Monday, April 27, 2020

T Stands For bEARTHday Celebration


We're meeting today at my dining room table.

It's my annual bEARTHday celebration.

I have a chocolate chip muffin like I always get for my celebration, thanks to my friend Sally who got it (and three more) for me when she went to Sam's last week.   I also have this Choco tea bag that I have no idea where I got it.

Note the errant chocolate chip that tried to run away and how I removed, then lost the tea bag tag.  While the tea water was steeping, I blew out the candle

and proceeded to eat the muffin.  That's when my batteries died.  I had just recharged two sets, so I was confident we would be back on our way soon.  However, neither set would allow my camera to work.

I got a brand new set that had never been out of the box, and I was finally back in business.  I'm not sure if it's my camera or the batteries, but for now, I'm just glad I can continue with my celebration.

While I was fidgeting with the batteries, my friend Scott stopped by with some groceries and some plants for my garden.  This is what he gave me for my birthday.  It's a framed canvas and I am in LOVE with it. 

I know just where I'm going to hang it, too. 

I suspect some of you will recognize the beautiful birthday card I received.  The Canadian postage stamps, not even cancelled, might give it away if the Bingo card background doesn't.

Yes, it's from my dear friend Cindy.

Next is this postcard, handmade and hand sewn by my dear friend Halle.

I know Lisca always shows the stamp she receives, so I did the same on Halle's postcard.  It seems none of my stamps have been cancelled for the past two weeks.  Lucky ME.  Note Halle also stamped the Postcard stamp on this side.

I suspect many of you know who sent this.  Note another postage stamp which has not been cancelled.  Did you guess it was Dianne who sent this?  If you did, you are correct.

She also sent these goodies I can use in my art.  

Add to that, this note giving me permission to use the collage on the card and the envelope in my art, too.  You were all witnesses that I won't be stealing her art if and when I decide to use these beautiful pieces in my own work.

I'm a bit late showing this adorable Easter card I received from my dear friend RO!

Although I received this card and drawing before the birthday card, I failed to show it during the Easter weekend because I was still in recycling mode.  In case you can't tell, this is also from my dear friend Cindy.  More Canadian postage stamps not cancelled.

One of my biggest surprises came in the form of an e-mail. Valerie sent me this gift card where I can buy anything I choose.  You really shouldn't have, Valerie, but I'm totally grateful for your doing this.

I'm also grateful to Cindy, Halle, Dianne, and RO! for the cards you sent and for the gifts I received from RO! and Scott. 

It took me awhile to get the box open.  The tape RO! used was very strong.

The entire box was filled with these peanuts, but I managed to corral all of them.  So what's in the box, you ask?   I've decided this post is long enough as it is.  You'll just have to wait till next Tuesday at T time to see what RO! sent me.

It's now time for you to share your drink related post this week.  It can be photos, a place you visited, movies, postcards, books, magazine images, recipes, sketches, mixed media, drawings, paintings, tags, scrapbooking, or other art that is digital, hybrid, or traditional, as long as it in some way relates back to a drink, any drink.  Regardless, please share below and Bleubeard and I, along with the rest of the T gang will be by to visit.   Please link only your T post and not your blog in general.  Old photos are acceptable because they may be taken at any time, and don't even have to be taken this year! 

Before I forget, and before you link, please don't forget it's time to dig up your Second on the 2nd post. It can be any post, any genre, any length, as long as it's been published sometime in the past. 




30 thoughtful remarks:

CJ Kennedy said...

I enjoyed your Bearthday celebration. Mmm, chocolate chip muffin. Excellent choice. What a delight your gift from Scott is. You can stare at it and see new things every time you look. Your happy mail is wonderful, too. And now a cliffhanger! What's in the box!. Thanks for a fun T Day. Take care.

Barbara said...

Nice celebrating, happy birthday!

Linda Kunsman said...

such a festive and beautiful bearthday celebration!What really loving gifts you have received. That canvas from Scott is amazing- there is SO much detail to take in. And yes, I did recognize both Cindy's and Dianne's art;) Glad you could really enjoy your special day despite our current life circumstances. Happy T day!

Cloudia said...

Happy birthday!

Kate Yetter said...

What a wonderful looking little birthday celebration! That was so nice of your friend Sally to bring you those yummy looking cupcakes. I loved seeing all your birthday goodies and cards. You have a lot of generous friends.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

DVArtist said...

Happy Happy Happy birthday. Are we the same day? the 27th? Your friend Scott is pretty special. That gift is amazing. All of your gifts are special you got lots of love my friend. I am so glad you were able to enjoy your day while staying inside. Birthday hugs.

Halle said...

Its always fun to see the fun things you receive. Watch out for a pink package from me this week. :)
Happy T day!

Rita said...

Happy happy birthday! Fun to see all the cards and gifts you got. :)

Jeanie said...

What wonderful and very thoughtful gifts. And well deserved, I might add. Three cheers for another year! That muffin looks to die for. I'm thinking maybe the soup I had for dinner wasn't enough!

Cindy McMath said...

Glad you had a lovely birthday - with treats! Lovely cards and gifts and can’t wait to see what was in that box. :)

Valerie-Jael said...

Glad you enjoyed your birthday celebrations, glad your muffin was not recycled, it looks good. You got some wonderful presents, enjoy! Happy T Day, Valerie

Helen said...

Your birthday celebration looks to have been joyful, if solitary. I am glad u had things to open even though you asked for nothing , I look forward to the opening of the box!!

aussie aNNie said...

Enjoy your day and your cake looks rather delish.xxx

Iris Flavia said...

Well, I guess I´m your company at the table. I had chocolate tea :-)
Oh, the vintage cards are my favorite! Uhhh, and the chick,so cute.
You sure received a lot of beautiful pressies, lucky you! But how can you do this??? What´s in that box???

Meggymay said...

A super post and your celebration photos looked great. i would have liked to sneak in the room to enjoy a cuppa with you and get a closer look at the beautiful canvas. your prezzies looked lovely and I wonder what in the box. Have a Happy T day and stay safe.
Yvonne xx

Lisca said...

I can see you were thoroughly spoilt on your bearthday. A lovely chocolate muffin! Yumm! Chocolate tea? I don't believe it! Never had it.
And then that pile of exciting mail plus a big box of birthday goodies! This is what I like most on my birthday: opening my mail. You have been blessed with many beautiful cards. I love that envelope. Thank you for showing the stamps too.
And then the triptych! I was so chuffed (sorry that is a British word) I was so delighted to see it. It is called (as you will know) The Garden Of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch. He was a Netherlands painter and this particular triptych (the original of course) usually lives in the Prado Museum in Madrid.
Do you also have the Earth painted on the back of the side panels? The earth with plant life before animals and humans were created.
Interestingly he paints the earth as a sphere although they believed the world was flat. He does both. He represents the earth on a flat plane inside a sphere.
I can imagine you were thrilled with this gift. Hang it somewhere where you can see it clearly as you will always find new things to look at. There is so much to see on it.
Lucky you!
Happy T-Day,
Lisca

Caty said...


Ooh your chocolate chip muffin may be delicious Elizabeth !! Love the candle on it, and I´ve drink chocolate tea once, it´s very good. Love your Bearthday celebration, Happy T-day!
I love your placemat and napkin.
How beautiful the cards you have received, beautiful post stamps too, and that picture is fantastic! What could be inside the box ?
I wish you have a very nice day dear friend, stay safe and healthy, and big hugs,
Caty

J said...

Happy Bearthday celebrations Elizabeth, choc chip muffin, my favourite.
How lovely to have pressies and cards , looking forward to seeing what’s in the box! Your painting looks interesting.
Not sure about chocolate tea though!
Have a lovely day and keep safe, sending bearthday hugs
Jan x

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what a fabulous bEARTHday celebration! So nice of Sally to have got you the chocolate muffins and I hope you made a wish blowing out the candle 😀. So many amazing cards and gifts too, I can't wait to see what was in the box from RO maybe a rocking horse ...lol 😉. Happy T Day wishes! Keep well! Hugs, Jo x

Darla said...

Happy Birthday my friend. I wish We could enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake together. Meanwhile though, have a wonderful day and the start of another creative year.

Divers and Sundry said...

Happy Birthday! You enjoyed quite the celebration :) Such fun!

RO said...

That chocolate birthday muffin sure looked tasty, and chocolate tea to go with it? Yay! That pic from Scott was pretty amazing. The cool thing about being friends with artists from around the world are the amazing handmade treasures they create. So beautiful, and the gift card was wonderful. Glad you enjoyed your special day, and here's hoping to going back out to restaurants soon. Hugs and more hugs, RO

Anne (cornucopia) said...

That chocolate muffin looked delicious, dear Elizabeth. Happy belated birthday! I like the assortment of goodies you received. And especially like those horse stamps that weren't cancelled. Not quite rocking horses, but still fantastic looking. Happy T-Day from me and Teddy!

pearshapedcrafting said...

This looks like great way to celebrate a birthday! The place setting, beautiful teacup and that chocolate muffin looks fabulous! What lovely cards and gifts! That canvas from Scott has enough detail in it to keep you looking every day for a good long while I think! Those stamps all look as lovely as the accompanying gifts too! Happy T Day! Chrisx

Eileen Bergen said...

t sounds like you had a lovely birthday, Elizabeth. Fabulous gift from Scott! Lots of fun cards and art goodies too.

Darn, I wanted to see what you got from Simon Says Stamp.

Belated Happy Birthday and Belated Happy T-Day! Eileen xx

Karen said...

Lot's of terrific birthday and Easter surprises ~ Wonderful! ~ I love how Dianne gave you permission to re-use her card, that's such a fun idea. I've written on an insert and put inside a card so the person can re-use too. Your muffin looks wonderful ~ Blessings on your week

My name is Erika. said...

First of all, a chocolate muffin is a celebration. It is my favorite. I like the candle. You might as well start your day with a party-great idea. And nice cards along with gifts, and definitely that gift from your friend Scoot is really amazing. What a cool piece of art. I'm glad you shared it with us today. Sorry I am so late stopping by. It's been a busy day at my work computer. Hope it was a happy T day. Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Has anyone had trouble visiting Karen at Creative Seconds? The Word Press site wants me to create an account with them, even after I shared my google account. That hasn't happened before. IF anyone sees this and gets hold of Karen, please let her know what the problem is.

craftytrog said...

Wonderful cards and treats Elizabeth!
Thanks for sharing.
Alison xx

Dianne said...

Whoa, a Heironymous Bosch!!? I love his artwork. Quite gruesome in some respects, but amazing. Glad to see you had a fun birthday celebration. Yay for chocolate muffins!