Turning 50

 It's been nearly 5 months since I last posted so it's likely everyone gave up on me as a blogger. It's been a busy summer with working at auctions and being a Grammie, but I'm back to post pictures of my 50th birthday. 

My whole family migrated west this past weekend to celebrate with me. It's always a treat when they make the drive instead of us! Richard did what I call the male version of throwing a birthday party- we went out to eat for Saturday brunch. 😁

My littlest niece is so sweet! 😍

It was rainy Saturday morning so I scheduled a tour at a local museum - the childhood home of a local celebrity.

It's so fun to watch my grandchildren & niece play together. 

Pizza party at our house Saturday evening

Somebody loves root beer floats! 

I'm delighted these 2 cuties became best friends.

I might be 50 but I still claim to be the prettiest one of my family. 😆😎😇

So fortunate to still have my parents!

And so very blessed to be Grammie to these little people

(one of whom was already tasting my cake). 😂 

I'm partial to my fam -I think I got the BEST one! The End. 

Yesterday -on my actual birthday- I planned my own party. A day trip with friends from church. 

Our first stop was Fox in the Snow. I had heard of this cafe but never been there. 

IMO, it is worth every bit of the hype! 

My apple pastry, Chocolate morning bun and cappuccino 

Because I was wearing a "Birthday Girl" pin one of my pastries was 'on the house'. How fun! 

I also sampled the Blueberry Galette... 

...and strawberry something-or-other. 

I may or may not have purchased a pecan sticky bun for later... 😏

I highly recommend them all!! 

Next stop was Groovy Plants Ranch. 

10 years ago I would not have picked this place. At all. I was hopeless with houseplants. But Arianna is helping me turn my brown thumb into a green one and converting me into a "plant mom". 

We walked through all the greenhouses browsing, before making our selections.

Then we enjoyed the Potting Shed... 

how fun is that to plant your purchases for free?!

My new plant babies include an air plant... wish me luck!👊

A sago palm -to go with my African things...

(so technically these don't originate from Africa, but shhh! It's got the vibes, IMO)

a ric rac orchid cactus -just because they look cool, 

    and a Little Poker aloe -because I'm a sucker for tiny succulents and have had much success with plain aloe. 

P.S. Missing you, Carolyn & Evie!

Again my birthday girl pin netted me a free sticker. 

We did some shopping, then concluded our day at bd's Mongolian Grill. 

(I wanted The Melting Pot, but the one in that city was closed yesterday.) 😔

I'm not at all disappointed. It's a fun dining experience even with COVID restrictions.

YUM! 😋

And once again, my birthday pin got us free food- fried Oreos. 😉

Best birthday party I've ever had yet! LOL

I have another birthday trip coming up in 2 weeks, Lord willing, so stay tuned...