We had a wonderful lunch to celebrate Hanno's birthday yesterday. The family gathered for the event at a local restaurant and while we all enjoyed the food and the day, I sat back, looked around and thanked my lucky stars for what I have. A good family is the most enabling and enriching support system any of us can have in life. Honouring birthdays and other important days strengthens family ties, reminds us of our unique place and celebrates what is remarkable about us and the family we come from. Hanno wasn't the only one who came away from that gathering feeling better for the time spent there. I think we all did.
A lovely photo of Sunny that I hope her Korean family see all the way up there. Hello Sun Ja!
Jens and Cathy.
No, he wasn't asleep.
My sons, Kerry and Shane.
And a selection of the food.
Today we're back to our work at home. The garden is almost finished and ready for the photos that will record the time and effort put into it this year. This year's main point of difference is the amount of time we've spent relaxing in the garden. It feels good to work at planting and weeding and then to sit and look at what you've done. It may be changes to the look of the garden, it could be improvements to the productivity, it all contributes to the sense of doing valuable work and enjoying the fruits of that labour. But this morning I'm resting after a late start. I'm still tired so I'll be taking it slow today. My main activity will be knitting Miss Maggie Rabbit's caplet and making her felt boots. If I do those two things well, I'll be one happy gal.
What work are you doing today and this week?
What a lovely venue, Rhonda. Was it at Montville? You all look so happy and the food looks scrumptious. Lots of happy memories made I dare say. Today I have caught up with my grandchildren's plans for the school holidays via phone and done a little gardening and the never ending washing. I am taking it slow today like you ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt was The Terrace at Maleny, Chel.
DeleteHow lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves! That's a lovely photo of Sunny and Master Jamie looks very smart in his bow tie. The food looks absolutely fresh and delicious.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a lovely day with your family, the meals look delicious too. Have a well earned rest & enjoy the rest of the week.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful family photos, great photos of all of you. Doesn't Jamie look smart all dressed up. You are right Hanno does not look his age!!!
ReplyDeleteSome pretty and lovely family photo's to cherish! Happy birthday Hanno!
ReplyDeleteAnd oh.. the work to be done? A lot of administration, to be honest. And some knitting (a shrug), backing (bread) and (I don't like this one a bit..) relaxing! Got to cure from my burn-out.. yak! But it will be ok. On the run now! Got some thing to do ;-)
Have a wonderful week every one!
Love from Holland
Gorgeous Photo's, you have a beautiful family and really glad you all enjoyed Hanno's special day xoxo
ReplyDeleteWow, the view, the food and the family and friends....what a lovely way to celebrate and those grandchildren of yours....very smartly dressed for the special restaurant luncheon. Happy Birthday and have a slow relaxing week. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane
ReplyDeleteMy, such lovely family photographs, you all look so happy and relaxed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a feast! Many happy returns Hanno!!
ReplyDeleteJ xx.
Family is a wonderful blessing. So glad you and Hanno have your lovely bunch. Handsome grandson's too! It looks like a great time.
ReplyDeleteThat bunny is darling! I hope you'll show us yours when she is finished!
Deanna
Happy Birthday Hanno!!!! I agree with Hanno that the best gift is bringing family together, although that food looks sooooo good =) I knew you were expecting a new grandchild but I guessed I missed her arrival. Welcome little Eve.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Vicki
Trinidad & Tobago
You sure have the most handsome grandsons! Lovely to see you had a wonderful time with family!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely family party! So festive, and the venue is perfect for a birthday fete. I am so glad to know you had a great time. Birthdays are definitely something to be celebrated.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely looking group. The restaurant, the food and the landscape looked fantastic. I'm sure the family enjoyed this special event. Take time to recharge yourself. Thanks for sharing and have a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteBelated happy birthday to Hanno. Food looks good. I like your outfit Rhonda.
ReplyDeleteMy very best wishes,
Angela ( South England ) UK
Happy Birthday to your husband, your pictures are lovely, the food looks so special. x
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lovely meal. So nice to be able to gather (almost) everyone together! As for work to be done--I'm currently on deadline for an editing project, and I have another project that is ongoing as well. Despite that, our homeschool year is off to a good start, we planted our fall garden this weekend (so now comes all the tending that will need), and my family's birthday season kicks off in October, so I need to somehow find time to complete the handmade gifts I'd planned. Taking a peek at your blog was a nice break, and now back to work I go! :)
ReplyDeleteHow cute Jamie looks in his little bow tie! Today in Connecticut I have a honey cake in the oven (for my Jewish friends), I washed the floor, made some applesauce and I made yogurt for the first time! It's incubating - I don't know if it will come out right at this point. I also did two loads of laundry and made some quick placemats with gingham duck fabric which has hung around too long. I would like to be this productive every day.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good day to me, Lana. Yoghurt is an easy make. If it's not quite right, leave it a bit longer and if it's not as thick as you'd like, strain it in a strainer with muslin to allow some of the whey to drain off.
DeleteWonderful memories made that lovely day, gorgeous grandsons. Apart from the usual....chores, knitting and sewing.....I want to finish painting the bathroom, that was halted when I toppled off the ladder.....have bought one of those metre-high platforms, so no more falling off ladders. I'm also trying to decide what to do with my garden.....I'm hoping my move will happen soon, I want to keep growing veggies but don't want to put a lot of slower growing plants, like eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini etc in the ground and not get the benefit. Pots will be the way to go I think, just have to decide how and where, I still want the garden to look nice for prospective buyers, but not give all my hard work and $$ away. Just have to walk around, look and think about it for a bit....it's the best weather for doing that. Like the others, I hope we get to see Miss Maggie when she's finished ...I have Alicia's Phyllis Mouse pattern to make for my great-granddaughter. Enjoy your week Rhonda.
ReplyDeleteI so love that Restaurant! What a wonderful place to celebrate...
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday Hanno!!! All the best for you and your family!
ReplyDeleteWhat restaurant is this? We're getting married in Montville soon and I'm still looking for a nice place to take everyone for dinner the night before. Thanks Rhonda, looks and sounds like you had a fab day - you guys deserve it!
Frances
Hi Frances, congratulations on your impending wedding. This is The Terrace restaurant in Maleny, although it's not in the Maleny township. It's before the Montville turnoff and if you've driven to Montville, you will have driven past it. http://www.terraceofmaleny.com.au The staff were wonderful and the food was delicious.
DeleteThanks Rhonda, I will have to check it out - it certainly looked amazing!
DeleteFrances - it also has spectacular views of the Glasshouse Mountains - I also recommend this restaurant, it's just divine.... :)
Deletegorgeous photos, making memories with your children and grandchildren is so very important and the boys will always remember this special day
ReplyDeletexox
A belated Happy Birthday !! Loved the joy on the faces of everyone having such a blessed time and the food looks awesome.. Beautiful family.. xo
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