Sunday

Let the festivities begin!!

This is my birthday week! Yes, the big ole birthday is Wednesday! My friends and family have started the celebration already! After we returned from the beach last week, my sweet friends from where we moved from (75 miles away) drove up here to celebrate my birthday early since we'll be gone this week.

They took me to my favorite tea room here!

These two dear friends, DeAnn on the left of me, and Gloria on the right, lived next door to me when we moved to FL 44 years ago! DeAnn lived in the house on the right and Gloria on the left. We raised our children together in that little neighborhood.
Angela, on the right, above, is one of those children, all grown up! She very graciously drove her mother, Gloria, and DeAnn here to be with me! She is so much fun and looks after these senior citizens so nicely!
Here we are with our Afternoon Tea served on pretty tiered trays!
It was all so delicious!!

A surprise complimentary slice of birthday cake! I had already sliced off the end of it to share when I remembered to take the picture!

Pretty swans are the signature decor for this tea room!
They are also for sale in the large gift shop
All kinds of goodies are for sale, including these cute teddybears!
These rocking roosters
Children's mini tea sets:
and these whimsical tea things:
that can be seen better from the outside:


I didn't forget to take a picture in the tea room bathroom for Sheila!
The European basin is very pretty!
Check out the hand massage!

As we were leaving the tea room we had a surprise - the Space Shuttle was just launched and we could see the trail from here (about 90 miles from Kennedy Space Center.) See the curved white line just above the roof tops:


We had to have a little silliness before we left!
Gloria and me
DeAnn and Angela

We then went shopping at a big department store here, the perfect ending to a perfect day!

Later I'll take pictures of all the neat gifts they brought me. I'm so spoiled!!

Tomorrow I'm going to a tea party here in our neighborhood. After I return from there we are leaving to go to a timeshare at Disney World! I'll try to get lots of pictures to share when I can!

Thanks to my wonderful long-time friends for coming here to celebrate with me! I miss living next door to you! I'm so happy we have stayed in touch! God has blessed us!

Note added Thursday 5-20-10: I'm home from Disney for one night, leaving tomorrow morning for a long weekend in Savannah with my two daughters! I'll reply to your comments Monday when I return!

I'm linking to Tabletops Tuesday, and to Thursday Tablescapes to share the beautiful tables at the tea room! Thanks to Marty and Susan for hosting these fun memes! Click on their buttons below to see lots more inspiration.





Katherine

24 comments:

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Happy Birthday Katherine. Have the best birthday celebration ever! The tea room looks fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a wonderful day you had with your friends. I am so happy that you went to one of your fav tea rooms. The lunch looked so delicious and also enjoyed seeing the gift shop. Thanks so much for sharing and have a wonderful birthday!!!

Janet

A Hint of Home said...

What a sweet post!! Long time friends are the best!
Happy, Happy Birthday and many more!
I loved that tea room when we were there with you and the hubbies.
Enjoy your whole week!

Creations By Cindy said...

Happy birthday sweet lady! I pray you have a wonderful and blessed trip to Disney. What a sweet thing for your friends to do for your birthday. Nothing like spending time with friends on a special day. Be blessed. Cindy

parTea lady said...

Happy Birthday! It sounds like you are having a wonderful ongoing celebration. What could be better than tea room visits with old friends and a trip to Disney?

I have been to Shakespeare's tea room and really enjoyed their afternoon tea. I found a couple of really pretty mini teapot ornaments for my tea tree in their lovely gift shop.

Susan said...

Happy Belated Birthday Katherine. It looks like you had a very special time!

Love Bears All Things said...

I remembered that your Birthday is Wednesday. Have a great one.
Mama Bear

xinex said...

Oh Katherine, what a fun birthday celebration! And how wonderful to have 2 good friends come to join you in the celebration, Happy birthday!.....Christine

Adrienne said...

Happy birthday, my dear friend. So glad you were celebrated with tea and bit of fun. Come this way and I'll celebrate you again!
~Adrienne~

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Katherine and you even snapped for me! Woo Hoo! I love it. Love seeing you and your friends and your sweet smiling faces. Sounds like you had a great time.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh Katherine, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! This looks like you had the best time with such cherished friends. You look fabulous and the little shop had such wonderful treasures and eye candy. Great time I am sure. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty

Sarah said...

Happy Birthday, Katherine. Don't you love birthdays at our age? It seems that the celebration goes on for a week and sometimes more. :-)
The celebration with your friends must have been lovely. The tea looks yummy! ~ Sarah

The Style Sisters said...

Happy Birthday! What a great way to celebrate with friends and having High Tea!! I love all your pics. I am hosting a new party and would love for you to join today. Centerpiece Wednesdays. Stop by and add this post to the party. Great Ideas!
Karin

GwendolynKay said...

Happy Birthday! How wonderful to spend it with friends , I went to a tearoom in our town a few years ago, I know how fun they are.
Blessings
Gwen

Marilyn Miller said...

A perfect way to celebrate a birthday. Special friends and tea, what could be better. Happy birthday to you.

Barbara said...

Happy birthday! It looks like you had a wonderful celebration! It is so wonderful to have old friends like these, so many memories to share.

Sharon Haynie said...

Happy Birthday! what a great way to celebrate too! Thanks for sharing your special week with us!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday and what a wonderful way to celebrate :)

Blessings!
Gail

Kathleen said...

Happy Birthday, Katherine! Looks like you have been very busy..all good thing!
So glad you had fun!

Anonymous said...

How fun to have lunch in a tearoom and even more special with friends. It reminded me of the time my friend and I took our high school daughters to a tea room and even though it was fun we stopped by Taco Bell on the way home because we were still hungry. lol It was a special memory. Thanks for sharing.

Marigene said...

Happy Birthday, Katherine! How sweet of your gal pals to take you to lunch.

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

What a fun day and a wonderful birthday celebration! Love the swans.

From the Kitchen said...

Happy belated birthday, Katherine! I just "met" you on another blog. Doesn't the Grand Floridian do a nice job at tea? I entertained my niece and her bridal party at a tea there ten years ago before her ceremony in the beautiful wedding chapel nearby. We had a grand time. I notice that you are a Jan Karon fan. I just finished several blog posts about my "visit" to Mitford. Hope you will join me there.

Best,
Bonnie

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Katherine, I'm back by to thank you for your sweet birthday wishes to Mr. Magpie! He truly appreciated them, and I do, too!

Happy Memorial Day...

XO,

Sheila :-)