fabric washi tape is Recollections. Frayed Burlap Distress Oxide ink was sponged along edges.

Two more pages in my hand made Curvy journal:

 I will join Paint Party Friday, and Try It On Tuesday (theme is use a stencil or two). The stencils on both these pages are Dina Wakley as are the two main images which are from her Collage Collective book. 

 A special thank you to all who left such poignant and loving comments in my last post regarding Eileen's passing. XO 

"Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds, the harvest can either be flowers or weeds".