A lot of parties can be pretty, but it takes the people to make it fun! At the beginning of the event my mom spoke in front of everyone, outlining the day, welcoming, etc. She held up a little kite and asked us to ponder . . . what fun is a kite sitting there all on it's own. In order to enjoy the kite you have to run with it. You have to play, smile, have fun. And that's what she hoped we would all do today. Rather than sitting back waiting for someone else to entertain you, you need to get up, participate, and create your experience. And when we all do that, when we all smile, have a good time, share, laugh, teach, inspire . . . . then you will have a happy day.
Be happy!
I want to share some of the cuties from the party and how they made it a happy day . . . .
Chef Sam. First off, my brother has grown into a pretty awesome (and need I say, handsome) man. He has become quite the cook over the years and makes amazing desserts, cakes, and dinners. He taught an appetizer class to the group of women and his knowledge about food and cooking blows me away. We all gained a greater understanding of balsamic vinegar that day.
I volunteered to be a helper during his class, so I had to wear a paper chef's hat. Sweet!
Scroll down through THIS POST and you can download his appetizer recipes.
My cutie girlfriends. Of course, these ladies made it an extra special happy day for me. My mom set up several stations throughout the property for fun photo ops and we took advantage of the opportunity to strike a pose.
We even got Mindy's guitarist, Spencer Harrison, to join us for a few photos after the event.
Mindy Gledhill. A year ago when my mom began toying with the idea to bring Mindy to the spring event I thought "Really? But this is just a little garden party?" Thankfully she is the dreamer, the one with the big ideas and Mindy was the perfect addition to this little (big) garden party. (Last time attendance was 75, this year it was 175).
I've seen Mindy perform twice before -- in Oregon and at Spark. She is just simply adorable. If you haven't heard her music, go buy her album Anchor right now and thank me later.
She brought her 9 month old baby, Griffin, with her. He was just so super sweet and squishy. Mindy is so personable and friendly and gracious. Happily agreeing to have her photo taken hundreds of times and signing CD after CD. (I got to be her sales cashier and this group wiped out her inventory.) I can only imagine how tiring it is to have a perma-grin on your face all day, but she takes it all in stride.
Her performance was magical as always. Her voice reminds me of a trilling little bird, and in this outdoor atmosphere it was even more enchanting.
She dedicated this last song "I Do Adore" to Teresa's granddaughters. (How fun would it have been for Anna to be there! But, this was a kid-free getaway . . . )
Like I said we enjoyed her company, we sat with her & Spencer at lunch, we held Griffin, we visited more at the after-party fiesta, took silly photos with her, Jenn attempted to take some silly photos with Mindy's phone (naughty girl) . . . . so I think we're all BFF's now. :)
I think she also really enjoyed her time at the event. She wrote about it on her blog HERE.
Norma. There was a little contest during the event. We all voted on who we thought was dressed the best to match the theme - Vintage Spring Sorbet. Well, this sweet lady won and rightfully so!
Don't you love her matching pale peach dress & hat! And the glitter shoes! If only you could see them in person. A few days later she e-mailed my mom with a poem that she had written. I think it describes the event perfectly!
Teresa (mom), Ruth, Sandi. They are the masterminds, organizers, planners, seamstresses, and sorbet makers behind this beautiful event.
And as I mentioned in another post they are so cute together . . . it's fun to see how friendships/connections with other women grow over time. You find your trues, stick together, and create wonderful lasting relationships through all the seasons of life.
They are good examples and their happiness, their light, their talent, their spark can't help but rub off onto others. They made us all feel special and pampered.
A few comments heard around the event . . . .
"I think I am going to be disappointed when I get to heaven, because it is right here!"
"This is better than Time Out for Women." I would completely agree.
A woman who planned to pop in for just a little while, but instead stayed the whole time: "I just couldn't leave. My heart wouldn't let me."
We all felt the love.
Here I am a week later and my heart is missing it too. It was simply wonderful and I can't say enough good things about it. I'm glad that I got to be a part of it. I'm glad that I already had this on the calendar when we moved, so I could have something to look forward to. I'm glad that I have awesome friends and that my parents think they're pretty great too (their adopted daughters for the weekend).
Lots of love, lots of memories, lots of connections, lots of inspiration, lots of fun.
My bucket is full!
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The Vintage Spring Sorbet was a spring event held on April 28th in Catheys Valley, California. A bundle of vintage fun, color, and beauty with music performed by Mindy Gledhill. And of course plenty of sorbet. Everyone left inspired, lifted up, and with happy hearts!
Read more about the event HERE
