it's official

This past weekend I managed to tick number 6 off my New Years resolutions list; Throw myself a giant birthday party! (Which is why I’ve been absent for so long and missed last week’s illo. Not that it was so giant and "rock-star" that it lasted an entire week, but there were many preparations to be sorted).

Saturday night I threw a 20’s send-off party. A hoedown to be precise, a hootenanny to end them all, it was the best by far the most fun birthday I’ve ever had.

It started with a bunch of my closest friends coming to our house for a champagne reception around an outdoor fire in the backyard. Then we all climbed into a little bus I had chartered and were driven to a winery in the countryside about an hour away. We were greeted by pungent country smells, wide open space, billions of stars and some members of my family, and were soon all enjoying a wine tasting. From there we walked down the lane to the woolshed (with open fireplaces) where we had a yummy 3 course meal to the sounds of a live bushband. We ate cake that my mum made and decorated to match the theme (and some peoples outfits) of the night. I love cake! The night climaxed with an all-in bush dance! It had us all thigh slappin’, partner swingen’, do-si-do, and toe tappin’ the night away. I haven’t had so much rootin’tootin’ silly, high spirited fun in ages. I’m still buzzing.

Today is my actual birthday, and I am now officially 30 years old. So far it’s not too bad at all. Mr You made me a big cooked breakfast, at work my boss bought me a lovely pot plant and there was another birthday cake. I then had the afternoon off to spend pottering around the city with Mr You. We tried to go to an art gallery but it was closed, so we ended up on a touristy harbour cruise which made us feel like we’d gone travelling for the day.
Just had Portuguese for dinner and came home to a bunch of flowers waiting on the doorstep, sent from my Dad who is in Ireland.

I was given so many lovely cards and wonderful gifts, I’m still beaming. I’ll endeavour to share some of them with you soon. For now I’m off to enjoy the last few hours of a day that has whizzed by far too quickly. Good night.