Ready, Set, March

I call him the ShamGnome on the shelf

And we are back.

January and February were chock-full of activities and experiences for us, and March is shaping up to be eventful too.

So I figure I should get you all caught up before this year melts away like the last one did.

Audrey brought the devotion at the first bridal shower

In addition to having about a tablespoonful of snowflakes hit the ground in January, we had wedding celebrations all month.

The actual nuptials took place on the last day of the month -- Friday, January 31st.

But we had bridal showers on the 11th, the 16th, and the 28th of the month.

There was an abundance of delicious food

The bride and groom and their families are all close and dear friends, so one of the showers was thrown by Audrey, Erica, and me.

But the first party was on January eleventh, and it was a proper big wedding shower with the gifts being for the setting-up of the couple's new home.

It was held at the home of our friend Debbie, who is a relative of the groom, and many ladies attended.

The lovely bride-to-be posed with her equally lovely mother

There was so much beautiful food and lots of excited chatter as is is to be expected when a bunch of girls get together.

Our Audrey was asked to bring a brief devotional message as the party got started.

Being a newlywed herself, she admitted that she had no advice to give on that score. But she did emphasize the necessity of gratitude being an essential component of any marriage.

I made these chicken salad sandwiches from a recipe that I wish you had

It was good. Anything having to do with gratitude is always worth hearing.

Several of us ladies were given scripture verses to read aloud from cards, which we all did before prayer and then the refreshments.

Later the bride-to-be opened her many presents and it was fun to see her delight at unearthing each new domestic treasure.

Our petit-fours were from the incomparable Tiffany's

Her second shower -- the one planned and given by my girls and me -- took place on the following Thursday. 

For our menu we had Lit'l Smokies in the crock pot with grape jelly and barbecue sauce, delectable homemade chicken salad sandwiches, Nancy's petite quiches hot from the oven, deviled eggs, cranberry-pistachio mini goat cheese balls (which I made and will never make again), orange fluff, petit-fours from Tiffany's, and a vanilla strawberry trifle made by our Erica.

Everyone gathered at Audrey's house, which had been lovingly prepared by Mike, Audrey, and Dagny, for everyone's comfort.

The petit-fours we served at our bath luxuries shower

Our party's theme was bath luxuries. The bride-to-be was showered with fragrance, lotions, bubbles, cosmetics, and beauty aids of all kinds. She will not have to buy soap for a long time. She was so happy and the event was a great success.

There was one more shower for her, but our next party was for TG's birthday.

We opted for a baked potato bar for our meal, and a Costco cheesecake with fresh strawberries for our dessert.

Erica's cream-and-fruit trifle is her specialty

The baked potatoes were the football-sized kind, and I baked them in the oven without foil jackets. They were rubbed with olive oil and studded with coarse Kosher salt, and they were perfection.

For toppings we had the usual butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, and real bacon. We also had chili and for a cold winter evening, it was a hearty and comforting meal.

TG had gone to the store for me and found beautiful strawberries, and lots of them, and they were heavenly spooned generously atop the plain but rich, creamy cheesecake.

There was pink and gold decor for the lingerie shower

For his gift, our children had bought their dad his own AirPods Pro. He needed them because he enjoys watching news shows and videos on his iPad at night, and I noticed he was having to turn the volume up to the point that it was too loud. For me.

Now he can pop in his AirPods and crank up the sound as loud as he likes without bothering anyone. It's a win all around.

A few days later was the final bridal shower, which was a smaller event and involved lingerie.

These baked potatoes were huge

Enough said except, it was a charming evening.

Then a mere three days later it was time for the wedding, held at a rural venue with a rustic chapel for the ceremony, and a capacious hall for the dinner reception.

Audrey, Erica, and I all served at the dinner. We arrived at the location in the early afternoon and were busy all the way up to time to change for the wedding, with preparations for serving the meal.

TG requested chili as a baked-potato topping

The dress code was black for all guests, which was no problem for us as we all have several black dresses. You might say that black is my dress code seventy-five percent of the time. Pirate!

The bride was gorgeous and everyone so happy, although towards the end of the evening there was torrential rain. We got home late and were pretty worn out, but the next day was Saturday which afforded time to rest.

Then it was February.

We had toppings galore for those potatoes

During the first week of the month, my sister, Kay, traveled to Cleveland to be with her youngest daughter, Joanna, for the birth of Joanna's fourth child. 

You may recall that TG and I visited Joanna and her husband, Jacob, in Cleveland last summer. We combined our visit with seeing our beloved Cubs play the Cleveland Guardians Indians at Progressive Field.

Joanna and Jacob have one son in heaven, and now three little sons around them.

You could have all the butter you wanted

They named their newborn son Arthur. Baby Arthur, born on 2/5/2025, is my sister and brother-in-law's 25th grandchild.

I sent Baby Arthur a soft and spacious blue blanket and wrote him a note so that he can get used to the idea of having a pirate for a great-aunt.

Speaking of boys born in February, the weekend before last we all went to Lenoir, North Carolina, for our grandson Andrew's birthday.

My January decor tends to be minimal

He turned thirteen on February twenty-second.

And here is that numbers thing again: Andrew was born on 2/22/2012, at 2:13 in the afternoon.

The dour lady doctor who delivered both Allissa in 2008 and Andrew four years later, never really took to me. I have no idea why.

But we did have the softly-lit bare-branch trees

But I didn't let that stop me from asking whether she could see her way clear to making Andrew's time of birth one minute earlier so that we could say he was born on 2/22/12 at 2:12 in the afternoon. A reasonable request, in my estimation.

She just shook her head no. Classic killjoy.

So on 2/22/2025, he turned thirteen and we were all on hand to celebrate.

The girls and I posed up just before things got busy

Stephanie had planned a meal of burgers and we also had hot dogs and chips and baked beans and coleslaw and all of the requisite condiments and trimmings, plus a big birthday cake.

The family moved into a new-to-them house last September, and none of us had seen it yet in person, so it was nice to admire their new place and share in their happiness at having more room and a bigger yard.

We attended their church the next day, where our son-in-law Joel is the pastor, and it was a great blessing.

TG and I managed an epic shot too

Before TG and I and the Chericas and Audag (Audrey and Dagny only; our Mike was in Thailand) got on the road and headed for home, Stephanie and her family treated us all to lunch at Dairi-O.

Now, if you are like me, you have never heard of Dairi-O. They are only to be found in North Carolina.

But if you are ever in North Carolina and are hungry and see a Dairi-O sign? Trust me: pull over and drive up and go inside and have a hamburger.

The happy newlyweds

Truly great. I can't say enough about how good it was. Just excellent. I hope you get to experience Dairi-O someday just as much as I hope I get to experience it again someday.

Then it was back home, and the following Friday (last day of February) I had Rhett and Elliot with me for much of the day as Erica had some business to attend to.

We had such a good time. Elliot was sitting up on the counter as I made them some lunch, and he availed himself of several cooking utensils that he found nearby.

Baby Arthur, cozy in the blanket I sent him

(He is seventeen months old and has just begun to walk. No, he's fine; he was just enjoying being carried around by his mother. And he apparently was really into crawling.)

The next day --  last Saturday -- Dagny came over in the afternoon and spent the night with us. She helped me to change my table and kitchen and front-door decorations from February hearts and red things to March shamrocks and green things.

And so here we are in the first week of the third month of the new year which is not so new anymore.

Me with six of my grands, unfortunately in shadow

It's my birthday week! On Thursday, TG and I are setting out for three days and two nights in Charleston.

The girls plus Dagny, Rhett, and Elliot will join us there on Friday and spend one night.

Our plan is to take the ferry to Fort Sumter, something which, despite having lived in South Carolina for twenty-three years, I have never done.

Elliot a/k/a Skippy was helping out in the kitchen

We've got some special eating-out places chosen too, and I promise to take pictures and tell you all about it next week.

We have two more important birthdays coming up in March: Audrey's and Andrew's (our son), which are one week apart. I'll have lots of news about those events too.

Until then, I hope you're doing well and I promise I'll be around to visit your blog -- if you have one. If you don't, I wish you did.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Tuesday

Comments

[Ginny Hartzler]

The bride and groom are gorgeous! Oh my, you have been so busy! Happy birthday! This is my birthday week, also!! All of the food looks wonderful. The baby blanket is so luxurious and beautiful!!

[Jeanette]

So tell me what month of the year is not eventful for you? I figured you must be very busy throwing or attending epic parties to keep you away from us for so long! Looks like a couple of lovely showers for the beautiful bride! Happy Belated Birthday to TG and happy future birthday to you, my friend Have a wonderful time on your birthday trip!

[Lori]

Hello!!
What a spectacular couple of months you have had. It sounds like you've been so busy but in the best way. How awesome to have all of the themed showers. Congrat's to the gorgeous couple.
Happy Birthday my friend. I know your family will celebrate your day as well as you do for all of theirs. Can't wait to hear about your trip!! Big hugs!

[Jennifer]

@Ginny ... Ginny I never knew your birthday was in the same week as mine! Happy Birthday, friend! Isn't a March birthday wonderful? We have three in our family! Just such a lovely month, with spring coming. xoxo

@Jeanette ... I know, right? The months are all so busy, they go by in a blur! I don't know what we did before we had these phones to take pictures and keep a running photo diary! It changes one's perspective! But you know I do love a party, so there will be a birthday dinner on Friday night for sure, and I will insist on photographic evidence so that I can share it with you! xoxo

@Lori ... Hi dear friend, yes they have been spectacular months in more ways than one. I love having things to look forward to and now I am champing at the bit to start off on my birthday trip, hahaha! I hope it is all that I am dreaming of, as last year I made a few crucial mistakes on my birthday trip and I don't want to repeat that performance. Stay tuned! Love to you, TBG and Binx! xoxo

[Carla TePaske]

Ahoy Pirate... I am so happy to catch up with you today. :-) Happy Birthday to ALL!!!
Oh goodness me, the bride is beautiful. I am SO HAPPY people are getting married!! And having babies!!!
I LOVE that blanket, I want one... I need one... we woke to 10 inches of snow and wind. A true blizzard!
Carla

[Jennifer]

@Carla ... UGH I read that a "large swath" of America was going to get blasted with snow! I guess you're in the swath! Better you than me, hahaha!~ Seriously if you ever need cute personalized stuff, go online to Personalization Mall. I have used them several times and it's always good quality, fair prices, and fast delivery. Arthur lives in Cleveland so he needed something warm and snuggly too! I told him in his note, there is still a lot of winter left! Hahaha as if he does not have warm eager arms holding him 95% of the time~! I'm happy too, that decent kids are still getting married and that decent couples are still having babies. There is hope! Love ya girl xoxo

[Mari]

I was so happy to see a post from you! But you're forgiven for your absence because it's obvious that you have been very busy!
The showers all sound lovely. I like your idea of the little chicken salad sandwiches. We all like finger food, right? The goat cheese balls look good too, but they must have been difficult to make if you're never doing it again.
The bride and groom are stunning, but so are you and TG. I saved that photo - love it!
Little Arthur is adorable. I can't believe Kay has 25 grands!
I don't understand that doctor. I mean, who wouldn't take to you? And changing the birth time by a minute was a great idea!
Have a great time in Charleston. Fort Sumpter is a fun place to visit. There is a birthday card making it's way to you, but if you aren't home, it will be waiting for your return. :)

[Anvilcloud]

You have many parties and celebrations and a birthday coming too, so Happy Birthday to you. 🎉🎂

[Donna G]

So good to see your new post! That beautiful bride was certainly well fêted!
I must be a neighbor to Carla, as I got the same amount of heavy, wet, sno-blower clogging snow.
Happiest of birthdays to you, I hope your trip is all you wish for, and many blessings in the year ahead!

[Donna]

Twenty-Five grandchildren?? I'm jealous!! I'm going to have to tell our kids to get busy!! lol
Grandson Andrew is thirteen??? What?? How'd that happen?
We've been to Ft Sumter...such a reflective place...so much history...but brown...very brown...lol
And I actually put your birthday card in the post yesterday! It's been crazy aroung here lately when I remembered the date! It had sneaked up on me! lol Anyway, Hope it will be non-stop HAPPY!
And thank you babygirl for your sweet words...on my blog. I love you.
Happy weekend!
hugs
Donna

[Judee]

I am so excited to see all your wonderful photos of happy tines. You have a beautiful family and everyone is so photogenic. You got some amazing shots of the food too! As usual the babies steal the show ( so precious) - Glad you have been having a lot to celebrate.

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... I mean it's a matter of taste but these are my favorite chicken salad sandwiches of all time. I came by the insanely easy recipe after having these sandwiches at one of Audrey's showers back in the fall, and the lady who made them sent the leftovers home with me and TG. Sooooo we could NOT stop eating them because they are so SOFT!!!!! You take canned chicken and drain it. Add DILL pickle pieces (I was able to find only dill relish but the pickle pieces are large-ish) ... then add your mayonnaise and seasonings and that is IT but the secret is to mix it with your hand mixer like you would mashed potatoes, haha! You just mix until it's all mixed up and then spread it on the softest white bread you can find and oh my word, it is chicken salad sandwich magic! Can't wait to see my card! Hahahhaaa xoxo

@AC ... Thank you my friend! Love to you and Sue! xoxo

@Donna G ... Were you in the swath? Ugh!!! If I lived in snow country I would be SO OVER it by now! But I'm hopeful that the worst is over for you by now! Thank you for your kind wishes! xoxo

@Donna ... Well my sister has seven children, hahaha! You are unbelievably thoughtful to remember my birthday every year with a card. I always look forward to it and know it instantly by your beautiful handwriting! So I wish I knew when YOUR birthday is! Please do share! We are looking forward to the ferry ride and touring Ft. Sumter tomorrow! oxo

@Judee ... Aren't the babies just wonderful? And the food too, hahaha! Happy March to you! xoxo

[Skunk (aka Mike Bay)]

A busy time and kudos to all the celebrants then and yet to come. Happy 2025.

[Dianna]

Hello Jenny! It's so good to see a post from you. I was away from blogging last week with bronchitis, but wanted to check today to see how you are doing. I can see that January and February were definitely busy months for you...and for your daughters. All of the food and decorations look so good!

I'm also wishing I had that chicken salad recipe. ~wink~ I love a good chicken salad!

Happy Birthday to you, sweet lady!

[debbi]

Hi there Jenny and HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Enjoyed the shower pictures and I am drooling over the food pictures, LOL. Cant wait to hear all about your birthday trip to Charleston, hope y'all had a wonderful time and had some good food, and made some pretty pictures. Hope you got the birthday email I sent ;you? I love that picture of y'all all dressed in your black dresses.....y'all look very elegant and glamourous! The one of you and TG on the stairs is real nice too. I love baby Arthur's new baby blanket, it looks so SOFT AND WARM! Andrew's birthday sounded great too. I also want to send belated condolences to your daughters family loss recently. Hope y'all are doing great and getting some nice spring weather! Lots of RAIN HERE. HUGS!

[Jennifer]

@MIke ... Thank you my friend, and the same to you! Love to Seymour xoxo

@Dianna ... Ugh bronchitis is the WORST! I know how long it takes to recover from that but I hope you are feeling much much better. I myself was hit with the FLU this past Sunday and I'm still under the weather. Good grief! It's been a long winter and I am so glad that spring is but days away! Happy March, my friend! xoxo

@Debbi ... YES how about that rain yesterday!!!! I love a rainy day but I was in bed with the flu all day. I'm so thankful that for my birthday trip to Charleston I felt fantastic and we had the most wonderful time! It was windy and chilly but not so much that it spoiled our fun. Wonderful food and beautiful hotel and great sights to see! I was so excited to go and now I have all of those wonderful memories and yes, some good pictures, which I will share soon! xoxo