Hello, Crafters.
We had a delightfully lazy day yesterday celebrating our first wedding anniversary, with a list of things we could do if we felt like it! My first surprise was when I went into my studio to get my phone and found that hubby had propped an envelope up on my laptop with a small black jewellery box in front of it. Unknown to me at the time, he’d been waiting for me to go in my room and find them!
I looked up to see him standing by my side smiling. No surprises but I opened the small black box and found the cutest-ever solid silver bumblebee. It measures about 7/8″ x 1 1/4″. Not many people know this but when I first went self-employed with the publishers in the city of London, a new start-up international company (online) and Stampin’ Up! I called myself JanB Busy Bee. I thought it had a nice ring to it!
That was until someone said Busy Bee sounded like nursery or kindergarten! Fortunately by this time I was concentrating on SU so JanBCards was born! For us, the bee is still there in my name because when hubby and I hear JanB we hear JanBee. Next, I opened his anniversary card and it’s just so beautiful. Although it could have been made by hand, I don’t think it was because it doesn’t say so on the back.
The card was lined with kraft paper behind the paper cut design. From the reverse of the cut-out, there was a brown edging which looked like the design had been laser-cut.
Hubby had bought the card online and the company details are printed on the back. Hand made or not, it’s a gorgeous card. The next surprise for me was hubby told me there was going to be a delivery for me before midday. The flowers arrived at about 11.30 am and were packed in a box, with all the stems in a plastic tub which was filled with (I believe) soaked newspaper. They were in 1st-class condition!
I always try to use the ribbon that comes tied around flowers I receive – even if it means tying it round the actual stems because it could slide down the side of the vase!
My next surprise was a call from my daughter who asked if she could pop over with a card for us. Of course, I was thrilled to say yes and even more thrilled when she said granddaughter Molly would be coming with her! We sat out in the garden, social distancing, in the glorious sunshine, catching up with each other since the last time they popped over – about a week ago!
After Vicki and Molly left us, we sat in the garden relaxing, chatting and watching the goldfish in the pond with lots of bluer dragonflies flying around. Eventually, I asked hubby to show me the aubergine plant he’s growing in the greenhouse – it has the first aubergine which is about the size of a golf ball. I was surprised at how many flowers and flower buds there are, and I never knew how aubergines produce their fruit!
I’ve put notes under each individual photograph. There are six tomato plants in pots along the edge of the upper patio so I can look after them from the lower patio without bending over and upsetting my back! We did a bit more re-arranging of plants we have in pots but there isn’t much else we can because when the time is right we’re having a new lawn laid so we’ll be looking for a reliable gardener to do the work!
This photograph is a bit blurred but you can see towards the top right-hand two clusters of flower buds just behind the thick stems. There are groups of these all over this amazing plant!
What a beautiful flower? The stamens are covering what will become an aubergine! I think this is the most amazing flower I have ever seen!
Our day finished with a superb dinner cooked by hubby and a very relaxing evening. Today is back to normal but we both feel that our batteries have been fully recharged by such a relaxing, pressure-free day yesterday and are ready to face whatever challenges – if any – life may throw in our direction. I look forward to being back with you tomorrow and in the meantime please take care and stay safe, and of course, happy crafting!
JanB. xx
Sounds like s besutiful day for a beautiful couple. Congrstulatiins again to u both. Xx m m dj
Many thanks, Mal. It was an amazingly relaxing day, the sun was shining, and neither of us was working! I couldn’t have asked for anything else. xx
Happy anniversary from Australia love your work
Hi, Janet. Many thanks for your kind wishes. xx
How fantastic!! Loved your day. Not many husbands would go to such lengths to make it a perfect one! Well done & blessings to you both.
Christine
Many thanks, Christine. Hubby is definitely a thoughtful man at times like this, even if he struggles to remember the actual date! xx
Thank you Jan for sharing what sounds like a wonderful romantic day with your hubby to celebrate your first anniversary! Absolutely love the amazing day and card you received
Many thanks, Cathy. Hubby is amazing at shopping online and finding things that are a bit different. xx
A very Happy Anniversary Jan.. it seems just like yesterday I was reading about your wedding and your Stampin up cruise you went on shortly after your wedding.. so very happy for you both. Many Blessings for a long and happy life together💕🙏🏼💕
Many thanks, Sharie. They say time goes quickly when you’re having fun, and it certainly has for us. xx
Happy 1st wedding anniversary to you both, a lovely gift and card Jan. stay safe and well and thankyou for all your lovely tutorials x
Many thanks for your very kind wishes, Nancy. xx
An elegant, exciting celebration! Beautiful flowers – have you used those colors together in card making? I love the combination! Interesting how aubergines grow. Do you cook them? The bee is bee-ooo-tee-ful! I too am a “B” – “grannie B.” Thankyou for sharing the joy. Billie
Many thanks, Billie. It’s funny you should ask if I ever put those colours together! My answer would have been no but since joining SU and seeing the colours they put together sometimes would have had me throwing my hands up in horror but not now! xx
Congratulations on your anniversary! Seems like you found a good man.
Many thanks, Janet. You’re certainly not wrong there! 😀 xx
The bee is such a thoughtful gift!! Sounds like you had a lovely day. Happy Anniversary.
Many thanks, Gerri. You’ll see I’m using it as my signature in my photographs, now! 😀 xx
Happy Anniversary! May you be blessed with many more!
Many thanks, Marion. xx
Glad you had such a wonderful day, Jan. When you were talking about the aubergine plant I didn’t know what that was. Until you showed the picture and I thought that looks like an eggplant. So I googled it and it is. We raised them a couple of times in our southern Mississippi garden. I had not heard them called aubergine before. We used to slice them, batter and fry them. In the south they fry everything. lol. I live in Maine now and I don’t know if they would grow here. I once made an eggplant casserole but I must admit I preferred them fried. How will you eat them? Take care, Sheron
Many thanks, Sheron. Unfortunately, I don’t eat aubergines but hubby loves them. He’s the cook in our house and I don’t know how he cooks them. I am fascinated with the way they grow, though. I grew my own vegetables for years but I never tried aubergines! xx
I think you have a keeper there. We celebrated 51 last March, and I’m pretty sure we didn’t do anything. My hubby isn’t the type with surprises up his sleeve. I’ll give him 4 years to think of something for our 55th!😄
Happy anniversary JanB from JanH—Estes Park, Colorado.
Many thanks, Jan. Good heavens – 55 years! That’s fabulous. Congratulations! xx
What a beautiful Anniversary Day for you, Jan. Your husband is very thoughtful and loves you so much.
So happy you were able to celebrate the day in a nice way during this pandemic!!
Many thanks, Candy. Yes, he is definitely my best friend and my soulmate!xx
Such a lovely post! Happy Anniversary.
Claudia
Alabama
USA
Many thanks, Claudia. xx