Throwing a Sweet 16 Party

A sweet 16 to many girls is like a segment of the MTV show, Sweet 16

My Super Sweet 16 - MTV Shows

but it doesn't need to be like this.  Sometimes simple is more unforgettable than over the top (and frankly, way more affordable.).  We had DD's 16th at my cousin's tea room with 6 girls and 6 adults.  Four of these girls that have been together since DD was in pre-school.  This is our Girl Scout troop.  A group of friends that I hope will last long after they age out of the Scouting program.  I reminded them after the toast what a special group of friends they are and that they have something rare that I hope they will work to preserve.  They were certainly the perfect group to celebrate this special day.

Don't worry, this is sparkling cider, but just another touch that made the day super special.  What do the 16 year olds really want?  I think they just want to feel "adult".  They want to feel like a new section of their life has begun.  So this was a delightful way to celebrate the birth of my baby girl.  We had assorted yummies from cucumber sandwiches to American scones to hand made heart chocolates.  I think it all translated into an unforgettable day. 

This is the birthday girl and me at the celebration!  The only negative is that I think, based on a comment today, that dear husband (her father) felt a little left out.  I guess I need to learn to share my princess a bit.

Planning a Sweet Sixteen Birthday

Can you believe that it is almost that time?  My sweet daughter is about to turn 16.

So as everyone knows, 16 is the time for that time honored tradition of a sweet 16 party.  Unfortunately, not everyone is bi-statal (My new word for half living in two different states.  We lived in CT for the first 14 years of her life and have lived here now almost two year).  What does this mean for a 16th birthday party?  It makes it very difficult.  Where do you have it? Who do you invite?  She has made a few friends up here, but not as many as she had down there.  But now we've been gone from down there long enough that some friendships aren't what they used to be.  Needless to say, we have opted out of the traditional big shin dig and have decided to do a small but very special day at my cousin's tea shop, Tea Roses Tea Room.

We have planned a delightful afternoon tea and have rented out their back room. We have been very blessed with a tight knit Girl Scout troop that will travel anywhere to do anything together and so we are keeping it small with all the girls and their mom's (these girls have been together since Daisies).  After what I'm sure will be an unforgettable afternoon (it always is with this group), I suggested to DD that she contact an old friend to go to the movies.  DD and her friend haven't seen each other in a while but talk on Facebook, texting, etc almost every day.  So I'm hoping although this may not be the bash that she once dreamed of, but  that it will be unforgettable anyway. 

I will keep you posted on how the actual day turns out.

How to plan a reunion

In our class, there is one simple step to planning a reunion - put Bob on the job. When planning a reunion, he is like a dog after a bone. He hunts down our classmates with a fervor rarely seen. He makes sure that everyone has an opportunity to attend. This year we were slightly off cycle as this was actually our 21st high school reunion, but as Bob was in a very bad motorcycle accident and spent last year recovering, I think we can forgive him.

The best thing about this reunion is that it was more casual than those in the past and they worked to really keep the cost down. Bob and his friend Dave found a great location that suited the number of people we had and had delicious food. It was interesting to note the classmates that came, many of them hadn't come to any of the previous reunions so it was really good to see them. Most of them were inspired by their interactions of Facebook, as many of us had reconnected there. For me though, it was kind of the opposite. I felt like I already had talked to everyone. Had it not been that Bob is such a good friend, I probably would not have gone myself. But I will admit, I had a good time reconnecting with some old friends. By in large, I will tell you that the women have aged much better than the men (I am the exception to this rule, but we won't go there). If I'm really brave later today, perhaps I'll post my high school picture with a side by side and you can judge.

So if you have been ignoring your high school reunion, RSVP now or commit to going to your next reunion.

Peanut Butter Cookies

As promised yesterday, today's post will explain this picture:

This may make the story clearer for you:

Did you guess correctly?

I have mentioned before that our neighbors have been none too friendly here, with the exception of our closest neighbors who were the first people to greet us when we arrived. They have been helpful by offering phone numbers, inviting us over for batmitton, and just generally being friendly. So I decided to say thank you. A few days ago, I made several homemade cards including a card for them and then I planned to make peanut butter cookies. DD actually took over the task. We used the recipe from the KitchenAid mixer booklet (page 42) which is easy and yummy. We picked the best and most perfect cookies to send over and then we packed them up. DD ran over to deliver our delicious thank you for all their kindness. Without them, our new home would be very lonely.

I think my next project is to cook something up for the unfriendly neighbors, but I need to cook for coffee hour and the homeless shelter first. What projects do you do to make people feel special?

Simple Ways to Welcome the New Neighbors

We have been in our new home for almost a month and we have met exactly one family. Didn’t it used to be protocol to come over and greet new neighbors. I think I even remember a Rugrats episode when Susie’s family moved into town, all the neighbors brought Jello molds to their house the mother couldn’t even find room in her fridge for another leaning tower of Jello. Thus far, we haven’t even gotten as much as a wave except for one family.

In my old neighborhood, I defined neighborhood very loosely. Neighborhood didn’t just mean the six houses on my cul-de-sac, but basically any house that I passed getting to the main road. Whenever we noticed a new family move in, a batch of brownies or muffins went in the oven. Within the first two weeks of their arrival, we would pop by and say hello. I personally think greeting new people in the neighborhood is not from etiquette books of past but an important role that we can all fulfill.

Some great ways to introduce yourself:

The old fashioned dessert hello – Like we did, bake a batch or cookies or brownies and bring them by.

When the moving truck pulls in, offer to give a hand. Maybe you’re not strong enough to carry their piano or they have professional movers, but perhaps you can offer to take their kids over to your swing set or watch them outside at their house to free up the new neighbors to move in.

Jot down information about the closest grocery store, vet, and movie theater. Give them information that they should know about their new neighborhood.

Have a reverse tea party. Boil some water at your house and bring it by in a carafe for a get to know you tea that the new neighbors don’t have to do any work for.

Invite them to something you have going on. If you already have a picnic or party planned, be sure to drop off an invitation. Maybe the guys have a regular card night or game day planned, why not invite the new man in town.

It really doesn’t matter how you do it, but take the time to do it. Moving is stressful and difficult especially if they have come a long way. Take a little of the stress out by welcoming them like long time friends.

Sites to See in Central Massachesetts

Yesterday, we explored a little scenic culture in this new town of ours. We rambled up to West Brookfield to enjoy the Asparagus Festival and then ambled down to the Brimfield Flea & Antique Market. What a crazy day. I truly enjoyed the Asparagus Festival. I imagine it is somewhat like what our old hometown fair was like 100 years ago. There were just a few vendors spread across the town green. There were plenty of people but not so many that you couldn’t get into the booths to see people’s wares. We even got to enjoy a cup of Asparagus chowder. My girlfriend, Shirley, had heard that there was to be asparagus ice cream, but we didn’t find it. I’m not sure that that was a great loss. The festival was small enough that we had time to head down to the Flea Market too, so we rallied up and headed down.

The Flea Market was absolutely overwhelming. I don’t think we saw even a 10th of it. It did make me happy that we avoided Brimfield in our search for a home. Coming from a town that is completely overwhelmed during our annual fair, I did not want to move to a town that had this three weeks a year. I may as well have moved to Disney World or into the city if I wanted that. We wandered in and out of some of the tents looking at all of the interesting items for sale. I think because I just moved my view point was a little bit skewed. All I kept thinking as we walked around was how difficult it would be for these vendors to pack their items up – especially the China dealers. I didn’t buy anything except for a cup of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, but I’m going to make sure I’m ready for the July & September markets. I think that this might be a great place to go Christmas shopping.

An Inspirational Note

Have you ever received a note from a friend at just the right time? Has a letter brightened your day? Or a card given you a little strength?

Well, I have. In 2001, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and after several surgeries and months of treatment, she was not the only one exhausted and disheartened. As her caretaker and the mother of two, I came home from a particularly long day. I didn’t know how to draw the strength to keep going. I sat at the table too tired to even take my coat off. I thumbed through the mail. I began opening as required, piling in garbage and to be reviewed piles. Then out of the blue a small envelope gave way to a small card: a sunflower on the front and a simple note “You are appreciated” inside of it. Suddenly life didn’t seem so overwhelming. I had a friend. Alas, I was still exhausted and my mother still died shortly thereafter, but I never forgot that note. For many months, I kept it hung on my fridge as a reminder of friendship and hope.

Since that time I have periodically passed on the blessing I once received. It is a simple and loving task.

First, keep your ears open to those who may need a boost. Is someone getting a divorce? Does someone have a sick child? A sick parent? Does someone just seem tired or worn out?

Second, keep your eye open for cute note cards or artsy paper. Collect them and save them until the purpose arrives.

Third, when the occasion come take just a minute or two to write a heartfelt thought, sign it, seal it, and put it in the mail. I actually like to sit down every few months and write 5 or 6 at a time.

Since that first sunflower note that showed me the power of human compassion, I have probably sent out 100 notes. I know I haven’t written to everyone I know that has been trouble or hurt, but I know that those that have received the ones I have sent have felt the same power that I did on that difficult day.

Rockettes & Girl Scouts

The show was great!

We took the Metro into the NYC walked to Radio City and saw the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. Several of had seen it three or four years ago, but their were also several that had never seen it and for that fact had really never been in the city except for a school trip to one of the museums. So this was a new door opened to them. For them, I wish that we had more time to explore the city. Alas, we only had time for the show and then back on the train to CT.



I have to tell you that I love the tap dancing numbers. There is something about dancing that is also music that I find amazing. Also, as a Christian, I was thrilled to again see the live nativity scene. One of the other mothers was shocked that they had it. Christmas has been so washed of its meaning in general society that it is surprising to see such a religious scene. She was pleasantly surprised.

One of my favorite parts of trips like this with Girl Scouts is the doors that it opens in girls' minds. As I mentioned, several of the girls had never really been to the city and had never taken a commuter train, now they have. A couple of them have never been to theater until they came to this troop. These activities which seem like just fun trips have expanded their universes and given rise to new possibilities in their lives. It is quite awe inspiring when you think of it.

We are down to only six girls in our troop: four that have been together since daisies and two that are actually cousins that joined about two years ago. One of the mothers of one of the newer girls said to me on the train, "I never expected my 14 year old to still be in Girl Scouting. This troop has been such a good thing for her and me. She really loves Girl Scouts." The mother went on to talk about how Girl Scouting had opened so many doors to both of them and provided them with activities and ideas that they would have never come by on their own - and as she put it, "not just the good stuff either" (meaning the Rockettes), but also our work on the Crop Walk or visit by the coordinator of HELO orphanage in Haiti; badge work; hikes; camping, etc.

So Girl Scouts and the Rockettes, thanks for a great weekend!

A Wine Tasting with Friends

DH and I are planning a great evening at Gouveia Vineyards.

The first time DH and I did a wine tasting, we actually went to Newport Vineyards. I love their wines especially Great White and Sanctuary. Newport does not have the ambiance that Gouveia does, but they sure have the variety to make up for it. You can even arrange to tour their processing area. We have tried several wine tastings with our friends Bob & Shirley, but have never gone with the group we are going with tonight. The nice thing about our plans tonight is that we will have a tasting, hear live music, and then we are going to pick out a couple of our favorite bottles to share together as we eat hors devours that each of us has brought along. It should be a wonderful evening.

Tastings at vineyards are usually not very expensive and usually pretty informal. Do not be intimidated. In Connecticut there are actually two wine trails that have been mapped out for people to travel and try the variety of what is available here. You don’t have to be in the Napa Valley to enjoy local wines. When we find a flavor that we find particularly interesting, we usually buy 6 or 7 bottles to give out for gifts or to add to a bottle or two to our collection (ok – collection sounds way to formal for what we have).

This Economy - Once A Month Cooking

As the kids and I were checking out the local market, we all noticed that friends of ours were posted as delinquent by the cash register. Aggh! They were already forced to move to a rental because their house was repossessed. Could they be in financial trouble again? I called a mutual friend when I got home, who knew the couple better than I. As we’ve been very busy with moving and such, I wondered if I had missed something in their life – had there been a loss of job or illness. Apparently not. The friend was quite distraught for them and I asked if she knew of anyway that we could help, because truthfully many of us are only one job loss, one illness, one major life change away from being in the same boat.

Anyway, the friend noted that she couldn’t think of any problems with the family, other than they spent a great deal of money on eating out. She said that often they were so busy trucking their children here and there and often could not get dinner ready. Both parents work and while this brings in extra cash, it leaves them very short on time. So I thought what if we all got together and tried some Once a Month Cooking. I don’t think we actually have to achieve 30 meals, but even if we could have one or two in the freezer, all of us could be better off. My girl friend thought it was a great idea. So I am supposed to be looking into the idea and how we can save money, work together, and get some great food.

So here is where I turn to you, I need some ideas. Have you done Once A Month Cooking? Have you done it with a group? What have you learned – good and bad? Do you have any favorite recipes? I appreciate any help that you give.

God’s Answer to a Dysfunctional Family is Great Friends

Today, we spent a great day with old friends. Bob and Shirley have been friends with us since before we were married. I grew up next to Bob and George was friends with Shirley all throughout school. These are the kinds of friends that join you for the fun times and carry you through dark times. We are very blessed in the friends department, because people are blessed to have even one friend like this and we have many.

Today, we met up about noon and took a hike together. Hiking is something both of our families enjoy doing, but clearly we each have put on a couple pounds and are a couple years older, because we were quiet satisfied with our hike today which was nowhere near as long as we usually take. After a couple mile hike and lots of conversation and laughter, we came home for burgers. It is great to have friends that you can sit down and not worry about a thing. Shirley helped me in the kitchen and Bob and George cooked the burgers.

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked”

-Bernard Meltzer