yesterday we had a party

brown-eyed-handsome-man and i drove to the farm.
we were joined by sister bird and her hunter hubby,
their attorney son, and our brother.
it was dad's 83rd birthday so we celebrated.
since he loves fried chicken, legs especially,
and mashed potatoes and gravy it was just easier
to stop at KFC on the way.

sister bird made the cake.
it's very famous in our family...and was always
brought to family gatherings by the baker,
one of dad's sisters...maudie.
so now of course it is officially
"aunt maudies chocolate cake."

it is VERY  tasty. wish you all could have had some.
there wasn't much left after we all had seconds.
: )

earlier in the week i called him to say we would 
be partying at his home, just in case he might have plans. :)
he asked me...
"should i dust?"
i chuckled..." well you can if you want. or we can write
greetings in it."
the next day bird called him.
they discussed him dusting.
on my way to work friday i called 
my birthday greetings in to dad.
then i asked
" did you dust?"
"no. but i might yet."


and so did he dust?
i have no idea...i forgot to look.


he did enjoy family being there and the cards.
we giggled about the one the post office had mangled,
and his hoops and yoyo singing card. 

we reminisced about the corn cob jelly the folks 
used to make and the rose petal jelly.
it was made with the old fashioned yellow roses.
dad said.." you had to get them eaaarlly in the morning, 
when they smelled the best." 


my sister, brother and i went back to those
sweet days of memory and pulled a few more 
stories out. it was a good time. 
we talked of sleeping next door at our
grandmas house. who slept with her when.
they both remembered sleeping in the front bedroom
during the winter when you could look out the door into
the living room and see the big old gas furnace,
watch the fire patterns dancing on the walls,
and listen to the lullaby of old stove sounds.
a memory of comfort for certain.
brother even remembers sleeping with our 
uncle ernie in his bed, just because he could,
and has wondered many years since just 
exactly what that old bachelor uncle thought of that.
we giggled as we pondered that thought. 

we were blessed with a rich childhood.
many times of fun with dad's family
and adventures with our cousins. 


here's our folks in 1990 celebrating their
40th wedding anniversary with an
Alaskan cruise. 

the folks in 1949 before they were married

and here's the birthday boy with his cake from yesterday..

thanks, sandy, for the phone call. 
i know dad was pleased.
we talked about your daddy and the
years of combined parties too.


and then we all signed birthday cards for life long
friends of our folks. they sent dad a card and
he wanted to send them one.
but...we couldn't remember when 
their birthday's were. just when i was ready to 
call a daughter of theirs i got an idea that i
pitched to my poppa..
"well dad, you could go out to the cemetery and look
on their headstone for the dates."
(they have preplanned obviously)


dad was quiet and said
"that's what i thought i would do. i'll stop by ours, 
then drive over to their spot." 
"good idea pops."


and he did.
not only are we fun 
we are resourceful.