Tuesday 4 November 2014

Happy Birthday to Me :)


It's my birthday today and as you can see, the festivities have already begun! I'm more of a savoury person than a sweet person, so although this is a lovely start, I have to admit that I'm more looking forward to a family lunch. As for that, I have no idea what we're having. My DD is in charge and I am blissfully unawares (except for the clattering coming from the kitchen). Birthdays are like our very own New Year's and my own birthday is always a time when I think about the year that was and the year to come. This year I'm thinking about how busy I've been - it's been an extraordinary year and I have spent every single day (apart from days off for the flu) working at 'something' full time. It never seems to end. As soon as I nearly finish one thing, another starts up. I always thought that getting older would somehow coincide with a a slowing down, but I don't feel this to be the case in my own life. As a matter of fact, I even get up earlier in the mornings than I used to - which defies explanation!

The reason I'm blogging today is because I wanted to take a moment, on one of the significant days in my year, to thank you for visiting my blog and being a blog reader. Blogging has really helped me stay accountable to my WIPs and inspired me to share my creativity and for that, I am truly thankful. I had no idea when I started blogging that it would become a worldwide friendship group that motivates my work and keeps me thinking always ahead to new projects. Thank you blog readers, you really inspire me and I mean it when I say, 'I'm glad you're here'

I also want to thank members of my Yahoo BOM Group. It looks so easy to leave a comment or upload a photo but anyone who blogs knows that these things take time - and I appreciate the time members take to be involved in the group. There's always photos and messages of support making the rounds as well as a kind word or helpful suggestion. Its such a nice place to be - and those things don't happen by accident. Thank you for being a part of it.

I'd also like to thank the Moderator's in the Group. They are all wonderful quilters with busy lives and projects on the go, but they volunteer their time to keep things running smoothly. It's a mostly thankless task and I think it's incredible that they are so generous with their time.

Anna Marieke, Glenda, Bunny, Pat and Jane - you have all been and are such a wonderful and supportive part of me being able to release my BOMs and I am deeply grateful for and to each of you for the time you have been and are being available in this role- you are the backbone of the Group. Without you and the hours you selflessly give to all of us, and have given to us for periods of time, I simply wouldn't be able to share and distribute my BOMs. Thank you so much for all that you do and have done.


Life is a precious and temporary gift. We have such a short time given to us that I always feel we should take every opportunity to share what we can, when we can, just because we can.

Just yesterday I was talking to my DDs about what it means to be blessed. I have always tried my best to teach my DDs that if you are blessed in something, you should do all you can to share that blessing. We all have skills which come somewhat naturally for us and I am lucky in that I have found a way in my own life to do something that I enjoy and can accomplish. There are plenty of things I'm not so good at - but which I still try and enjoy- and in those things I'm always grateful to the people who extend themselves enough to share their skills and what they know so that I can learn a little too.

This blog is a part of my life and the people who read it are a part of what I do too; so today I'd like to thank you all for being part of my birthday and for making this blog and my Yahoo BOM Group such friendly and supportive online places to be. It's wonderful.

Thank you!

38 comments:

  1. Esther congratulations and many years in health and happiness. ineke from the Netherlands

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  2. Happy Birthday and yum yum ...where's the recipe? I enjoy your blog very much although I rarely comment, but I'm a faithful reader. still working on the Love Entwined at a snail's pace. I will persist!

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  3. Happy Birthday .have a wonderful day

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  4. Happy Birthday, Esther! I don't know how old you are but if you're still busy I think you must be still young. You have to give life another twenty years before you're old enough to start slowing down! I hope you had a wonderful lunch. And thank you for all you do for the quilting and blogging communities.

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  5. Happy Birthday! Hope you have a fantastic year! Thanks for all you share with us.

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  6. Happy Birthday Ester! enjoy your day and thank you for providing us with all of your beautiful patterns...I'm following the LE series and although I yet to start mine, it is there in my mind what I would like to achieve with this project...so again thank you for inspiring so many of us to make your truly beautiful projects!

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  7. Hope you've had a wonderful day ... Happy birthday!

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  8. Happy Birthday Esther, and thank you for being an inspiration to me and many others. I greatly admire your skills, and although I haven't embarked on any of your designs yet, I suspect that I might in a few years time. You create beautiful works of art, and are very generous to share your talents with a wider audience. Thank you, and have a lovely day.

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  9. Happy Birthday Esther. I have been one of your blog readers since LE was launched. You inspire me much and for this I am grateful. I hope to eventually get started on my LE when my life slows down a bit.
    blessings from Canada

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  10. Happy Birthday to you, Esther! I hope you had a wonderful day. I hope you will report back on your birthday lunch...I am intrigued by your DD in the kitchen. Thank you for sharing your talents and giving your gift to all of us around the world in beautiful quilts.and patterns that we are enjoying. May you have a joyful "new" year to come.

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  11. Such a beautiful soul comes through in your blog and you draw people to your happy place because of your generosity. Happy Birthday. Have a blessed year and thank you for your constant willingness to share.

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  12. Happy Birthday, Esther! Hope you have a great day and thank you for sharing your wonderful patterns.

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  13. dear esther,happy birthday and thanks for your wonderful patterns.i wish you health and happiness,susi

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  14. Happy Birthday, Esther and may you have many more. You are such an inspiration!

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  15. Happy birthday Esther!
    I wish you a wonderful joyful day.
    " een hele fijne verjaardag"
    Hugs,
    Esther

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  16. Happy birthday Esther - and may you have many years of sharing skills and blessings to come!

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  17. Happy birthday, Esther. I hope you have a wonderful day!

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  18. Happy Birthday Esther, enjoy your day and best wishes for the next year.

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  19. Happy Birthday dear Esther. Hope you're having a lovely day.

    Thanks for your kind words about your moderators.
    Hugs,
    Anne Marieke

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  20. Happy Birthday Esther, enjoy your lunch.
    Kerry

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  21. Special birthday wishes from me too. I'm another who enjoys reading your blog and seeing the stages of your beautiful work.

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  22. A very happy birthday to you, dear Esther. I do hope you are not going to slow down as you get older, but continue to inspire us all with your beautiful designs and work. You have given so much, much more than you realise, and I hope that you will have a wonderful year ahead of you!

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  23. all the very best, and any happy returns of the day, Sharyn

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  24. Baie geluk met jou verjaarsdag, Esther! Mag die jaar vorentoe vir jou baie geluk, vreugde en vrede bring. Baie dankie vir die pragtige LE.

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  25. Happy Birthday, Esther, make today special.

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  26. Happy Birthday Esther, today is my 53rd wedding anniversary so we will both be celebrating. We are going to dinner tonight, a special treat. Your DD is great for making your day special.
    Marge

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  27. Tres Joyeux Anniversaire Esther...ces gateaux semblent délicieux!!!
    FranceA, PassionPatchwork

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  28. Happy birthday, mine is this month to

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  29. Happy Birthday Esther. Thinking of you and hope it is a wonderful year till the next one. Cheers Glenda

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  30. Happy Birthday to a most generous and inspirational lady, best wishes and many happy returns.

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  31. Happy Burthday Esther I think I am a bit late I actually thought it was on the 8th. I hope you had the most wonderful day with your family. I am blessed that I can say you are a friend. Thanks for all you do.
    Hugs Bunny

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  32. Hope you had a wonderful birthday, Esther. I wish you much happiness.

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  33. Happy Birthday Esther, I wish you a happy and healthy new year. Thank you for being you.
    Warm wishes
    Wilma Malenstein

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  34. Happy Birthday to you! Thank you just for being you, x

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  35. Happy B'day!!! We should enjoy all the ones given to us. May your days be wonderful. (and I am sure they are since you are working on LE). Thanks for all the designs. You are so generous!!!

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