Birthday Wishes

I know that yesterday I said I'd spend the week on baby shower projects, but I had forgotten (at the time) that today is my mother-in-law's birthday — and a day like that can't go unrecognized!

SHOW

Unfortunately, she may think that I forgot her because the card and her gift won't arrive in her mailbox today. In fact, it won't arrive tomorrow... or the next day either. {sigh} In the busy-ness of last week, her card and gift didn't get made — so they're certainly not in the mail yet. But they will be soon — and she'll get them when she gets back from a little trip she's getting ready to take. But, fortunately, she reads my blog — so today when she checks it out she'll find that I didn't forget her after all. I just let my life get out of control and am taking the opportunity to extend her birthday beyond the actual date. :)

Edited to add:  I forgot to mention that I used the current Card Patterns Sketch #78 as my starting point for this card.

AND TELL:  stamps are from Verve (Wishful Elegance); cardstock is Papertrey Ink (Stampers Select White) and Stampin' Up (Vellum, Daffodil Delight); patterned paper is October Afternoon (from the Farm Fresh collection); ink is SU (Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray) and PTI (Aqua Mist); ribbon is from Michaels; also used a Sizzix embossing folder (Starry Night) and SU punches (Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Trim Corner, and 1/2" Circle).

Now, at the risk of making things confusing by mixing sides of the family, I'm going to show you a few pictures from my Oregon trip to visit my mom and brother.

The first day that I was there I just spent some time soaking in the farm environment around my mom's house...

and my brother's house across the road...

 
Oops! Wrong picture (haha!). That's where they dry the nuts from the orchard. Here's the house he really lives in. 

 
It was our grandpa's house. And our great grandparents' house. It's where our dad was raised. And now my brother is the fourth generation of our family to live in it. And it looks better than I ever remember it looking. He's doing a great job of fixing up the old place!

We walked around the orchard, inspecting the apple pie tree (Granny Smith)...

and the applesauce tree (can't remember the variety — they just use it for making applesauce)...

We also checked out the walnut, filbert (AKA hazelnut), purple plum, pear, and yellow plum trees.

I had to sample a yellow plum...

 
mmm... so juicy and sweet. Why do I always forget how much I like plums? 

I toured the gardens:

my brother's...

and my mom's vegetables...

her roses...

and gladiolus...

 
Her hydrangeas...

and fuschia...

Oh, and the surrounding wheat fields...  

awaiting harvest...

 
{sigh} Such a beautiful part of this nation. I love Oregon. Can't wait to show you more.

But, now let's put the focus back where it belongs today... on the beautiful birthday girl!

Have a Happy, Happy Birthday, Mom Hayes! We love you!! (And your card and gift will be on their way soon...)   

Comments

[SueB]

Great photos. Truly love the birthday card - so beautiful. Oregon is indeed a beautiful state. Love the coast.

[Vicky]

The first thing that struck me about your card was the unusual colour scheme - I absolutely love it! Thanks for showing us your travel photos, they're just beautiful. The nut house made me laugh out loud and the rest of the pictures just made me realise that I NEED to go to Oregon - just like I NEED that new stamp set!

[Agata]

Wow!!! What a beautiful card! This ribbon is so yummy! Thanks for playing along with Card Patterns this week!

[Maureen P]

love this card!!!!fabulous colours....and that bow!!!! YUMMY!!!! Lovely photos, too...you really have a knack:)

[Heather Jensen]

Such a lovely card. She will love it. Thanks for playing this week at Card Patterns.

Your pictures are wonderful. I love seeing other states and what they look like. The picture of the nut house looks like something I would say about my brother. :)

[Tracy]

Gorgeous card and such wonderful photos!! Looks like you had a great time visiting your family.

[Stephanie Perry]

Very beautiful card! Hope your MIL enjoys it. Congrats on being in the top 6 for CP78! I live in Sherwood, Oregon, so I recognize that you are likely in one of the valleys south of me. Lovely photos, how very wonderful you were able to grow up on such a wonderful farm and that it remains in your family.