Birthday Celebrations

Another birthday has been logged into the book of time!   My actual birthday was last Saturday, my first day back to work at The Whitney.  I worked the two seatings and got home shortly after 4:00 p.m.  I was tired, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be after being off work since the shutdown last November.  

I came home to a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my hubby, along with a beautiful card and gift card at Macy's.  My daughter and son-in-law were there also with a yummy carrot birthday cake, and Hobby Lobby gift card.

I worked again on Sunday to make sure the new 'Mansion Tea' was running smoothly, and came home to an empty house since my hubby was in Chelsea watching the Super Bowl game with our son and his family.  I didn't mind the solitude because after two back to back long days I was one tired tea lady!

Yesterday I wasted no time going to Hobby Lobby to spend my gift card.  I got four dinner plates, four salad plates, and four cups and saucers in the leopard [or cheetah ?] pattern that will go perfectly with my teapot from Africa.  The dishes were on sale 40% off, and my hubby paid the difference.  They're the perfect dishes to go with my new charcuterie board. I'm thinking I need to go back and get at least two more place settings.

I'm having fun putting the finishing touches on each place setting.  I searched online for animal print flatware to no avail, but found some bamboo flatware that will go nicely with it.  I ordered Tortoise Shell wine glasses from Overstock.  We don't drink wine, but the reviews said they were large and heavy enough to be used as water goblets.

I'm trying to decide between two leopard print ice buckets to be used as a container for a floral centerpiece, and I think I'll go with black chargers.  I've got to purchase a leopard print table runner and napkins yet and that should do it.  I think I'll get a lot of use out of this tablescape because it's gender neutral and not formal, delicate or frou-frou.  Guys can enjoy it as well as ladies.  

Our daughter and son-in-law treated us to dinner at Olive Garden last night.  I ordered Chicken Parmesan.  My first time eating in a restaurant since they were forced to shut-down last November.  We had a lovely evening together.

I cut my complimentary birthday dessert into four pieces to share with everyone - yummy Brownie Lasagna.

  

We're meeting our son, Steve, and daughter-in-law, Sharon, for a second birthday dinner at a Mexican restaurant today.  More celebration pictures to come...