The mandolin. Strung, tuned and ready.
Built by Lon and midwifed by her fairygodmother Lis. We all cried.
Happy tears. How often do you get a gift which is going to change your life and which you will have and use for your entire life? Not so often.
Brother Lon, Brother Glen.
Owen. Destroying the kitchen while his mama and I got ready for the party.
He is NOT a part of tea party movement. He just loves tea bags. To play with.
Jessie and Riley (her cousin) and my mother whose birthday it is today too.
Okay. Another one. This one with Kian in it. Kian is Riley's brother. They both adore Jessie. And if you click, you can see Pearl. Sweet old Pearl.
Yeah. It was a good day. And the kids? Cleaned up the kitchen.
As I have said so many times before- I am the luckiest woman in the world.
Night, y'all.
pretty shirt on you.
ReplyDeletei love the way jessie and your mom are looking at each other.
and the glow of the candles and sweet ol Pearl mesmerized by it, which reminded me of your other post about her going toward the light, and makes me teary and missing my Casey.
Looks like a fun party.
Owen with the tea bag in his mouth!
Glad the kids did the dishes, but I see what you did for them on the table. I'm not saying anything though. Shhhh.
Home now and I came straight here because I knew that I would see the party and read about our girl. Oh! How I wish I'd been there! My heart was, because you are all my heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gathering and amazing
ReplyDeletemandolin!
A.
Hard to believe how much Owen and Jessy look alike. They must be family!
ReplyDeleteThat mandolin is a piece of art. Love the shine on the wood and the curves. It's true, it's not often one gets a present that stays the rest of one's life...
Serene candle shots. It looked like a great day...
Twas a grand night for singing,
ReplyDeleteThe moon was flying high,
And somewhere a bird
Who was bound she'll be heard,
Was throwing her heart at the sky!
(adapted from "State Fair" by Rodgers & Hammerstein
Masterly crafted mandolin, dear friends, Two Cakes...Happy, Happy; Joy, Joy!!
And the O-boy with his tea bag = bag 'o' grins.
Kisses... N2
Such a lovely birthday party! I can hear the frogs and crickets croaking lovingly to the sound of that mandolin when she gets plucking. Can't wait for a video/audio of her playing. I checked out your daughter's blog and really enjoy her playing the banjo.
ReplyDeleteAnd Owen exploring what a tea bag must taste like. He's so cute!
That is the gift of a lifetime. I'm no musician, but I see how Bruce feels about his guitars and Ty feels about his cello and I get how an instrument can be loved and cherished like a child or a lover
ReplyDeleteAnd to be hand made by her fairy god parents...
wow
and owen... well
xoxoxo
What a beautiful mandolin. It is something else to see the wood on that instrument. Thanks for sharing the photos. It looks like a happy time.
ReplyDeleteBethany- The children were amazing! Lily said, "We have to clean up or your blog people will hate us." Or something like that. Ha!
ReplyDeleteMay- Your heart WAS truly here. But we missed you anyway. Love you, baby.
Anonymous- Yes and yes.
Photocat- A good day for pictures and for family.
N2- Aren't we so lucky?
Aden- I think there's going to be some amazing music coming from Jessie and her mandolin. Yes. I do.
Michelle- Thank god for the musicians and the instruments they play. Next lifetime I want to be one of them. If I believed in that stuff, of course.
Syd- Yes. That wood is amazing.
Oh Mary, that mandolin is the most beautiful thing outside of your family and friends! Lon and Lis truly are fairy godparents.
ReplyDeleteI smiled at your comment on Hill Country Mysteries - the Sweet Retreat post. You're right. Our part of the world and yours seem a lot alike. Quirky and alive, with unexpected beauties. I'm hoping to make it to your area sometime in the next couple of years to soak up the atmosphere you share.
Happy birthday to your sweet girl! What an amazing gift--a handmade mandolin. Stunning. Happy birthing day to you (a bit late) as well!
ReplyDeleteYay! Hell of a time. Silly Owen, fighting sleep all night.
ReplyDeleteGood lord -Owen looks different in every picture I see of him! Growing fast.
ReplyDeletewhat a fine looking day!
ReplyDeleteowen looks darling, as usual.
and i love your shirt!
Just how many candles did you put on that cake? Looks like enough for both birthday girls! Love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful mandolin. The wood is simply gorgeous. Looks like it was a great party.
ReplyDeleteshe looks absolutely overjoyed!
ReplyDeleteJessie's mandolin is lovely. A real work of art.
ReplyDeleteOf course I clicked the picture, I had to see PEARL! I think that old bitch wanted a piece of the birthday cake. She's damn old enough she should have some damn cake if she wants it.
Love,
SB
I let her munch on my pizza crust.
ReplyDeleteGlad y'all had such fun.
ReplyDelete