Secrets

I have discovered that it is really hard to keep secrets and keep up with a blog.  I need to borrow Harry Potter's cloak of invisibility, and figure out how to let some people in while keeping others out.  If any of you know the key to that possibility, please let me know.  After keeping so many Christmas secrets, I found myself helping plan a surprise birthday party.  Alas...more secrets!

A few weeks ago my friend's husband called to see if I could help in sending out invites to the party he was wanting to have for his wife's 50th birthday.  Knowing that there would about 25 people attending, I was pretty sure that he was not going be to able to pull it of by himself so I offered my help, and my home.  I had a blast planning it with him.  He was super excited, and as I told my hubby, I could see him bouncing with anticipation by his messages.  It was great because he brought in all the food and this yummy floral arrangement.  It was filled with so many interesting flowers, and the party horns were a delightful addition.  I'm going to have to file that one away in my brain for the future!

That left me the freedom to play with decorations and party favors.  (And get the house clean!)  I asked him for some "growing up" pictures of the his wife that I could display at the party.  Some of them were just too cute not to use in a more prominent way, so I made candle holders for the dessert table.  They were so easy!  The chimneys are the same ones we used in the wedding last summer, and I also used some of the left over ribbon.  (It pays to keep left overs around, even if it makes my storage closet a little impossible to get into, cluttered!)  All I had to do is scan the photos into my computer, print them on vellum, and use two sided tape to temporarily adhere them to the glass.   

Since I survived the jungles of the health food store, I was able to open the lab and experiment with making the cupcake bath bombs for party favors.  Even though I am disappointed that there won't be any bubbles, they turned out pretty well.  Actually, they turned out prettier than the edible cupcakes I usually make!....and....they smell good and fizzzzzzzz.  Really....it's all about the pretty anyway. 

After the initial shock of the surprise started to wear off, my friend said that on the way up the sidewalk to our house she turned to her husband and asked, "There's not going to be people jumping out at me, is there?"  He just basically mumbled something unintelligible. We did yell "SURPRISE!" but there was no jumping going on. She celebrated her day surrounded by those who loved her, and had a great time.  Turning 50's not so bad after all!

Blessing of:

- Great friends to celebrate with.

- Chatting with neighbors around a fire.

- A warm bed to crawl into after a long day!