Well Bust My Buttons!

Fifteen years ago my grandma started a tradition called "Girls Night In," it was an opportunity for all the ladies in the family to get together before she and my grandpa went south for the winter.  She always looked forward to our shut in party and would make little treat bags for everyone who came.  Before I made my appearance at the party on Saturday I stopped at the cemetery to drop off a wine cooler,  I just wanted to include her somehow in the festivities that she started so many years ago.

I felt very much at peace as I stood there looking out at the open field, letting the wind hit my face.  I was reflecting on happier times, her laugh and the way she said my name...I can still hear it in my mind.  A few tears somehow turned into full on sobbing and just then the sun came out from behind the clouds as it began setting so I stood there letting the rays warm my face and I really felt she was trying to assure me she was there in spirit.

I know they know we grieve for them still but continuing on with our family traditions and moving forward is something they would want all of us girls to do. 

The rules for the evening were to bring a Pinterest inspired weight watcher friendly dish, I was glad to see that everything actually looked edible and not like a nasty old piece of cardboard (as low calorie food can sometimes be).

I take that back, there was one item on my plate that could only be described as a dried up old cow pie.  I even invited one of my animal cracker friends into the photo so you could see for yourselves that it for sure was a pile of crap.

{chocolate cupcake mixed with pumpkin - no oil, egg, sugar}

We were all supposed to bring a Pinterest inspired craft but six of the seven of us failed horribly.  Thankfully my aunt Amy saved the day by busting out a handful of picture frames and grandma's old button collection!  I was beyond excited...

Passing around the button box took some time and everyone finished at different times so we had quite a while to chit chat about everything that had been going on in everyone's lives including Alissa's upcoming wedding!

{Alissa don't craft ~ she dranks}

 

{I took the longest because I had to pick out the perfect buttons}

 

{Photoshop Fun}

Alissa Jo brought a slush made with cranberry juice, orange drink and vodka and for somebody who doesn't drink often, that little concoction was going down hatch one after another.  After our crafts were finished we played cards and listened to some old school tunes and even belted out our very own rendition of Lean On Me as a group!  Again, maybe it was the slush but every song that came on seemed to make everyone move and groove.

Time for "sisters" pictures!

{the old buzzards}

{whatever kind of bird that is between old buzzards and spring chickens}

 

{the spring chickens}

Later in the evening, Katie's daughter was dropped off so we had somebody take a group picture which turned out really cute!

Nobody was happy when Miss Anti-Craft won the kitty and the winner's crown, we all wanted that crown more than the money...just look at her smug little face!

I had so much fun with my family on Saturday night, one of the best girl's night in a long time.  I have to say thanks to everyone who researched recipes, who brought little gifts, who made me laugh and sing and for Amy busting out the buttons because now I have a picture frame that I will treasure forever.