Wednesday 6 April 2011

The best of times

My long awaited birthday lunch finally took place on Sunday. A happy coincidence was that here in the UK it was also Mother's Day. 31 of my family and friends met together at a hotel in Epsom and the occasion was absolutely everything and more I had wanted it to be. As with many families as the years go by it gets harder and harder to all meet in the same place at the same time.  I had sent save the date cards such a long time ago but it was worth it as everyone was able to come.
The hotel served my lunch in the restaurant, we had sole use of it for the afternoon.
This was how the room had been set up. It looked perfect and with the sun streaming in through the windows it could not have looked better.

I had also ordered some flower arrangements to decorate the tables. The theme was spring and the florists produced some beautiful displays.


 I had also made butterfly place names which showed everyone where to sit.Next to each place was a little organza gift bag containing a handmade gift from me.

My dear Hb had a cake made for me and it was decorated with yellow icing with blue and yellow icing flowers. There was even a balloon for me which my daughter set at the head of the table.

We enjoyed a fabulous 3 course lunch after which I blew out my birthday candles and cut my cake. It was served with tea and coffee in the lounge. Some of my family I had not seen for 10 years so there was lots of laughter and chatter. It is amazing how quickly the years can disappear.

Some time ago I gave a little hint of the little gift I had planned and I can now reveal all. I decided that a perfect hand made present would be to make bag charms for the ladies and key rings for the men.
One of my talented lampworkers make me one of a kind glass footballs for most of the men.






I also had a keyboard made for my future son-in-law, a guitar for my son and hammers for my Dad and another friend. I added themed charms to make some really fun key rings.










 For the ladies I used an assortment of one of a kind. glass lampwork beads.





Some were flowers, some pretty colours and I again added complementing charms to made individual bag charms. One of my dear cousins came over straight away with her bag charm on her bag, she could not believe that I had used brown beads for hers as she actually had  a brown bag -  a perfect match.















The sun shone, everyone chatted and caught up with all the news and we enjoyed a wonderful meal...... and I finished celebrating a most memorable 50th birthday.








This was the view I had from our round table. I sat up at the end of the table with my Hb,children and their other halves. The setting was small enough though to be able to chat easily. It was a very noisy, happy lunch!


Thank you again to all my blogging friends here for all your kind birthday wishes. I have really appreciated them. I am not sure when I am going to update my profile from calling myself 40 something..perhaps next year ;0), perhaps never!  As everyone keeps reminding me, it's only a number.

I am indeed very blessed and it really was the best of times!

Bye for now,

Jane x

16 comments:

  1. Hi Jane! Oh, what a beautiful way to celebrate! You are so kind and generous to treat your guests with the special gifts that you shared. I'm sure they'll treasure your creations and the memory of your special day almost as much as they do you! This post made me smile today- Thanks for sharing! :o)

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  2. Thanks Michele. We had such a wonderful day, it really was a day of great joy and happiness.
    I'm so glad I made you smile today too :0)
    Jane x

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  3. Jane what a fantastic celebrate you had. So sweet and special for you to have made such wonderful keepsakes for everyone!!!!! All the keychains, charms and vintage glass beads were beautiful. Such a lovely memory for all of you. Again Happy 50th!! xoRobin❤

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  4. Indeed I have some great memories Robin. Thanks for your kind wishes
    Jane x

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  5. It looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time Jane. A family reunion as well as a birthday party. The little gifts for your guests were beautiful and what a gorgeous cake.
    Definitely a day to fondly remember!
    As for the profile, my advice would be to remove all numbers and forget all about them. ;)
    Vivienne x

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  6. Dear Jane,

    The party seems so you, with flowers, butterflies, sunshine and happy peope gathered together! And lovely little gifts, perfect for each receiver! Birthday at its best!

    Happy week and sunny greetings from Finland again!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  7. Thanks Vivienne, it was such a special family reunion. I was so pleased to get a cake, it was made by our baker Markus! My husband said exactly the same about my profile ;0)
    Jane x

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  8. Hi Mia, it was a whole weekend of perfect celebrations and the sun is still shining now..it's been 22oc today and more to come.
    Sending some sunshine to you too,
    Jane x

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  9. Dear Jane, your day looks wonderful! You had organized everything so well and the presents you made are so unique and beautiful! I'm sure you and your family and friends had unforgetable day!
    Thank you for having us with you!
    Love Teje

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  10. It has been great to share all this with you Teje! A very unforgettable birthday.
    Jane x

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  11. *H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* again to a great blog friend - I would have loved to hear all the chattering at your party! My bd is coming up at the end of the month, hubby and I have booked a seaside spot for our trailer for 3 nights! :-)

    Hugs from Oregon, USA -- Teresa :-)

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  12. Thanks Teresa...it was a VERY happy, noisy lunch...I am surprised you did not hear us across the pond! Have a fab bday at the end of the month, the weather here at the moment is just glorious!
    Jane x

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  13. Wooooot wooot! What a beautiful setting and gorgeous flowers..I am so impressed with the lampbeadwork and all of the details..how wonderful! Happy Birthday..you really had a fine celebration and I can just hear all of the happy chatting now. Thank you for sharing this with us!

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  14. It was pretty noisy Shirley, a very special occasion for us all!
    Jane x

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  15. It looks like a spectacular event, and your beaded gifts are just gorgeous! Kind of makes me feel like I'm supposed to do something special for my 50th this year, but I think I'll just bask in your afterglow :)

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  16. Linda I highly recommend a 50th celebration , it was such a joyous time and will be a fab memory for us all!Meanwhile enjoy the bask :0)
    Jane x

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Jane x