Friday, April 20, 2007

The mums' birthdays


April is obviously a popular month for birthdays, in our family. My mum's birthday was on Tuesday (17th). My immediate family met up for an evening meal at my older sister Sandra's house. we shared the cooking and preparation, with me preparing a fish starter, Sandra cooking a lasagne for the main, and Wendy (younger sister) making a fruit salad and cream. We then sang the traditional 'Happy Birthday' followed by a slice of Wendy's chocolate cake. Yummy!


Yesterday both mums and I went out for the day to Shugborough Hall, the stately home of Lord Lichfield, who was the 5th Earl of Lichfield and the Queen's first cousin once removed. Patrick Lichfield was a world-renowned photographer and copies of several of his classic poses of members of the royal family were displayed in the tea rooms, where we had lunch.

The estate has upgraded in recent years to a living museum, where people dressed in Edwardian (18th century) dress re-enact and explain the servants' roles of that time. The kitchen and laundry were particularly interesting as were the 18th century shops with goods displayed as they would have been during that time.





Then today was Jose's birthday. She had many lovely presents and here she is behind some new bird feeders. Today was the first time she had made it into the back garden since her fall over a year ago. She was feeling very pleased with herself and even did a bit of pruning to one of her shrubs.
Earlier this week we visited a garden centre to buy some summer plants, which I then potted up ready to go onto her patio, when there is no longer a risk of night frost. Her favourite plants are red geraniums.

Here they are sitting on a black plastic sheet in her dining room.

Incidentally, tomorrow (21st April) is the Queen's 81st birthday. My mum and the Queen were born in the same year, 1926, only four days apart. "Happy Birthday, Maam!"

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