The third and final anniversary post. Despite telling my children this was not necessary, they decided to have a party. I did convince them that no extra guests were required. I was picturing a BBQ at my youngest daughter's house which was made for parties for people with children. Instead they booked the restaurant that holds the tea parties.
For decorations they had their children break and enter my home and steal items. This is from my security tape (which Mr Merry reviews). It says Shhhh, don't tell mimi.)
They took photos off the wall and searched and found our wedding album.
The food was lovely. They had salad, Cornish game hens, lasagna, a vegetable mix and mashed potatoes.
Almost everyone could come. One grandchild was on the other side of the state at college and one was working and then had a varsity soccer game.
Youngest son and wife.
Youngest daughter and husband.
Middle son with wife, step daughter and boy friend, and one of his sons.
Oldest daughter's husband and daughter; she was the photographer.
With our oldest son.
A bunch of grandkids.
More grandkids
They had a copy made of the middle layer of our wedding cake.
They made us play a game with wipe off boards. We failed miserably.
My oldest granddaughter made a painting of our recent family photo.
Her cousins were quite impressed!
The crew.
This is the official end of the 50th Anniversary celebration.
Thank you for all the kind words on my anniversary post. That was kind of a day without the comment feature working, wasn't it? I was sure I had uploaded my post wrong and then I couldn't figure out why I couldn't post comments either! Was I banned for bad behavior? Was it personal? Whew.
Now to the dinner. This is the resort where we went for our fancy Christmas when they offered Season of Joy weekends with foods, crafts, activities and musical performances. Unfortunately they were bought out last summer by Six Flags and they have discontinued the Season of Joy.
We are happy to report the restaurant has not changed.
Mr Handsome in his suit pursuing the menu. There is a water feature in the garden outside the window.
Oh look, I did take a picture of the view.
We thought about champagne but remember who we are. A peach cider for the lady and a Bud Lite for the gentleman.
For our appetizer we shared Lake Erie Walleye Cakes with red pepper, Spanish onion and lemon dill aioli. They were scrumptious. I would go back just to eat them again and again.
Mr Merry order the Veal Cutlet with garlic mashed potatoes, arugula, fennel, and a roasted tomato demi-glace. He said it was very good.
Mrs Merry had a hard time deciding but went with braised short rib over the garlic mashed potatoes with sugar snap peas, bell pepper, gremolata and braising ju. It was a good choice.
Although we were absolutely stuffed, we still ordered dessert. Mr Merry had his heart set on Key Lime Pie.
Mrs Merry went with a Peach Cobbler.
Our desserts came with this card with an handwritten note inside.
Ma and Pa then waddled to the room for the night.
The next morning we waddled to the breakfast room to eat even more food. The buffet is just as awesome as it was at Christmas.
The servers will make you waffles and bring them to your table. There is also an assortment of cereals and juices.
An array of fresh cut fruit.
A yogurt bar. I would love this in my kitchen each morning.
These chafing dishes hold scrambled eggs, biscuits and sausage gravy, potatoes, sausage, bacon, grits, steel cut oats, mini quiches, and probably more things I have forgotten.
We sat by the coffee bar.
I know personally I ate more food in the past 24 hours than I would normally eat in a month. I will probably not weigh myself until at least Tuesday and pray for a miracle.
And tomorrow our children are hosting something. I told them it wasn't necessary (we just had a family dinner a few weeks ago for the family pictures. And I told them not to invite guests (we have interesting families and would like to keep it to just our children and grandchildren). I have just been told we have to dress up so I am a little worried. I wish they had not spent the money. And gosh knows we are not hungry, lol.
I had all kinds of posts planned this week but now it's Friday, somehow, and the big day is here.
Fifty years ago these two nineteen year-olds were married in during a one hour mass and celebrated a reception at the country club.
The engagement on Christmas 1975
A year after the wedding.
Actually Christmas 1982 with a 4 year old, a 2 year old, a 1 year old and my youngest daughter under my maternity smock. You can tell I am expecting by the slits of my eyes in my swollen face.
The 1990's.
The day we learned we were going to be grandparents.
Our fortieth wedding anniversary.
And now the 50th!
There were even more but I will spare you. Didn't the photographer do a good job? More dress up, I guess. I got his tux on clearance for only $99 last winter and my dress was $19.99 from Temu. I just realized today that I could have probably used it for my Bridgerton Dress for the tea party by adding a ribbon under the bodice. Oh well.
And while I am speaking of dress up again, the witches outfit is not going to work. The sequined blouse, which is lovely, is too blousy for the skirt and it is just not good. I have already ordered a second top and if worse comes to worse, I will just wear a plain black dress I already own with one of my fabulous witch's hats and call it a day.
We have reservations for a fancy dinner tonight at the resort where I used to attend the Christmas weekend. We are spending the night and enjoying the fabulous breakfast buffet in the morning before coming home. Sunday our children (five children, four partners, 11 grandchildren) are taking us out for lunch at the restaurant that hosts my tea parties. And Monday will be leftovers.
When my oldest daughter started kindergarten her teacher told me "Emily has a spinning mind". I was very proud of her imagination. She is now a college professor of nursing practices with a Phd. which isn't where I thought she would be, but there we go.
Meanwhile let's talk about my spinning mind and dress up.
I have a milestone birthday coming up and my best friend since high school found a neighboring community is turning their downtown into a Bridgerton knockoff for several hours complete with harpists and a tea. It coincides with my birthday and she has bought us tickets. After conversation we have decided to dress in Regency wear although we are not competing in the costume contest. I have ordered this outfit (it didn't come with the hat). It actually fits me without hemming. I do look more fluffy then this lovely young girl, but the gloves fit my arms so I couldn't ask for more.
A nearby city has an annual event they call a "Witches Walk". Last year they had 15,000 spectators and participants - grown women in witches costumes. 750 witches participated in the witches dance (you study Facebook videos for weeks prior) and there were 950 in the costume contest. It is four hours of dances, parades, contests, concerts and more. There are vendors, and restaurants with themed meals and bars with themed drinks. It is pretty crazy. The tickets for the Witches Walk are $45 and this enters you in a $5000 raffle, $200 costume prizes plus other prizes and admissions. Last year the Walk raised tens of thousands of dollars which were donated to Meals on Wheels, After School Programing, Kiwanis Club Literacy Program, and other programs benefiting senior citizens and youth. Spectators can attend without a ticket, but will not be admitted to all events. If you are interested in more photos and videos, check here.
AND for the second year, my own little town is copying the event on the first weekend in October, calling it "Witches Wander" in the downtown on a Saturday night. We aren't dancing or having a concert, but for $21 we can dress up, shop at all the local stores who will remain open with special events for us, the downtown restaurants and bars will have specials, there are all kinds of contests and we get a fancy swag bag. Instead of thousands, they are only selling 200 tickets.
My husband and I drove through town last year and saw everyone having such a good time and I decided I would participate this year. And I talked my youngest daughter into coming with me.
I have been gathering options for my dress up.
I have another top option on order.
The skirt is slated for double duty.
I am dressing up for some special birthday photos! My favorite photographer has a session reserved during my birthday week for one of those photo sessions with a sign board and a cake that little children have. Mine will be slightly silly (okay, major silliness) and the skirt is part of the costume along with my pink cowboy boots. And the boots might make it to the Witches Wander, too.
So I guess my theme for my (choke, gasp) seventh decade of life is dress up. Or at least year one!
