We finally switched to WordPress and love the new look; we hope you do too! Please make sure you subscribe to our blog posts so that you don’t miss all the latest and greatest! It took so long to convert that I took some time off to recoup. Happy Spring, everyone! It’s finally here and we’re in May already and I can’t get enough of it! Everyone is so busy getting ready for more busy. Thank goodness we have winter to regenerate ourselves and get geared up for this exciting season filled with so much earth and sun and salt air.
We’re just in time to wish my beautiful Mom a happy 62nd birthday and I wanted to dedicate this post to her because she brings so much joy to me, my family and so many other families here in Maine. She has been a devoted daycare provider to more than 300 children over the span of 30 years and she continues with her work to this day. Her undying love of children and immense dedication and patience has made her a saint in my eyes, aside from being a truly loving and giving Mom and ‘Nona’ to our children. We are so blessed to have her in our lives.
I am reminded of her 60th birthday party that we celebrated just two short years ago when I started my business. When my sister and I were considering ideas for this monumental event we considered what she favors today and in recent years, that also provides a direct connection to her past. She grew up listening to the band ‘Abba ‘ because it was her father’s favorite, and thus became hers, and ultimately one of mine when I was little. We thought about a getaway weekend where the three of us go to New York City for a girl’s weekend to see ‘Mama Mia’ live on Broadway, but with so many family members wanting to participate, it would have been like planning two parties in one. We opted for a local party with a Mama Mia theme, on an island, giving her a partial experience…at least the part where family members are greeted with fantastic excitement, floral leis, Greek food and Abba music.
SO incredibly hard to keep the party from Mama, but her surprise! face was pretty good.
Family members from our home state, Vermont came to pay tribute to this wonderful person that we all love so very much. The fifteen minute ferry ride to Peaks Island built anticipation for meeting family members we rarely see. My aunt brought leis for everyone to make the welcome feel very much like the movie.
Mom was greeted by a ‘mini shrine’ of black and white images caught over the years, with brightly colored blue vases and pink carnations and yellow button mums. The backdrop was a take on the scene from the movie of beautiful linens hanging from clothes line, only this one included copies of the invitation.
We chose the venue with the closest proximity to the ferry and the prettiest view, Harbor View at Peaks Island. Here is a shot of the beautiful deck that overlooks Casco Bay. We wanted the deck to feel welcoming, bright and comfy for the 20 attendees. This deck can accommodate more than 100 for dinner, so we added curtains, a rug and furnishings to make the space more inviting and appropriate for the guest size.
We handmade all of the brightly colored table cloths for the event.
Although Mario Batali had no part in this event, his dish towels complimented the place setting beautifully :).
My sister made the most beautiful montage of my Mother’s work over the years:
How can you have a Mama Mia party and not have a completely crazy 70’s style photo booth?? Thanks One Stop Party Shop for all the groovy costumes and super rad disco ball…
Dinner consisted of Spanikopita, olives, imported feta, hummus and lots of various meat on a stick prepared by the creative minds of The Black Tie Company.
We each toasted a well thought out verse or poem on aging to keep Mama in check with ouzo…opa!
Here are a few more of my favorites from this very memorable event. A big thank you to my friend Sharyn Peavey for taking this special images, and taking wonderful care to create the video at the link address at the bottom of the post:
See the lovely and sweet video here: Mama Mia 60th Birthday Party
Happy 62nd Birthday, Mama! xoxo
A Family Affair Design Blog 
A great trip down memory lane.
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Paula – you make me cry. This was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. You make me so proud. This is what I have lived for. To see all of your accomplishes come togather and all of your hard work. You are really something very special and God has given you such love for how you want to be that you will truely go far. I am so thankful to have you as my daughter and friend. I will love you forever, Mom
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