Partaaaay En Francais!

No party would be complete without music and dancing - 

I LOVE to dance - all night!!

In the evening a friend of Marie's did the most fabulous DJ mix of 

French & English music.

Flashing lights & smoke featured!

Flying the flag!

Such a great buy this dress - love it (& Marie's)!

Visit again soon!

XX

En Francais

So, I escaped to France for a few days to celebrate my friends 50th birthday

 (hard to believe friends are turning 50 - just WOW)!

They live in a beautiful part of France, 68 miles South of Paris called Villemandeur, near Montargis a really pretty medieval town,  with canals, bridges and rivers to cycle :-)

I spent the days cycling, socialising & mooching around the garden which is gorgeous & so bountiful it deserves it's own post later!

& of course eating and drinking....

 Lots of small details were added to the birthday marquee. 

The main course was cooked by a Chef in the garden - seafood Paella.

Everyone was given a job to do.......I was on desert course with 3 others, we collected the plates and 'dished up' handed out to all guests, cleared away and washed up - what a fabulous idea!

Beautiful napkins.

 

Floral touches, courtesy of moi!

 

Glasses were decorated with gold & silver pens & used as table settings!

Canapés & champagne to start.

& this....I have no idea what it is but it was yum - and what a beautiful container!

I know it contained Cointreau, Blue Curacao and possibly Rum!!

We played games - one of which you were given a number. 

The men then came out carrying a chicken with a number round it's neck -

 this was mine....

As a team we had to 'herd' our chicken back to the coop

 without actually touching it with HANDS!

Ahem.....

Before entering the marquee to be seated everyone had the chance to sit here to make a card

 which you then hung inside, cute idea!

Marie's birthday chair!

Beautiful!

& The Birthday Girl Herself!

No party is complete without dancing - 

More to follow...

XX

Always Smiling........

That's me. 

But sometimes it is so hard.

Especially when you have a knot as big as a fist in your stomach. 

A pain in your chest.

And cry lots.

You go to work and smile saying "Morning everyone - yeah its me - here with my big smile!"

When you feel sad and worried for someone who shares your blood, scared for their future, 

for their hopes and dreams and wondering if they will overcome the 

challenges life is throwing at them at this moment.

And you love them so very much, but that is not enough.

 You wish you could make everything better.

Make it right.

That's been me for the past few months.

And this blog helps. It is so cathartic.

Bright & breezy (I hope). 

It re-energises me. I don't know why.

I went to France as much for my mind as for Marie's birthday.

 I knew she would listen and say "NO! Look at it this way".

 She helped me sort my head out. A bit.

And now I am home. And there is some improvement in this person I love so very much. 

The sun is starting to shine again.

Please stay I say!

XX