Our baby celebrated her 21st birthday with a little help from some of her nieces and nephews.
Flowers from my garden decorated a yellow cake with her favorite Fluffy Chocolate Frosting
Raider creatively arranged the pillow for his snooze on the sofa.
In the spring we contacted our township about a tree at the curb that was in decline. They arrived today to remove it.
The township planted trees in our neighborhood many years ago and sadly some of them are now in need of removal.
I saw what is probably one of the last hummers of the season at the feeder.
And something that makes me very happy…
I got my new-to-me car in the garage!
The past few weeks I have been working diligently downsizing and disposing of things we don’t need.
I have gone through every closet, nook and cranny.
It feels much better already and reminds me of a song from a while back that I loved by Sara Groves and Joel Hanson called Traveling Light.
Well I was doubling over the load on my shoulders
Was a weight I carried with me everyday
Crossing miles of frustrations and rivers a raging
Picking up stones I found along the way
I staggered and I stumbled down
Pathways of trouble
I was hauling those souvenirs of misery
And with each step taken my back was breaking
‘Til I found the One who took it all from me
Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light
Through the darkest alleys and loneliest valleys
I was dragging those heavy chains of doubt and fear
Then with the one word spoken the locks were broken
Now He’s leading me to places
Where there are no tears
Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light
Down by the riverside
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light
Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light
Was a weight I carried with me everyday
Crossing miles of frustrations and rivers a raging
Picking up stones I found along the way
I staggered and I stumbled down
Pathways of trouble
I was hauling those souvenirs of misery
And with each step taken my back was breaking
‘Til I found the One who took it all from me
Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light
Through the darkest alleys and loneliest valleys
I was dragging those heavy chains of doubt and fear
Then with the one word spoken the locks were broken
Now He’s leading me to places
Where there are no tears
Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light
Down by the riverside
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light
Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light
Traci says
I'm playing catch up with my blog reading. That cakes looks delicious!!! I miss our hummers. I love to watch them but they're all gone. Even though it's still in the 80's here.
podso says
Such a wonderful feeling, isn't it? that's on my to do list now that I have retired. I can't wait to get started after I paint a room.
Your cake looks so pretty. I like the chocolate on chocolate writing!
Tammy says
Happy belated to your daughter. I remember my 21st birthday very well.
Always sad when trees have to go. Around the block there were a bunch of big beautiful trees that someone cut down. Don't know why but now the area is so bear and awful looking — just an expanse of dirt and concrete.
Nice song … I need to get rid of lots and lots and lots of stuff. Guess it will happen a little at a time.
Best wishes, Tammy
Danice says
Happy belated birthday to your daughter. My, they grow up fast, don't they? Her cake was so beautiful. Did you make it?
Maple Lane says
Happy Birthday Abbey. Her cake is beautiful and sounds delicious.
How nice to be able to park indoors with winter just around the corner.
Sandy says
Happy 21st to dear Abbey. The cake looks absolutely delicious. I love anything chocolate. I haven't heard that song in a while but I really like it a lot.
Ann says
Happy Birthday to Abbey. Her cake looks delicious.
I need to do some cleaning out here as well. I've started but still so much more to do
Maryann says
Lightening the load must be a change of season thing because I have been doing much the same thing….i have stuck with drawers and closets for the time being…that was scary enough, not quite ready for the garage. i just brought my last hummer feeder in today, it's been a week since I have seen one…fall is indeed here
Walking on Sunshine says
Happy Birthday to your girl! Too sad about the tree but happy the township could remove it for you without that added cost. Enjoy!
lindsey says
Yummy cake for a lovely daughter. Glad you got your car in the garage!
I really like the song, I have never heard of this duet before. I will look for more form them.
Melanie says
Happy Birthday to your daughter!! 21 is a special birthday! The cake was very pretty!
Have been trying to clean out some things here too, what a job! Loved your pics! The pic of Raider made me laugh!
Just a little something from Judy says
Happy Birthday to your daughter! The cake you created for her is so pretty!
I agree with you in that downsizing and clearing out is quite freeing. That old song fits perfectly.
marie says
I yearn to be traveling light…both physically and spiritually. One day at a time!
I've not heard this song before…I like it.
Happy Birthday to Abbey!
Barbara F. says
Happy Birthday to Abby, your birthday cake looks so good and I bet it tastes delicious. Good luck with the new car. Downsizing is very freeing. xo
FABBY'S LIVING says
Happy birthday to your DD, wow, 21, it's so special a birthday for sure! May God bless her new year and guide her path in the right direction. The picture is beautiful with the b'day girl and the little ones. Cake looks yummy too! Beautiful song and yes, my mom valunteers at a poor hospital where she sells good cloths people don't wear anynmore for funds for the hospital. Every year we gather cloths we haven't weared in so long and give it away. Have a great week.
FABBY
Pondside says
Happy Birthday to your dear girl – 21 is such a milestone!
Like you, I have been clearing out – three boxes to St Vincent de Paul Society on the weekend, and it felt so good. I love this song – it's playing as I type. I'm going to try to 'be travellin' light'.