Wish you were here? and the 40th birthday in a digital layout

Thanks everyone for your great response to my mini-tour of around our cottage.

The photo that seemed to cause the most excitement was the abandoned cottage. So as not to disillusion any of you, that despite the roses around the door, you definitely would not wish to live in it without a huge heap of work (and money).

Don’t believe me? Co take a closer look in these images (taken last summer when I was feeling remarkably brave and went inside.

Excuse the smell, mind where you step, and tell me which layer of wall paper do you prefer from the samples on show!

I wish to assure you that if you choose to come and visit, you will be invited into a much more comfortable and clean cottage, which although modern, does benefit from the luxury of indoor toilets, electricity and running water that comes from a tap, not down the wall!

For those romanticists among you, here is a local traditional thatched cottage which may be more appealing. This is not our cottage either, (by the way) but I know which one I would prefer to stay in!

So, on to the 40th birthday celebrations for my husband.

Those regular visitors to my blog know I can never resist the chance to create a digital scrapbook layout of any occasion.

janmary christmas traditionsKit used this time is a gorgeous new one from Gina Marie Huff and Heidi Williams, called Follow Your Bliss.

I was really pleased with my new Canon 50mm lens, as I was able to capture some lovely photos around the table at dinner.

We returned from the cottage on Monday, which was the start of a beautiful spell of warm sunshine for 4 days. We did manage to fit in a picnic and a spell on the beach in Portballintrae before heading for home.

On Monday evening, the second part of the 40th birthday celebrations was a dinner out with friends in Bar Retro, part of ThePlough, in Hillsborough. (Warning, turn down your volume before clicking on this link!) It was a lovely meal, which we finished off with champagne back at our house and a surprise song written especially (by us girls) for the birthday boy!

Here are the lyrics, with portions removed to protect the identity of the innocent (or not, as the case may be!)

His name is ****** *******

 

He comes from ********

 

And he can play

 

What can he play?

 

He plays piano.

 

Pia, pia, piano, piano, piano

 

Graded exams are the way to go

 

Pia, piano

 

 

 

 

His name is ******* *******

 

He has a wife, 3 kids

 

Who love him dearly

 

They drive him crazy

 

Drive him crazy

 

Drop-offs, pick-ups, bath-time fun

 

********’s always on the run

 

Family life can be quite mad

 

But he’s a super Dad!

 

 

 

So finally, ********* ********

 

You’ve reached the big four-0

 

But don’t go slow

 

There’s years to go

 

Life begins now

 

Now you’ve turned the big four-0

 

Making memories as you go

 

With friends and family

 

And webbed toes

 

Happy Birthday ******* *******

That probably makes little sense with some bits (and an entire verse) missing, but you get the idea! It was sung to the tune of The Music Man (a kids song) do you know it? Maybe we should enter it for the European Song Contest!

That is enough ramblings for tonight.

Have a lovely weekend, and I will be back soon(ish).

Take care until then.