Chapter 66, Page 48
Let me just say, right up front, that my birthday on Saturday was just about the best one I’ve ever had. I went for an early morning run, I got to spend the early part of the day on our town common, working at the Kiwanis table side by side with Jo-Ann, my husband’s band sang Happy Birthday to me, and then I spent the evening at a wonderful party celebrating my installation as President of East Bridgewater Kiwanis.
80 of my nearest and dearest were there along with me and it was wonderful to see all my worlds collide in one room. There were my fellow Kiwanians, of course, along with my family, friends from high school, friends from college, friends from work and blogging, friends from town, and my awesome friend and mentor who flew in from Florida to surprise me. I was completely and utterly verklempt.
The party was held at the brand new (our event was their first evening event yet!) Miraval Ballroom at the Mockingbird Restaurant and Martini Bar. The room is stunning and we decorated with a book theme.
There were books for centerpieces, along with beautiful cut summer flowers that my sister-in-law Mary procured for me.
There were book decorations on the cupcakes and the cupcake table. And the cupcakes – oh, the cupcakes! Raspberry and Lemontini and Chocolate Salted Caramel and Pumpkin Pie and even Nutella with Bacon. They were made by Buttercup’s Bakery and they were fabulous!
And there were garlands made from pages we cut out of a book. Yes, we destroyed a book to make those garlands. If it makes you feel any better it was a crappy book.
We also made these awesome little favors from Hershey nuggets. Don’t they look like sweet little books?
The service at the Mockingbird was fantastic – the waitstaff passed hors d’oeuvres and the bartender kept the martinis flowing. They surprised me with a beautiful complimentary birthday cake and I honestly hope I will get the chance to work with them again on another event some day.
For now, though, I’m basking in the afterglow of a successful party. This feeling ought to last until about 6:30pm on Thursday night when I pick up the gavel and ring the bell at my first Kiwanis meeting as President – that’s when the real work begins!
P.S. The title of this post references the fact that this was the 66th Annual Installation Ceremony of the Kiwanis Club of East Bridgewater along with the fact that it was my 48th birthday. Aren’t we clever?
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I’m so glad all your worlds collided in such a perfect explosion of friends, family, song, celebration, and lovely FUN. Congratulations, Carole! (Or – should I say – Madame President???) XOXOXO
I am so very glad that I was able to celebrate with you on Saturday, and to hand you your very first martini of your Kiwanis presidency! Cheers to many more birthday celebrations (and martinis) together 🙂
Happy Birthday, and congratulations!!!
From now on we’ll all stand as you walk into the room! You are going to be a great president for the Kiwanis Club and deserve the best celebration. The party looks marvelous!! xoxox
Well wasn’t that a great coincidence! The party looked like a huge success and you are going to make a wonderful president! Congratulations on both Carole 🙂
I am constantly amazed by you creative energy.
Utterly fabulous! If you need yet another activity, you could be a professional party planner. Love the book theme – and its execution.
Congratulations Carole! Friends, family, martinis, cupcakes and BOOKS! That is a celebration.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday! What a wonderful celebration!
You are definitely clever. Was the book theme your idea? What a grand weekend and what a happy way to celebrate friends, family, and your birthday!
Sounds like such fun, and it was so clever! I love the picture of you with (some of) your family.
Congratulations! Everything looked beautiful!!
Looks and sounds like a great party! I love the book theme, and there are some (not many) books that I definitely feel it is okay to destroy in the name of good decorating 😉 Congratulations!
So glad you had such a wonderful birthday/installation. Your book theme decorations are amazingly awesome; they make me want to throw a party just so I can use some of them. Now I have to go look for a Nutella with bacon cake recipe!
Sweet! I knew it would turn out!
Did you taste all the cupcake flavors?? How could you pick just one? 😉
Perfect as possible! Carole, you are such a treasure on so many levels. I’m glad your weekend was as you had hoped!!
Happiest of birthdays! You’re going to have a fantastic year, no doubt about it. Congratulations and good luck!
Congratulations on your installation, and Happy Birthday!
What a great night and everything looks great. Very creative ideas.
Wow! You are a lucky woman Carole! Happy Birthday- and it’s obvious that it was indeed a very happy one! You deserve all the great things you have!
Sorry I missed your Bday but, it looks like you had a wonderful time. So happy for you and congrats on your installation and Happy Birthday – late.
what a lovely party! (I knew it would be, but the book details really made it special). congratulations!