Thursday, April 16, 2009

A Birthday Party?


Okay, so here's the thing....

I'm rapidly approaching the half century mark (just about three more months!) and it occurs to me that I have never in my adult life had a party. Seriously - no wedding shower, no baby shower, no birthday parties, no anniversary parties....nada.

I've thrown plenty of them for others - showers, surprise birthday parties, Halloween parties, Day of the Dead parties, Christmas parties, Fourth of July parties, graduation parties, etc....Like almost any wife and Mom, celebrations have become my domain. ;)

And I really do enjoy them from beginning to end - the menu planning, the cooking, the decorating, the entertaining - all of it. Well, OK, almost all of it. I could do without the cleaning up. ;)

So I have to admit I'm crossing my fingers that this year - milestone birthday that it IS - someone else around here will step up to the plate...

But I'm not holding my breath. ;)

To that end, I'm thinking about throwing myself (and everyone here in bloglandia) a fabulous fifty celebration - a fiesta of sorts here on the blog, honoring all of us who, whether already past that 50th milestone, or still approaching it, hope to age fabulously.

I'm not talking about looks here, but about spirit; about never letting go of wonder and magic, about following your bliss, about keeping an open mind.....about the aging process being an awakening!

I've blogged about this subject before, and was delighted recently to read the very same sentiment on the truly fabulous Vanessa Valencia's blog. How she never wanted to lose sight of her five year old self....I was reading along, thinking "YES! That's it!"...and it started me thinking there must be soooooooo many of us who feel that way...

And I think we need a party, don't you?

This has been so much on my mind lately I painted a whimsical little birthday canvas (the one shown above) with a birthday mouse putting the cherry at the top of her own off-kilter cake (LOVE all those off kilter cakes the bakeries are doing now - so perfect, haha!). Anyway, this one is my little present to myself, at least until it sells (in this economy, I have to sell everything I've taken time to paint!) Not sure if it will end up on eBay or Etsy, but stay tuned. :)

In the meantime, tell me what you think of this Birthday Blog Party idea! I've never hosted a blog party before, and don't exactly know how to go about it - a banner and list of participants to start with I guess? Maybe a month or so before the big day? Or a couple of weeks? Feel free to jump in here, I need all the help I can get....

That's about it for now - I have to get back to work! Sooooooooo many new projects in the works, and a road trip tomorrow to visit the most wonderful woodworker for new goodies!

Wishing everyone a magical and *creative* weekend!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

23 comments:

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Exciting! I think a birthday party would be exciting. Happy to help you celebrate this milestone.
♥, Susan

*~tabby~* crooked heart art said...

hi carolee
i too will be hitting that half century mark soon
and i am interested in what it will bring
i have had only one party thrown for me back in my 30's loved it!!
birthdays are special and fun and would love to see one on your blog too-altho i am not sure how to go about it either?
i will keep watching for what you come up with
early birthday wishes
tabby :)

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

Oh wow, you make such cute and wonderful things!!!

Party - yay!
I'm not around the half century mark myself but it seems to be a pretty darn good age.

Once Upon A Blue Crow said...

Of course! I definitely hope someone throws you a party at home and we can have another in blogland. It's time to start catching up!

Micki Wilde said...

ooh a blog party sounds just fab.

Micki x

Dolores said...

Just love the birthday cake you painted for ME for MY 50th birthday! Actually, it looks like my Nephling and Neicling's Wedding Cake. We can't really be 50...I don't feel grown up yet!

Carolee said...

I hope to NEVER feel grown up! ;)

~ Carolee

Gourdqueen said...

Great idea and great cake! Wow wouldn't it be so totally cool if Ace of Cakes did a cake just like yours!
I say PARTY!!!!

Sara said...

Oh, what a great idea!! And staying young at heart is definitely key. My sweetie is 50, and while he's lucky to look much younger, it's not just genes; I know it's also his attitude and insistence on having fun/playing/enjoying life, etc. My roommate is getting closer to 50, and she most definitely doesn't look it; again, attitude is key. I totally believe in keeping our "five year old selves," and I'd love to take part in the blog party! I say you have a pinatta, we play pin the tail on the donkey, mess with play-doh, fingerpaint, the works! LOL! (No idea how best to do such things at a blog party, but then again, playing pretend is fun, too!) :-)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like fun. I don't think I've ever had a birthday party either. I'll be reaching that
50th birthday in a few years( just turned 47) maybe I'll throw myself a party then, hee hee.

Georgina said...

Well, I can tell you that there's a lot to be said for 50 and beyond, I'm in the "beyond" category and I wouldn't trade my life for my youth any ol' day!!! I through myself a 50th party 7 years ago and had a blast. I was in college, a "returning student" (old fart), so I had lots of young friends. I was older than most of their parents but we always got along. Had my old friends there too, so it was a great mish-mash of different ages and we had lots of fun.

I hope some one throws a party for you, but if not, throw yourself one...don't wait to be asked. Plan it and just have fun! If you're looking for ideas for blog parties, though, go to Fanciful Twist blog. On the left side of the bar you'll see The Mad Hatter's Tea Party. It's great and she did a kick ass job of it...incredible!

Abrazos,
Georgina

Zan Asha said...

Carolee...firstly, you don't look or seem 50!

Secondly, I think it is an excellent idea to do a blog celebration! Some little ideas: How about a blog swap or maybe have us all write you a poem...just thinking of some sort of event things to do, since you asked..or an online tea party?

Ok, I have to stop being organizational now...can you tell I was an event planner in a previous occupation? :)

I am sure whatever you are thinking, it will be as magical as all of the other things you do!

Janine said...

Hi Carolee,
this ideam sounds great A- Blog- Birthdayparty.
That is a fascinating, unice and new idea.
You should do that.Everybody who comes, has to bring a present (Maybe a painting for you,which you can see on your guest blog).
Something like that.
And by the way, you should keep that lovely birthday- painting.
It is so lovely.
Greetings from Germany
Janine

Barbara on Camano Island said...

You absolutely must have a birthday party! (I've never had one either.) I can't wait to help you celebrate. I too wish you would keep the new painting, it is too purr-fect. This is so exciting! Purrs to you, Carolee.
=^..^=

Little Dollings by Brenda O. said...

Carolee, I love this attitude - bring the party to you!! I'll be watching for updates!
Brenda
:)

LYNDY WARD said...

Hi Carolee, I have your birthday gift. When is your exact 'B' Day so I know when to send it to you?

On my last 100 + person birthday party I was eight, LOL... :) So don't wait to throw a party for yourself if no one steps to the plate. Have a fun theme birthday party, like a Renaissance or Victorian costume party. What fun invitations, decorations & food buffet you could have! Tell everyone to BYOB too... Helps to keep down the bar bill. But pitchers of Sangria with floating fruit would be delish!

AND YAY ~ I have Wicked Good Luck because I won EHAG's 3rd Anniversary ~ Frightful Fête Giveaway.

Thank you for this SPOOKTACULAR Giveaway & especially you Carolee Clark for your Fabulous Painting.

I've added the Giveaway PIC/w EHAG's Blogspot & your Website Link to my Blog as well: ~ TODAYSGOLD ~
XOXOs Always, Lyndy

Viki Banaszak said...

You go girl! I have hit that mark and then some ;)

Unknown said...

Carolee, I'm looking forward to the GRAND celebration! You know I'm here for you, if you need help.

As for the banner, why not use your painting? RE: start date, I think the timeline is totally up to your discretion.

Lori

artbyakiko said...

Birthday Blog Party sounds like fun! You are the birthday girl, so you have to be receiving a gift from your audience. How about on your birthday, let your friend bloggers post something for you on their blogs and let you know about the post. You then go to each blogger's site and pick up the gift, which may be an artwork, poem, or just message). Just an idea.

Danielle Barlow said...

Sounds like a cool idea! Perhaps we could all paint you a birthday card?

Carolee said...

Thanks so much, all - a party it is then! July 30th....No presents for me though! Maybe giveaways? Anyone who feels like it, anyway...I'll do five, one for each decade!

Unknown said...

Carolee, when is your birthday? I love your idea of a party and went to your profile and it didn't even give a clue with your astrological sign! For shame! I never had a party for my 50th so am happy to be a part of yours..Let me know!

Christopher A. Klingler said...

I can't believe I missed this post and LOVE the cake painting...TOO FUN!!! '-P)

Sounds like a FUN idea doing the blog birthday party.

Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather weekend...we are!

Chris (-: