Birthday Garden Party

Until the welcoming committee of Danni, Elizabeth, Ella, and Jack burst into singing Happy Birthday I had not realised that the invitation for us to meet at my sister’s was for my benefit.

A fine spread of cold meats, salads, quiche, and warm sausage rolls followed by cup cakes made by the children, strawberries, and a summer fruits tart; with a cool refreshing white wine filled the dining table. We all tucked in with relish then sat on soft seats when I received presents including well selected drawing materials from Elizabeth in an effort to persuade me that my hand was rather less unsteady than I thought. The first of the pictures labelled Bunting Workshop in the later gallery demonstrated that she may to some extent be right.

Although Jackie will snack later, I have no further need to do so.

Afterwards we adjourned to the warm and pleasant sunshine of the garden, where we admired the

flowers flourishing in their beds. Each of these is entitled in the gallery.

Ella and Jack enjoy being wrapped up in the garden map. Their G-Ma, as all three of her grandchildren call Elizabeth, duly obliged.

Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers. I photographed bees on alliums and a comma butterfly on a buddleia while Jackie tracked a Red Admiral from plant to plant.

The Bunting Workshop mentioned earlier was in honour of our country’s European Football Final match this evening against Spain. In the last of these images Ella displays her three lions in the rain.

Named by the family as Stinky Flower, this member of the Marguerite family earns its epithet enough for me to be unsurprised that it attracts flies.

When this partial eggshell dropped by a passing avian landed on the lawn Ella wrapped it up to take to school.

Finally, when I was pretty well all in I photographed the aptly named rose Tottering By Gently, “Named to celebrate the 25th anniversary year of Annie Tempest’s classic weekly cartoon. First published in Country Life magazine in January 1994, Tottering-by-Gently depicts the everyday capers of Dicky and Daffy Tottering, and their family, at Tottering Hall.” (David Austin Roses)

Now, honour bound, I am settling down to watch the football match.

80 comments

    1. Thanks very much, Pat. Its the flag in the second picture in the gallery – the one with the hands of the others.

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  13. Happy Birthday. I am now suffering from shed envy. Flowers are OK, butterflies are great, but for me garden sheds are the pinnacle in terms of garden contents.

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  14. What a wonderful birthday celebration, Derrick! Thank you and Jackie for sharing the photos with readers. I am glad they gave you drawing materials, too. You have a wonderful talent that should be exercised.

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  15. What fun! I’m glad you were happily surprised and got to sit on soft seats so you could relax – that means more as we get older. 🙂 I love the lions and rolling in the garden map!

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  19. Aw, so loving, so sweet…a wonderful surprise party for your birthday! 🙂
    Gosh, the kiddos sure are growing up quickly!
    Those butterfly photos are divine!
    (((HUGS))) ❤️❤️

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  20. What a delightful birthday celebration you had, Derrick! I’m glad the weather cooperated so you could have this garden party. Thank you for sharing it with us through your photos. I can’t believe how big the children are. I don’t think I’ve seen photos of them in a while.

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    1. Much appreciated, Merril. They last came when the grandfamily were still here

      Reply

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