Tea Parties and Fellowship

Tuesday morning, ladies from across Polk County and Dover all gathered in the Stricklen home to celebrate Callie's 16th birthday.

Shortbread cookies waiting to be delivered to the Stricklen's house What makes you think I have been picking? ;)

It is a sort of custom in the Frodge Clan to celebrate this special occasion by having a tea. Callie chose a 1930-1950's theme, so everyone arrived wearing hats and gloves.

We began the afternoon by greeting friends, and exchanging stories of where we found this hat or that dress.... :)

Grandmama said a special blessing on the food and Callie, and the tea commenced.

Delicate sandwiches, scrumptious fruit salad, iced tea... What a lovely dinner!

Callie, Rachel, Ariana, Christiana, Gracie, and Mary

(One person missing.. Hmmmm... who could it be?)
Kitty, Danielle, Faith, Olivia, Jessica, Grace and Abigail

Grace, Abigail and Kitty

The Birthday Girl and I
A more normal view of the table

The Mothers and Grandmothers
The Little Girls

Our table enjoyed a game of Telephone after our meal.

....I love roses....

...I love roses....

....love poses....

...love the poses...

.....supposes...
...uboses???....

After everyone had finished eating, Mary and Grace organized a mini concert. Some of us girls played or sang a piece they had been working on.

Grace and Callie charmed everyone with an Italian opera piece, Faith, Christiana, Ariana, and Jessica performed on the piano, and yours truly played a violin duet with Grace.

Callie singing while Grace accompanies her.
Christiana Faith played a lovely song (I can't remember the name)
The attentive audience
Grandmama listening


Silly friends

Ariana, Christiana, Callie, Rachel and Mary

Discher Ladies

Emma Jane enjoyed herself
Oh my! A boy!! At a girls party!

Stricklen LadiesElegant Callie

Mama and Emma
Later in the afternoon, we all moved to the patio for refreshing trifles, cookies, lemon bars and punch.

It was very breezy, and we had quite a few hats blow away.

Kitty and Jessica

At about 6:00, everyone got into comfortable clothes, and started some volleyball. :)

A storm began brewing...

It never did hit us, but it looked really neat, and it really cooled us all off.

Some of the girls took stretching lessons from Gracie.

Wednesday, we had the Bowen family over.

It was a very fun evening. Victoria, Gracie and Patricia enjoy each other's company.

Markie snapped a quick picture of Michael and Emma fork fighting.
Katherine and Rosie had their own private dinner in us girl's room. As usual... Emma was the favorite partner of the gentlemen present.
The boys in Pete's room.
Mrs. Bowen and Mama

A unique view of the squirrel Peter skinned