39th Birthday recap + good mail

I had another great birthday this year...

This was the pre-curser to the big one! Tis' the last year o' my 30's...Yowzer! After this year, I'll never be able to watch 30 Something and be able to feel like I'm in the same boat...

As mentioned on my previous post, my mom drove up to celebrate Reilly's birthday and mine.

My birthday fell on a Tuesday this year, (ideal because Ellie is at pre-school all day on Tuesdays!), so we were feeling kid and fancy free!

We went shopping and then had lunch at CHICK-FIL-A!! Can't get enough of that place! And then went to see The Blind Side...(which I loved!!!) Seeing that movie really helped solidify the feelings that I had been having after going to the Holocaust Museum as well...

Why have I been moaning about not being able to get a new kitchen...?! Seriously!

I love documenting the gifts I receive...It's something that I enjoy looking back on from time to time when I'm having a bad day...
It reminds me of how much I cherish friendships...(and not just because of the great gifts!)

Wende sent me a copy of her favorite book, The Guernsey Literary Potato Peal Society (which I loved as well but did not own a copy)...until now! She wrote me the nicest card also...

My mom made me the cutest poster and had each of the kids and Brian sign on the back of each flower something they loved about me...

She also gave me a bunch of random things like chartreuse polka dot socks, a much needed spatula, mixing bowl, and a sweet smelling car scent...

Look at this card? Is that awesome, or what? My mom found this while she was driving through Punxatwaney, Pa. last year sometime and saved it for my birthday...



She also gave me this crazy cute monkey bank! Isn't he precious?!
I have him sitting right on my nightstand...


Heather gave me a beautiful candle, the most stinking cute little rooster I've ever seen and a gift card to my favorite garden store. The card from her is PLANTABLE! So clever!


Christine sent me this gorgeous flower arrangement...I was so surprised to get this because we usually just exchange cards for our birthdays...



These adorable bird sticky notes were from Patsy!
Where did she find these?! I love them!



Angela sent me her usual package of delights...(I had to separate it into sections so I could get it all in the picture) Guess what's in the box?...

These duckling cookies!!! Can you believe these things?

and these gorgeous salt and pepper shakers that look so pretty on my stove...they are a perfect compliment to my blue plate collection...

and then... there's THIS guy! Are you as in love as I am?

Claudia sent me a birthday card with her famous swirly messages...

Kelly gave me these chartreuse ramekans for
making creme brulee! How did I make it this far in life without ramekans?

Jill sent me this adorable card and music mix...

I've had these tunes cranked in my car ever since!

This was such a great gift!

Isn't this an awesome quote she printed on the front?!...

I love these gift tags that Michelle sent me ...

I've seen pictures of her making these on her blog and was secretly hoping that I would be the recipient of them...

My sister, Katie
made me these handy facial scrubbies...

I've been using them every night...

Tina sent me these cute package labels and wood grain tape from Ballard Designs...

Very original and handy!

Olivia gave me a satin lipstick case she got when she was in Hong Kong last year.

She also gave me some scented diffusers...

Look at these cute flower bowls from Leisha !

I was so excited to see them when I opened up her package...

One of my visiting teachers, Kathryn, made this cute card for me
and my other visiting teacher, Beth, stopped by and dropped off a pot of daffodils and some delicious brownies...(I forgot to take a picture of those!)

My neighbor, Jeannie , brought by a vase full of daffodils and a cute little duck...

My other neighbor, Lynda, gave me chocolates and a card with a wonderful message and note !

So there you have it...

A whole lotta love was sent my way...

I'm so grateful for thoughtful friends...