Today is all about Ellen.
It just so happens she is celebrating her 60th birthday today...
and so it should be all about her!
Though she has been around for six decades...
it is less than one year ago since we met in person for the first time.
We made a little trip south to the Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley last spring...
and Ellen made a little trip north...
and we had us a little get-together.
And then last summer...
we had our first ever Mennonite Girls Can Cook summit...
and all ten of us spent time together 'in the same boat'!
To get ten women together from a few provinces and one from south of the border...
proves to be no small task.
So yesterday those of us who were able (along with our spouses)
...drove south to help Ellen with her birthday eve celebrations.
We had our own little room with a view...
overlooking Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands.
We sang Happy Birthday...several times...
since it sounded so good.
Did I mention that we brought the bass and tenor section along as well?
And then we sang 'Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow'...
a wonderful song for Ellen's birthday, or any other day.
Friends are a blessing from God!
And we showered Ellen with gifts...
among them the 'bread from the journey' which was bound to re-appear sometime.
I'm sure we have not seen the last of that loaf!
Though I just recently explained to my granddaughter that adults do not have goody bags at their birthday celebrations...I may have to tell her there are exceptions!
Ellen had a special little package for each of us to take home.
How fun is that?
Wishing you many blessings on this...your special day, Ellen!
May you enjoy the memories of the years that lie behind...
and look forward to whatever the future may hold.
May you enjoy the memories of the years that lie behind...
and look forward to whatever the future may hold.
Thanks for inviting us to share in your birthday celebrations.
We all had such a good time!
Happy Birthday to Ellen! (I would never guess that she was celebrating her 60th year. Never.) Looks as if you MGCC gals know how to celebrate and enjoy one another. Thanks for the group photo; everyone looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to new friendship. It's good to know that one can never be 'over-supplied' with friends! I'll be that your rendition of Happy Birthday was really something!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! It sounds like you girls really know how to celebrate friendship (as well as birthdays!)
ReplyDeleteFinding her blog was one of the great gifts from God. She has touched my life and encouraged me so much even though we have never met! So fun that you all could get together to celebrate such a wondrous woman! Happy Birthday Ellen!
ReplyDeleteYou've all documented this special celebration so we could be a part of the fun! What a great idea! Looks like a blessed time and a meaningful memory made! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Ellen!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Ellen! You look fantastic for 60! Cheers to you and the next 60!
ReplyDeleteI thought I was overwhelmed last night and now today I'm getting a quadruple whammy! Thank you so much for this wonderful recap and tribute. I appreciate you...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it all over again through your wonderful narrative.
ReplyDeleteNew friendships at our age are worth the effort!!
Oh yes.. the singing with the basses and tenors and the goodie bags... I did not mention those extra treats.
ReplyDeleteHappy milestone birthday to Ellen! It's so wonderful you were all able to meet and celebrate her special day together! I enjoy seeing the new spot where "the bread for the journey" shows up --I wonder where it will appear next?
ReplyDeleteFriends, good food, celebrations, beautiful view - it's all good. Everyone looks happy!
ReplyDeleteEllen looks beautiful in every picture you took of her.....she is aging well! Such a great time together!
ReplyDeleteEllen looks fabulous at 60! She must have enjoyed the celebration with all her Canadian friends It's a good thing the border is just a hop skip and a jump away from your house! It sounds like some of the others may have had to a travel a little farther. You must have had so much fun together. this will be a birthday Ellen will never forget.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful recap of such a wonderful event. She, too has touched the lives of many of us and we cherish every moment together.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't take much for a bunch of us to cross the border and have some fun!
Here is the conclusion that I have come to after reading your blog post and Lovella;
ReplyDeleteyou all can cook, know how to celebrate, know how to sing, and you all are beautiful! What a special celebration for a dear lady.