A Birthday Party

Jonathan had twenty-six guests,
not including us,
at his birthday party last night.

He was thrilled that our 87 year old
Associate Pastor came. Pastor Jack
is a very popular guy with lots of
stories to tell.

He was a veterinarian for most of his
life and then God called him into
ministry. He was Pastor to a
church in Delaware for years before
moving to Lancaster County upon his
retirement.

Anyway, this is supposed to be about
Jonathan's party, isn't it?

Well, first the overview of the food
table....



I took the two leaves out of our big
dining room table and pushed the table
to one side of the room, under the window.

This gave more room for seating and helped
with multiple conversation areas.
I highly recommend this if you have not
tried it before and your home is on the
smaller side.

Peanut M&M's and Tootsie Rolls were
perfect in these fun jars.
Soon, these jars will be terrariums
as Mikey's Spring Horticulture Project
but for now....they hold edibles!



I had in mind to make Jonathan
a "Cheeseburger Cake".
However, since I had never done it
before and only had one chance to
get it right on the afternoon of the
party, I chose to get a Costco Cake
as well. I didn't want to take a
chance on ruining his party and not
have a cake.

Mikey and Chelsea took Jonathan
away to a park to play Ultimate
Frisbee with friends for the afternoon
so I could surprise him with my
efforts. Hmmmm....



Bread and seasoned olive oil.
Yum!
It is easy...and popular.
The bread was gone at the end
of the evening!



Two cheese balls were at the center
of our menu. Georgia made them up
for us from recipes I chose.
They were so very good!

They were the nod to the
cheese in the cheeseburger.
Then there were meatballs...
the beef. And of course the
bread. So we had all of the
parts represented.

A lemon cheese ball.
You can go here
for the recipe!
Your guests will love it!
I served it with chocolate
graham crackers.



The most popular Cheeseball.
Bacon, cheddar, Ranch....
Awesomeness!
The crackers are Honey Wheatables
made by Keebler.
Cheese ball Recipe HERE.



Chelsea made these M&M cookies.
They looked so pretty on this
plate.



The plate looked great on this stand.
I recently purchased it from Melissa
at The Inspired Room, from her OpenSky shop.
I can see this being a staple at every party.
Offering additional table space and interest
by adding height.

I have another blog purchase and
a gift to share on Monday.
It has just been too busy to get
good photos.



Chelsea also made this
amazing pudding dessert.
Layers of chocolate, vanilla
and banana pudding with graham
cracker and sliced bananas
layered in. So good!
And so pretty!
This just happens to be the
third container that Mikey
will use for his terrariums.
Thought I would get some use
out of it first since it was
in the way. New, in the box,
no less! Would be a shame
to not use it! Smile.



And now for the disaster of
a Cheeseburger Cake.

Not exactly what I had
envisioned but I could see
it getting better on a second
or Tenth try.

It was good for
conversation anyway....



Jonathan would have preferred the real
thing and we promised to get him one
today...but he thought this was pretty
funny.

Here, we are being directed in the
Happy Birthday Song.



Soon after this
the guys broke out a much funkier
version of the Birthday Song and a Conga
Line broke out. I kid you not. It was kids
and Grandmas alike going around the living
room, kitchen and dining room. Until somebody,
who shall remain nameless, spilled a glass of
drink. LOL

I missed most of this foolishness as I was
serving cake and ice cream.

We have truly interesting
family and friends.

He enjoyed his party and is
off and running into this new
year. One of his ideas for a
gift to buy with birthday money
is a lifetime fishing license.
I know that will make his Uncle
Allan very happy.
It will also guarantee some relaxing
time along a gurgling stream....
Sounds great to me.
Only I don't have to be fishing.
A book to read and a comfy chair.
That is all I need.



It is Good Friday. I hope yours is filled
with meaning. We will have a Good Friday
Service tonight and then look forward
to a Sonrise Service on Sunday.
We don't start at the crack of dawn
so I don't call it a Sunrise Service.
We are celebrating the resurrection of
The Son!
Hallelujah!!!!