Beginning of Birthday Weekend

Lane stopped by for dinner on her way from Massachusetts back to DC, and we had a great dinner. We ordered lobster rolls; she had stopped at Two Little Red Hens for carrot cake cupcakes and brought a bottle of proseco. I drank two glasses, the most alcohol I've had in months and got ever so lightly buzzed.

For my birthday, she brought me a beautiful flowering plant,, the candle below that has a glass base with loose stones and she told me she has one and the friend who gave her her candle said that the stones represent all the people who love you and you are the light in the middle.

She also gave me this beautiful handknitted shawl which was made by a ladies' ministry where her mother lives in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The shawl came with this card:

Dear Friend,

This is a prayer shawl -- your wings to take you above your troubles. Wrap it around you when you're sad, happy, needing comfort, cold, ill, worried, at peace, needing answers, have no questions, ministering, socializing or praying.

The stitches have been knit in a pattern of three to represent the Trinity. This wrap has been blessed by the hands and intentions of the knitter. It holds many prayers and good wishes.

As you wear this shawl, may you be cradled in hope, kept in joy, graced with peace, and wrapped in love.

"May the Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."

With many blessings,
The Prayer Shawl Ministry Knitter
Old North Church of Marblehead

I'm wearing it now and feeling peaceful.

And the photos:

The candle which we lit for dinner. YOu can't really see, but the little glass stones are white and blue.

Lobster roll and cole slaw for dinner

Carrot Cake Birthday Cake

The creator of the party, Lane