Celebrating 70

It's not often that I share photos of me so the last post was a bit of an aberration.  And now there's another post!  What has the world come to!  Mind you only one of me this time.

But I am so very blessed.

A very dear friend, Vicky, said she and her husband Steve, wanted to host a birthday lunch for me on the day after my birthday.   And what a lunch party it was!

I am blessed to have such friends.

Vicky arrange all the invitations, the food and drink.

She roped in other people to help with the catering.  I don't know who did what, but thank you.  I know that Ange went to great lengths to make me a cake with my favourite colour - turquoise - and my favourite chocolate - Cadbury's.

My friends came and blessed me with cards, presents and conversation.  The weather was kind too.

Lots of questions had been asked about my favourite foods and I mention Vicky's chocolate bread & butter pudding. And here it is.  It was totally yummy.

Rosie and Ditch came from London especially to celebrate with me AND made a Florida Salad.  Thank you both.

After a sumptuous lunch, I cut the cake.  It was superb.

And if that wasn't enough blessings, Vicky had arranged for these two to Facetime.

They had stayed up until way past midnight to make the call.  Above and beyond, wouldn't you say!

What a fabulous afternoon to be blessed in such a way by friends and family.  Thank you all.

And you know I can't resist a bit of rust!!!  There was a fire bowl on the patio and there was rust!

How could I resist?

I nearly forgot!  Another blessing!  Several of my friends donated to a Birthday Fundraiser I put on Facebook to raise money for Once, We Were Soldiers.  Thank you to all who donated.

Thanks for joining me today.
Bernice

This is my life

Some of you might remember the programme 'This Is Your Life' with Eamonn Andrews and his big red book.  To celebrate my 70th birthday today, here is a photographic version of my big red book.  Key moments rather than a photo a year!

1949

1950s

1960s

21st birthday(1970)   By now I was wearing contact lenses!

I don't seem to have any photos for the next 13 years!

 May 1983

Andy 1986

 August 1999 - 50th birthday champagne breakfast

 25th Wedding Anniversary 2008

 Andy & Naomi's wedding 2009

60th birthday 2009

I have done such a lot in the last 10 years.  Retired, travelled, art journaled, run online challenges, taken numerous workshops etc, most of which has appeared on this blog.  I've done so many things it's been difficult to choose one photo.  So representing the last 10 years here's Roger & I trying to take a selfie using my camera rather than my phone. It was supposed to be of us eating ice cream in Manly.

More importantly 3 grandchildren (2 boys and a girl) have been born in 2015, 2017 and 2019.  In the Hopper family line there has only been one child in each generation since at least 1850. Each time just one boy. Andy broke the mould by having two boys. In June 2019 Hopper history was made. Our granddaughter was born.

Crystal Rose Photography  @crystalrose.photo

And so to today.

Thanks for joining me to celebrate my special day.
Bernice