Two weeks ago, little Snowdrop made her way into the world. So you could say that she has reached a milestone: she is two weeks old today!
Ah, but she must always share January, because on the 19th, thirty years ago, my little girl was born.
(and now she is 30)
And with multiple twists and surprises, her husband arranged a weekend of wonderful moments, including a chance for her family to gather on this day for a celebratory lunch. I hosted it -- at the farmhouse. Her dad drove up as well and so with Ed, we were eight: daughters with husbands, the older folk and of course little Snowdrop.
A brunch (or is it lunch if it's at noon?) of this magnitude takes time to prepare and so I was up until midnight and then again before dawn... (yes, Ed, I'll surely let the cheepers out!)
(hey, why are we up so early??)
... baking the requested cake (an old family favorite: almond, orange and chocolate) and, too, brioche loaves...
... roasting potatoes (these herbs grow magnificently all winter long on my eastern window sill):
... with a pause for a morning pre-breakfast with Ed, in the sun room:
Then back to the real meal prep -- plating all those baked goods, along with a brussel sprout and bacon frittata, plus the usual cheeses, melons, prosciuttos and celebratory beverages.
It was little Snowdrop's first party and first outing to someplace other than a doctor's office and of course, she radiated charm!
aunt, little Snowdrop, mom
in uncle's arms
Politely, she slept through the meal, so that the adults could engage in banter (we are known for an endless string of teases)...
She let everyone have a turn at holding her (there definitely was a line for that!), but was equally content to sit (well, more like slump) in her bouncy chair...
And so the party continued and my little girl opened gifts and blew out all 31 candles (in Poland, we always stick an extra one for the year ahead)...
... and it was such a joyous set of hours that I cannot fully grasp how a day could be this beautiful.
Just a few more photos -- because they conjure up moments of such tenderness for me...
mom, dad, little Snowdrop
aunt, uncle, little Snowdrop
Happy birthday, youngest daughter of mine! Yes, you are still my little one, no matter how many grand-babies perch on my lap!
And thank you, both of you, for driving such great distances to spend these precious hours with us!
Ah, but she must always share January, because on the 19th, thirty years ago, my little girl was born.
(and now she is 30)
And with multiple twists and surprises, her husband arranged a weekend of wonderful moments, including a chance for her family to gather on this day for a celebratory lunch. I hosted it -- at the farmhouse. Her dad drove up as well and so with Ed, we were eight: daughters with husbands, the older folk and of course little Snowdrop.
A brunch (or is it lunch if it's at noon?) of this magnitude takes time to prepare and so I was up until midnight and then again before dawn... (yes, Ed, I'll surely let the cheepers out!)
(hey, why are we up so early??)
... baking the requested cake (an old family favorite: almond, orange and chocolate) and, too, brioche loaves...
... roasting potatoes (these herbs grow magnificently all winter long on my eastern window sill):
... with a pause for a morning pre-breakfast with Ed, in the sun room:
Then back to the real meal prep -- plating all those baked goods, along with a brussel sprout and bacon frittata, plus the usual cheeses, melons, prosciuttos and celebratory beverages.
It was little Snowdrop's first party and first outing to someplace other than a doctor's office and of course, she radiated charm!
aunt, little Snowdrop, mom
in uncle's arms
Politely, she slept through the meal, so that the adults could engage in banter (we are known for an endless string of teases)...
She let everyone have a turn at holding her (there definitely was a line for that!), but was equally content to sit (well, more like slump) in her bouncy chair...
And so the party continued and my little girl opened gifts and blew out all 31 candles (in Poland, we always stick an extra one for the year ahead)...
... and it was such a joyous set of hours that I cannot fully grasp how a day could be this beautiful.
Just a few more photos -- because they conjure up moments of such tenderness for me...
mom, dad, little Snowdrop
aunt, uncle, little Snowdrop
Happy birthday, youngest daughter of mine! Yes, you are still my little one, no matter how many grand-babies perch on my lap!
And thank you, both of you, for driving such great distances to spend these precious hours with us!
