Birthdays...Books...Vin et Fromage..

                                     Emma's 9th "Luau Themed" Birthday!

Still recovering from the weekend.

The kids...

The babies...

                                                                                                           

And marvelling at James and Fred who have been friends since childhood, well over 20 years...and their two youngest boys who are now beginning that journey themselves.

                                                     Fred and James

                                           Aiden and Turtle (Fred Jr.)






And Nicole who managed to pull the whole thing together with Tiki Pineapples lit...and Trays of Pulled Pork...Fresh Chunked Pineapple and Watermelon and James' Piemento Dip...along with a mini beach...bowling with coconuts..."Sea Water" Drinks (Sprite with food coloring and Swedish Fish) and "Beach Balls".

And of course the kittens...

Garfield, Gir and Lucy (fur)...who was Lucifer until they realized it was a girl...lol!  In Lucy's defense she has mellowed a LOT since she first came home...all five inches of spazz...claws and hisses.

But everyone had a great time...and it was wonderful that Brittany (Nicole's  adopted daughter) and Amelia Rose  (her honorary grand-daughter and my honorary great-grand-daughter) made it after work.

                                       
                                                  Nicole and Brittany

                                                      Amelia Rose

Amelia Rose was still a newborn on Christmas Eve last year...now when she stands she is a tiny ballerina stretching up on tippy toes...working on a pink leotard/tutu combo for her before the holidays!

And more birthdays this week...Loretta and I heading out to celebrate her's soon! 

Well...slogging my way through "World Without End", perhaps more aptly titled Book without END, the sequel to "Pillars of the Earth"...and not sure if I like it yet or not...maybe I am just burned out on Ken Follett Mega-Worlds.

Or...it might be Chris' fault.

He, who recently started reading (and sharing with me) the Game of Thrones books...OMG!!!

If you think the televised series is amazing...try starting with the first book. I am completely hooked! Now I understand Bill's infatuation with the Dark Tower Series.

Finally finished Giverny in my Virtual France Adventure and am starting the week (and will finish out the month) with The Wines and Cheeses of France.

 Have found several French Wines I want to try...in addition to REAL champagne from Champagne, France. Also, have realized that there are between 350-400 types of French Cheese.  

Once again, you could sample a different French Cheese every day...all year long...and STILL not try them all. 

 Going to narrow it down to a select few that sound interesting.

C'est La Vie...