this precious life.

ellyn is EIGHTEEN!! how in the world did that sneak up on us so fast? she gathered some of her friends together to help celebrate last week (out of state friends came too-- that's how much she's loved!) and we all had breakfast for dinner:) we played a few rounds of knock-out followed by several rounds of duck-duck-goose (elaena's suggestion and she was SO excited about it!) before ellyn blew out her candles on a "cake" made of cinnamon rolls. then we set up the projector out back and watched one of her favorite movies "newsies" as the stars came out. p.s. it's perfectly normal to play duck-duck-goose at an adult's birthday party-- f.y.i. p.p.s. thanks to anna for a bunch of the snapshots below:)

i know i've said it many times, but being with people i love & gathering them  around a table to nourish them with food & conversation makes my heart so full! this little dinner was rather last minute but sometimes those are the best ones!  it was a united effort as we spread the table, prepared summer dishes & prayed the rain away:)   maybe it seems silly and just adds to the work load to carry tables & chairs & dishes & food  all the way outside just so we can eat together under the twinkle lights… but to me, it's so much more than that.  it's the community that takes place when we work together to make a dinner happen & the collaboration  of many ideas as we discuss how things should be placed or what toppings should go on the salad.  it gives us an opportunity to build & create together and then fully enjoy the work of our hands  as we delve into the flavors of the season-- sharing storie...