Take one part bubbles + two parts cupcakes {preferably pink} + Princess Belle, party dresses and nail polish included + one part princess pinata…and you get one very happy-to-be-turning-4 little girl.
Last weekend was upside down crazy busy. And as much as I *loved each and every job, I’ve been upside down crazy busy with edits ever since. The upside to edits, however, being that I get to share the results with all two of you…two being the optimists guess at the number of people reading this blog {every bloggers fear}.
My Saturday started with one of my favorite events of the year, the Oregon Humane Society Doggie Dash. Last year they had over 4,000 participants of the two-legged kind…making it at least 8,000 total if I’m doing my dog-math correctly…and this year I believe they surpassed it, raising over $300,000 to benefit Oregon animals in need.
My next event of the day was a princess party, followed by an auction to benefit Ethiopian Orphan Relief. The thread of course being that despite the insanity of the day and corresponding mountain of edits, I was surrounded by people making other people {and pets} very happy.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
this next guy reminded me of Sgt. Floyd Pepper from Electric Mayhem…
and how can you NOT smile back….
There was lots of love in the room last Thursday at the Oregon Humane Society celebration of pet and people heroes, hosted at the historic Governor Hotel. With 350 attendees, they raised over $125,000 in less than an hour. And amongst the five Diamond Collar honorees, all of whom make amazing contributions on behalf of fuzzy faced friends, was one who really touched me. Maty, a three legged Australian shepherd, who once “worked” as a blood donor dog, but now [amongst other things] is a nanny dog to ferral kittens.
Hmm. I wonder if she can come help nanny my 3 year old and 7 year old kittens of the two legged variety.
Check out this link to read more about the event and the pets + people who were honored. And note that with the exception of Maty and Midnight, who were both recognized, all of the animals shown below are currently up for adoption at OHS! Speaking from personal experience, pets can make life-changing companions…and occasionally, nannies.
Under a blazing late September sun, five years to the day I did the same, Ben and Emily said ‘I do’ under a canopy of trees on the family farm. It was a uniquely beautiful wedding that drew on the many talents of family + friends. Emily’s mom designed the flowers. Her sister Amanda put together an incredible collection of mini bundt cakes, all displayed on a fabulous desert candelabra built by Ben’s brother. Ben’s sister Kathryn cooked up a host of fabulous appetizers. And friends pitched in with their music talents, roasting skills, as well as some tasty home brew dedicated to the bride + groom.
What a wonderful way to begin the rest of your life. What an honor to share an anniversary with two incredible people.
Catering: Cook With What You Have + Loustic Catering Cakes: Robots Love Cupcakes
We just spent the last two weeks traveling to the Greater Metropolitan of Minneapolis, a most fabulous city…in August. And in addition to the family farm in Earlham, Iowa, just west of Des Moines. My husband’s grandparents were celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary with a weekend of weenie roasts and ice cream socials with 250+ of their closest family + friends. For the entirety of their 70 years together, they’ve lived on and worked the same farm his grandfather grew up on. Pretty remarkable feat considering I’ve changed addresses 9 TIMES since my move to Portland in 1996.
I can’t imagine 70 years of my own company, let alone alongside the company of another. When Grandma Avis was asked what it takes to keep a love and marriage going, I overheard her response ”Well, sometimes one person has to give more than 50% and sometimes the other one has to give more. And that’s just how it goes.”
I hope I don’t have to wait another 65 years to get all the people I love into one room. I also hope I have the fortune of finding my own answers to life + love in one simple sentiment.
Thank you so much Grandma Avis + Grandpa Beryl for showing us how it’s done.
And now for my very first slideshow featuring a few of my favorites. Apologies for the load time.
