A very special gift ~ Fantastic Mr. Fox for a Munchkin's 7th Birthday

Back in early December my lovely, creative, talented,

Artist & Orthodox friend Ira, wife, mother and owner of this

lovely etsy store,

posted a Fantastic Mr. Fox that she had

for sale via her etsy store.

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Now the munchkin who I love and had over

last summer and other times, 

loves the book, Fantastic Mr. Fox.

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I soon realized I had a great gift for him for his birthday.

So, as the (church) Aunt Elizabeth that I am,

this lovely lovely plush velvet Fantastic Mr. Fox 

was bought and shipped.

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Yesterday we had a birthday party for 

this munchkin who is now 7.

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The first present he got was a really neat

playmobil Roman soldier with a chariot and 4 horses

from another dear friend.

Then he got a book that I had for him

since August, signed and waiting for him!

And then the icon of Christ the Good Shepherd that 

is his favourite,

and then the green and white pillow that was

the first thing I made with my sewing machine,

the machine that came the day that our munchkin was visiting;

he was so excited about it and urged me to open the 

box so he could see the sewing machine. :)

He hugged the little pillow immediately and 

understood that it was a special hugging comfort pillow. 

I was so so glad.

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And then he opened the biggest box of all:

Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Ira made a card for him that he and his Mom read together,

Fantastic Mr. Fox's bow got rearranged courtesy of his Mom

and I heard late last night that Mr. Fox with this loved Munchkin

as he slept.  

It was a very good 7th birthday party

and all of us are so glad.

Birthday Party for a Dear Friend

After vespers we went to a Greek restaurant

downtown.

I and my birthday-friend both had moussaka.

We split a bottle of red wine made on

Mt. Athos,

bottled in Thessaloniki.

It was a really lovely meal.

I had my place ready and waiting for everyone

(this is actual a feat as my friends

come and help me with my dinner parties

and then we dine together :) ).

The yellow cake with chocolate frosting

was a bit lope-sided as one of the cakes

baked unevenly.

But it tasted great!

Used real butter to make the frosting.

We also had a chai herbal tea

and licorice spice.

Little cookies on my tea tray.

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A wooden flute, violin and guitar were played.

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We sang a rousing Happy Birthday with

instruments accompanying it.

It was so lovely to create beauty for my friend.

We can make beauty out of ashes

with God's help

and I was so glad to have this opportunity.

Saturday in late October

Still sorting through the fact that

I am job searching again.

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I had a lovely time last night with dear friends

and we asked the prayers of

St. Menas

together. It was very consoling.

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I am seeking to remember how blessed I am

and to practice thanksgiving.

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I am very happy to be preparing for my friend's

birthday party that will be at my place!

The Ups and the Downs

This morning at work I got two "good job" emails. It was such a nice way to start on a Monday! Late in the afternoon, at work, I got a "What happened last week?" phone call. Apparently there was some sort of miscommunication that involves my work. Sigh. So it is, up and down.

Would appreciate prayers as these sorts of things scare me a little, even though I know it is just a misunderstanding of some sort. Add a bit of indirect communication and I find it even harder. Sigh Sigh, Sigh!

:)

However, it is quiet in my little home. Cleo is sitting on my dining room chair. I can see my St. George Icon and Lampada from where I am sitting (picture later, promise!).

I am hoping to set up more of my house soon - I have almost all my icons up (save ones I need to get backs for) and I have yet to have my hall way mirror up (it's almost more of a mini-hall-room than a hallway, actually), have my tall bookshelf to yet be assembled and some screw-in-to-the-wall shelves in my bedroom. Not to mention moving things in my living room. That and more decorations, spice racks and other things to be put up and all will be done. So . . . expect these pictures by May or June! Lord Willing!

Meanwhile, here are pictures from a lovely birthday party I was at recently for a very darling two year old.

The Cake. Was most satisfying.

One of the Cool Adults made this.

We had fun.