50th Birthday Tea Dance Party and celebrations

Mr Margie turned fifty on July 20th and I turned 50 on July 25th. We spent a lovely evening at the Belgian Ambassadors reception on the 18th celebrating Belgian National Day. 

Our nephews Cole and Lir joined us, along with Lir's girlfriend Aoife.

Considering that the last year has been a very difficult one for me and for all the family, I was determined to have a celebration to mark our birthdays. I was watching River Cottage on tv and saw the episode where Hugh attends a tea dance. That gave me the idea for our birthday celebration. 

Leiny came back to Ireland and took the 

Morris up to Dublin for a spin. 

I went to an Auction with my mum to look for birthday gifts for Mr Margie, 

thanks to Noelle for letting me know there was one on last week. I found a lovely vintage child's high chair, address stamps, shelving unit and cuff links for Mr Margie.

Mel, Chris, Isla and Esmé arrived on the Ferry, Rommeij and Rikki flew in and some of Mr Margie's family arrived from Belgium to help us celebrate. 

The garden at Chez Margie was put to good use and many happy hours were spent outdoors.

The tea dance party was at the local church hall in Athy and the dress code was 1930's- 1950's. Mr Margie and I welcomed our guests and they were asked to sign the guest book on arrival.

My cousin Alice had put together a play list of music on her lap top over the previous few weeks, she began the night by kicking off with the Tommy Dorsey Band playing Boogie Woogie. The guests mingled in the dance hall while the Tea room was set up. 

Mel, Lein, my nephews Cole, Lir and son in law Chris, along with cousin Alice and her partner Caroline,

set up the 1930-1950 vignettes, bunting, and stage in the main hall as well as tables and place settings, banner in the hall and more bunting in the tea room, while making up a batch of sandwiches to start the ball rolling for the waitresses.

Alice also brought along home made  Macaroons and a delicious chocolate cake. 

I changed my dress when the tea rooms closed. The guests retired from the tea room, full of sandwiches and cakes, back to the dance hall. 

Cole and Des put on a surprise entertainment old style show, which saw the audience singing along to the old classics such as "daisy, daisy, give me answer do..." and "it's a long way to Tipperary". 

The regailed us with witty stories and jokes as well as a magic trick. 

Then Des introduced the "Andrews sisters" who were Mel, Lein and Rommeij in full uniform, they sang along

to "don't sit under the apple tree" and "oh johnny", 

before joining the guests to dance for the following two hours. 

Both Mr Margie and I were so happy to welcome so many family members and 

friends from all across the world to our Tea Dance Party. My mums six sisters joined us.

Ciaran travelled from Canada, and Brooke came from New York. 

Maria and James came over from Ascot and Jess flew in as a surprise from London where she has just finished her training with the Police. 

Anthony came up from Cork.  

We had many apologies from loved ones who could not join us, 

and we appreciate the gifts from everyone near and far. It was the best birthday bash we ever had and a special thank you to everyone who went to the effort to come dressed for the occasion. 

Big hugs, 

 Love Margie ❤️

Home, crafting and friendship

Since I returned from my post chemo travels, my energy levels have increased. I have less afternoon resting. 

The garden is providing an abundance of produce and flowers at the moment.  

I have begun walking a couple of times each week with my mum and my friend Clodagh.  

I am enjoying the outdoors, decking out in rain jacket and wellies when required,

 

most of all I enjoy sitting out in the garden 

at Chez Margie when the sunshines. 

I have been eating well and I only had one bad day in the last week. I am baking and eating cakes, trying out new recipes, no sugar, no dairy, 

no eggs and enjoying meeting family, friends and work colleagues.

Last week I visited my workplace for the first time since I collapsed there last September. My colleagues, manager and the chair person of the board all made me feel so welcome and missed. I chatted with everyone for over two hours and the sunflowers they gave me look splendid on the kitchen table at Chez Margie. 

My dear friend Noelle and I have enjoyed meeting up again, she came to visit last week bringing me some vintage fabrics, a lovely plant, candles and a gorgeous basket. 

I was so pleased as i had cleaned up the 

studio and set up my sewing machine for the first time since last summer. 

I visited Noelle yesterday, bringing her a gift of a bag I had made from the fabric she brought me. It was so good to chat, eat chocolate (85% cocoa) and fruit, we got no sewing done. 

My nephew Lir has been helping out around the house and garden doing chores and painting, it's great to have an extra set of hands around, he is also good fun to be with. Both he and Mr Margie enjoy my home cooked meals and used the bistro table to watch the soccer during dinner. 

Mr Margie is working on a garden house, which will catch the sun for most of the afternoon and evening. I am looking forward to decorating it. 

My friends Alex, Maggie and their daughter Megan visited today and after lunch al fresco 

we did some sewing together, Megan and Maggie gave their new Ikea sewing machine a good first outing, 

and Megan was so pleased to take home her completed owl. 

I really enjoyed spending time with them all. 

Big hugs 

Margie ❤️

Post chemo travel 3

Town centre in Henley was once again the choice venue for a film set, this time for a German series "Valentine's Kiss". 

A recently vacated shop was set up as a bridal store,  and the locals just went about business as usual while the filming continued. 

The Henley standard carried the whole story on Friday. 

A visit to Greys Court just outside Henley with Mel, Esmé, Yvette, Ellie Skye, Rose and Isaac, was a real treat for Mr Margie and I. Rose entertained us with her Hula Hoop and we dined alfresco on the front lawn. 

After lunch our stroll around the gardens was an absolute delight. 

Roses, lavender, wisteria, 

and a white garden with a beautiful pond were all a gardeners treat.  

In the afternoon a rendezvous with Trish and Bella, and Louise and Amelia by the river and on to the playground was such fun. A special time with good friends and 

sweet, smiling, happy faces all round. 

A visit to Henley is never complete without a drive to Turville, 

a relaxing drink and some storytime under the apple tree 

in the garden of "The Bull and Butcher" 

was followed by a walk through the village and a visit to the church 

and graveyard. 

On Friday Mr Margie and I drive back to Crystal Palace 

and Rommeij and I took the train 

and the tube to visit Lein.

Mr Margie and Rikki worked on Lein's Morris Minor. 

We really enjoyed saturday morning second breakfast with Lein and Duane at Kenwood house in Hampstead Heath, 

and we were happy to spend an hour looking at the paintings, 

some Vermeer, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Constable and more, 

all bequeathed to the National Trust by the Earl of Iveagh. 

The costumes from the movie "Belle" were on display as the characters in the movie were brought up at Kenwood house. 

Our post chemo travels sadly came to an end, and we had to say goodbye to all our family and friends until we meet again,and take the road trip home. Thank you one and all for such a wonderful trip, I enjoyed every minute of it. Looking forward to our next adventure.

Big hugs, 

Love Margie ❤️