Twenty years ago today Ashley was born. It seems like yesterday I was waiting at the hospital for her arrival and today she's a grown young woman.
She's making extra money bar tending part-time now, so, this being a Packer Sunday, she had to work. So a lot of us went to wish her a Happy Birthday! and watch the game. (I don't care for football so I just went to see her! Oh yes, Steve was up North again and couldn't attend.)
She works at a sports bar called Calhoun Station. Aptly named because it was originally a train station and is right by the tracks. Inside was a loud, raucous crowd shouting the Packers on to a win. And I don't think I've ever seen Ashley moving around so fast as I did today as she and two other bartenders served up the "brewskis". She said Packer Sundays are "totally hectic"!
I told her no more goofy faces ...
That's better - listening intently to her Dad.
Handsome and proud father, Kim ...
Father and daughter look-a-likes . . . 
with Aunt Candy . . .
and her wonderful , heart-of-gold, Mom (Gramma, too) Mae.
And Shaun, love of her life, was there with his Mom and Dad.
"The Other Gramma" as I sometimes call myself and my little sweet heart. (I remember when I had a chin like that!! Really, I did!)
Kelly, looking much too grown up and lovely, was there with Cindy. I didn't get any pictures that Cindy would allow me to put on the blog. But she was there.
Such a wonderful and sweet young woman she has become. I can't wait to see what the next twenty years will bring . . . ****************
There has been quite a bit of snow the past weeks and I was able to get some very pretty pictures of the gardens.
As you can see, I haven't got the front entrance decorated at all yet. The "Happy Harvest" scarecrow is sticking out of the snow! The Welcome Pug is just about buried and the Welcome Bear looks a little like a panda - if you squint and tilt your head just so .....
Can't even tell that this is the pond . . .
I thought these two pictures, above and below were really neat . . .
like they were taken for a calendar.
The Poodle tree with the ornamental grass in the background. The grass has sprung back up after being covered with ice and snow last week.
Little Metal Pig Gardener looks somewhat forlorn up to her skirt hem in snow. And don't even ask me where the Green Angel is - somewhere under the snow would be my first guess!
**********************
There is something about winter
which pares things down to their essentials
a bare tree
a black hedge
hold their own stark throne in our hearts.
Moya Cannon - "Winter Paths" (1997)
*******************
Bye for now,
Alyssa
13 comments:
Happy birthday to Ashley from Vermont! What wonderful pictures, and hey, you two look alike.
I like the photographs of the swing and the bench, too. They have that old-fashioned Christmas card look to them. Are you making calendars?
Pam -I will convey your birthday wishes and thank you for the compliment.
Many times we've thought about using our pictures for calendars, but just haven't gotten around to it. I'd like to make some Christmas cards too. Hopefully next year . . .
enjoyable post as always Alyssa,
Great pictures and looks like good times with family
I had a chin like that, too! Really, I did! LOL!
Ashley is a beauty and wow what a woman she will grow to be. Ahhhh, to be young again and have just one chin.
I'm glad you shared her birthday at her party. That's nice and very special.
Oh, the snow. Everyone has snow. Seems like 50% of the country has snow. Pout. Your snow is soooo pretty.
Your daughter Ashley is lovely and Oh! so young LOL
Your whole clan seems to be really nice like how nice it would be to know you in person.
You have a beautiful family, and snow covered yard!
Dee - I'm glad you enjoyed Ashley's birthday and the snow.
Mary - I wouldn't want to be young again, just have that young body!!
We just got more snow today for a total of 17" in the past few weeks.
It is pretty - a winter wonderland. I wish I could share some with you.
Tossing - Yes, Ashley is a pretty and very photogenic young woman. I don't think she's ever taken a bad picture. Thank you for joining our celebration.
Katie - Thank you for the compliments - I will pass them along.
What a great set of pictures and a wonderful post for me to come back to.... how I have missed my favourite blogs.
Cheers for being here.
Alyssa,
This was a treat to read. Your love for Ashley shines through - what a good-looking woman with lots of strong family ties. The pictures were great.
And finally, a picture of you - I like the way you snuck it in. And as Pam says, you two look alike. I can still see your chin!!
The Metal Pig Gardener made me smile. The snow on both benches looks so cool - I love the one with the wooden posts. I wish I had one like that!
It was good to read your post tonight - it's my 50th bday tomorrow and I'm feeling quite down ... it's that time of year for me too.
Hope your week's going well!
Tom - Wonderful to hear from you! I'm glad you enjoyed Ashley's birthday blog. Now don't over do things and take care of yourself. It's great you are up and around.
Kate - I'm so happy you enjoyed the birthday post. Thank you for seeing my chin - I truly appreciate it! Oh, fifty is a great age! It was the start of a wonderful time for me. I like getting older because I seem to have become more introspective and "fuller" inside. If that makes sense. The world has become more satisfying. I'm looking at this like a brand new journey - and it is very exciting! Just relax and enjoy the trip - that's the only thing you can do.
Kate - HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY !!!!
Ashely is a beautiful young lady! Happy Birthday to her!!
And your snow pictures are gorgeous....of course, my favorite is the BENCH! I LOVE BENCHES!!
Kerri - Yes, Ashley is a real cutie. Thank you for the compliments on my pictures. Coming from such a fine photographer as yourself, I'm very flattered. (There is something about empty benches that evokes all sorts of feelings, isn't there??!)
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