Monday, April 26, 2010

It’s a Party!

“Omigosh, Sally!” I exclaimed. “I’m so happy to see you!”

“How did you, Jill, and your Mom enjoy your trip? Sally asked.

“Omigosh,” I answered. “It was a whirlwind, but wonderful! Nothing like being able to celebrate our oldest granddaughter’s sixth birthday with her.”

“You’ve told me before,” replied Sally, “that her mother is extremely talented at creating special parties for Kayti.”

“Yes,” I smiled, “And this was no exception. Kayti loves music, peace signs, and girly things. So, the theme was Miss Kayti’s Rock and Roll Day Spa Birthday Party. The 17 girls got mini robes when they arrived, flip flops, and sat down in rows to first play Musical Toes.”

“Whatever is that?” asked Sally.

“The music begins, and each girl passes a bottle of nail polish to the girl next to her. When the music stops, each girl paints one of her toe nails. Needless to say, everyone’s toes were colorful and fun when the game was done!” I said.

“Well, what else did they do to top that?” Sally continued.

“They had canvas bags to decorate with their names using foamy stick on letters, and added other shapes such as musical notes, guitars, stars, and more. Then they each made a name bracelet with added colorful beads. And there were three stations: nails, makeup, and hair. With nails polished, they moved to the hair stations where they got brightly colored feathery pony tail holders and neon hair extensions clipped to their hair, and then to makeup for eye shadow, lipstick, and face painting – again with a rock and roll theme.”

“My goodness,” said Sally. “They must have been so excited!”

“Oh, it was so much fun, I can’t tell you!” I replied. “They ate a bit of lunch during the middle of the party time. Then they each had a picture taken holding a blue inflatable rock ‘n roll guitar. And to top it off, Kayti came up to me and said, ‘I just told my Mom we are going to have a fashion show!’ That wasn’t part of the original plan, but that was the last activity before singing happy birthday and eating cupcakes. The girls lined up (the party was in the clubhouse where they live) in an adjacent area, and came out one at a time, posed, and had another picture taken. All the parents had stayed, and so the girls had a great audience with lots of applause.”

“That sounds like so much fun,” Sally said. “And, also, that Kayti may be following in her mother’s footsteps with party ideas since she decided on the fashion show!”

“Oh, it was,” I smiled. “And no doubt she is because she is a very creative young lady, too. But, the best part was that Kayti whispered to her Mom shortly after the party began, ‘Thank you, Mom. This is the best party ever!”

“So, are things calming down for awhile for you now?” queried Sally.

“Not a chance,” I said. “This time of year our family has multiple birthdays to celebrate, plus Mother’s Day and Father’s Day! So, you and are I going shopping for some gift ideas……for kids, men, women, and pets and pet lovers!”

“Can’t wait,” smiled Sally. “I love shopping with the Boomers and Beyond Team and their wonderful creations!”

For the kids…..

theslipstitch4-26

http://www.theslipstich.etsy.com/

stitchesbyjulie4-26

http://www.stitchesbyjulie.etsy.com/

lilbabythangs4-26

http://www.lilbabythangs.etsy.com/

kimbuktu4-26

http://www.kimbuktu.etsy.com/

bytheby4-26

http://www.bytheby.etsy.com/

blazingneedles4-26

http://www.blazingneedles.etsy.com/

For the guys…..

scottieacres4-26

http://www.scottieacres.etsy.com/

nightskyjewelry4-26

http://www.nightskyjewelry.etsy.com/

jnoriginals 4-26

http://www.jnoriginals.etsy.com/

fantasycreations1 4-26

http://www.fantasycreations.etsy.com/

buttondivas4-26

http://www.buttondivas.etsy.com/

ajscountrycottage4-26

http://www.ajscountrycottage.etsy.com/

attackofthevintage4-26

http://www.attackofthevintage.etsy.com/

susanelkin

http://www.susanelkin.etsy.com/

For the gals…..

vanfleetstreetdesign

http://www.vanfleetstreetdesigns.etsy.com/

pfdoriginalartworks

http://www.pfdoriginalartworks.etsy.com/

imaginuity 4-26

http://www.imaginuity.etsy.com/

six sisters

http://www.sixsisters.etsy.com/

mysticsilks4-26

http://www.mysticsilks.etsy.com/

birose4-26

http://www.birose.etsy.com/

circleinthesand 4-26

http://www.circleinthesand.etsy.com/

Katzskreations

http://www.katzskreations.com/

chris1

http://www.chris1.etsy.com/

altheap4-26

http://www.altheap.etsy.com/

theclaycenter4-26

http://www.theclaycenter.etsy.com/

For pet lovers…..

nonnie62 4-26

http://www.nonnie62.etsy.com/

dianeclancy 4-26

http://www.dianeclancy.etsy.com/

yarrow1

http://www.yarrow1.etsy.com/

backroomtreasures

http://www.backroomtreasures.etsy.com/

Fabulous, as always,” sighed Sally.

Friday, April 23, 2010

St George for England!!!!!

St. George's Day is on 23 April. It is England's national day.

Who was St George?

St. George is the patron saint of England. His emblem, a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. St George's emblem was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king's soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in battle.    image

Like England, every country within the United Kingdom has its own patron saint who in times of great peril is called upon to help save the country from its enemies. For instant, Wales has St David, St Patrick for Northern Ireland and St Andrew for Scotland.

Who was the real St George and what did he do to become England's patron saint?

St. George was born in Turkey sometime in the third century. At the age of seventeen he joined the Roman army and became renowned for his bravery and feats of arms. The most famous story of St. George is that he slew a Dragon somewhere in Libya. On one of his missions, St. George was sent to England. While in England he heard about the horrible persecutions of Christians in Rome. Returning to Rome, George pleaded for mercy for the Christians, but in the end was himself beheaded when he refused to renounce his faith. In 1222 AD, the Council of Oxford declared St. George as the Patron Saint of England (replacing Edward the Confessor).

St George is always depicted as a knight carrying a shield with a red cross (or a banner with a red cross), generally sitting upon a horse and always killing a dragon.  image

How does England celebrate St George's Day?

By tradition, 23 April is the day for a red rose in the button hole, the national flower. However, unlike other countries, England does not celebrate it like Americans celebrate 4 July with fireworks. In fact, you are more likely to see big St Patrick parades in England celebrating Ireland's National Day, more than you would see any sign of St Georges Day being celebrated.

For most people in England St George's Day is just another ordinary working day.

Factoid!

Shakespeare was born on 23 April 1564 and he died on the same day in 1616.

Whilst not all of the following, strictly speaking, have much to do with St George and the Dragon you will have to admit they do have something to do with dragons!

image Pink Dragon Silk Scarf by AltheaP

image New Dragon’s Blood Soap by AJs Country Cottage

image

Sewing Pattern – Little Fairytale Dragon by Fantasy Creations

imageVintage St George and the Dragon by Nonnie’s Treasures

imageRed Vintage Dragon by  ByTheWayside

Like what you see?  Why not ‘pop’ over to see other fantastic items from the BBEST Team on Etsy!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

R is for.....


A beautiful bunch from Susan Elkin




Raspberry?  Whatever your tipple