October 29th is my 50th birthday and I thought for a long time how I wanted to spend the time, not just the day,  but the weeks even months leading up to “The Big 50”.  I did a career change last summer so for the time being I am not officially employed other than teaching my tea courses one night a week so I have my days free for now, actually everyday is like being on vacation! So not trudging to work everyday has been a gift. (Temporary….yes I will be going back to work full-time soon.)

So I spent the time leading up to my birthday gardening, reading and walking around our area especially along the Vedder River.  Also, during this time I took care of the cats next door while the neighbours had a fabulous vacation in Hawaii.  I asked them to see if they could find some Hawaiian tea and did they ever deliver with 5 different types!  So this got me thinking about my actual birthday and what to do….I decided on a Hawaii Themed Tea.  Having days free meant I could hold the tea during the afternoon.  My plan was in place until I got a cold, even now it is only suppressed with gel caps!  Then my parents got called out-of-town for a family emergency so they could not attend.  Being under the weather I scaled back how much company to have as I did not really feel up to a full house.

Keeping with the Hawaii theme, my cousin and I each wore a dress our Grandma Chapman wore on her many trips to the islands in the 1970’s.  My cousin’s dress was stunning!  Long and kind of fanned out in the back.  Me, being chubbier, ( that’s putting it nicely), I did not fit into my dress!  So I altered it into an apron, I changed the design very little by keeping the front details.  All the other guests wore Hawaiian leis around their necks.  We drank tea and reminisced about how funny it would be if our deceased relatives could see us in our get-ups!  My aunt gave me a gorgeous Firestone bracelet that my father gave her when she turned 18, I will always cherish it’s meaning.

With the Hawaii teas I had a tiered plate of treats, some little finger foods, fruit, cheese and a bouquet of flowers from the garden completed the table.  It was a fun afternoon reminiscing and drinking tea…a perfect way to say hello 50’s and good-by 40’s!!!!

I think I need another gel cap!

Thank you to everyone who sent cards and wishes for my 50th birthday, i am touched and very blessed.

Pinkie’s Up!