In Celebration of a Birthday

Because my daughter loves details, because it was her 18th birthday and because I had the time and inclination, I started dipping things in chocolate. 

Oreos. Spoons.

Pretzels.

Marshmallows.

I then packaged those things.

Sparkly, girly...

Made a banner. 

My daughter went to eat with some of her best girlfriends and returned to this surprise.

A table to celebrate and delight her.

Candies and cookies to send home with her friends.

I am not sure who it pleased more, her or me.

Pretty sure it was me...

18 Cakes

It took 18 years for me to make this album.

It is my daughter's story of birthday cakes over the years until this one, her 18th birthday.

I will share a few pages here.

I used all the invitations that I found in a box I moved out of mother's house.

I also found a note mother left me. She knew I would be the last person to go through her things.

I have cried, smiled, laughed, cried...

That's what it's like to raise a healthy child that lives to celebrate all these birthdays.

I realize I am lucky.

Yet, there are clouds that pass over and tell me she is leaving.

And I grieve that.

And everything is going like it's supposed to.

And I celebrate that.

Suz said she has room in her heart for sadness, its the depression that she doesn't want to fall into to. I get that.

And, so, there is happiness and there is sadness, like most beautiful stories...

Reverb11

I bought the cutest journals from Jackie Peters at Glitter Market. Everything I make I also buy and that's how I have more! of everything! Even though more never simplifies I do try to use (not just hoard) what I have these days. Ergo Reverb11. It is a December daily journal prompt from Hope Wallace over at Besottment. Her journals are hand lettered and Victorian and fresh all at the same time.

I am joining in using one of my new Jackie journals.

And I am too busy and I have no time and blah, blah blah, but I love the idea of wrapping up the year with this kind of journal. Hope's prompts are reflections over this year, not just about the Holiday season. Especially this year when I lost mother, and Allie is on her way out the door, I really want to record the view from here.

And just in case you are a school supply nerd like me...the pen I am using is the Uni-ball Signo Premier 207. It's a gel roller ball pen that I LOVE using on paper. I never have loved gel pens but this one is somehow just so good on these cardstocks and such. I prefer the Uni-ball Premier Jetstream which is a hybrid ink that is quick drying and waterproof over a painted page. I use it in my art journal I started as part of the Brave Girls Soul Restoration workshop.

And in case you are an atomic nerd for pens, the reviews on Amazon.com are very serious. I read them and roll my eyes at "these" people and then I keep reading...