Our Second Anniversary was celebrated on April 2, 2005, at Sleigh Bells in Sherwood in Creative Touch Catering and Tea Room. We had almost 30 Ladies in attendance with several wonderful Red Hatters from the Ruby Begonia's! What a delightful time we all had. The Ladies had a choice between Lunch or Mable Ann's Tea, and it was about 50% having each. My opinion (for those who care) is that those that chose lunch got a much better deal and a more tasty fare than those of us that chose the tea. Maybe it was because we were a large group and not just two or three stopping in for Tea. The sandwiches all tasted of cream cheese and not sure what else. The scones were not as good as some that we have had elsewhere. The fruit spread and cream and lemon curd were served in shot glass sized containers that should have had a demitaise spoon rather than a spreader with them as it was difficult to get out, as well as being such a small amount that one was afraid to take the amount that they would like and not leave some for the next person! The Salad that came with the sandwiches or Quiche was wonderful from those that had it and many enjoyed the chowder that they had with their salad or sandwiches. The Sweets were wonderful. All in all the food was just a small part of our getting together.
We had a reading on growing older, read by Countess Moo Cow, A wonderful song lead by Princess Pink Flamingo sung to the tune of "My favorite Things". It is one that Julie Andrews sang at her 69th birthday party, and we all enjoyed it and related to the words. Our Mother of Vice, Duchess of Hearts, had the ladies go through some of her special books of saying and pick out a meaningful one to them to share with all of us. We shared a little about each of us in our intoductions, and even a little about our hats and where they came from or how they came about. We had several guests and first timers there to enjoy this wonderful event. We had some lucky winners in our drawing of things like Calenders, Magnetic Red Hats, the Purple waving Hankey, Cups, and many other Red Hat Decor items.
There had been a crafting day at the Queen Mum's home just a few days prior to this event when 5 of the Matriarchs got together to create the place favors for each person to enjoy and take home. (We all got to enjoy some of Queen Mum's French Onion Soup and hot tea too!) Each place had a pretty red hat complete with Feathers, Flowers and ribbons, a wonderful scented wrapped candle, a purple pen, (which of course we never have enough of!) and chocolates that the Queen Mum made in a shape of the red and purple hats! There were special gift bags for each member of the Metro Matriarchs from the Queen Mum and the Mother of Vice, Duchess of Heats, filled with many treasures.
The Queen Mum would like to thank the Ruby Begonia's for joining with us in this wonderful Second Year Anniversary Cellabration and for the beautiful Red Hat Banner that they gave to us. A special thank you to Countess CoyRita for the gift of a hand painted China plate and to Lady Barbara and her daughter Linda for the Queen Plaque that was given. A special thank you to my Mother of Vice, Duchess of Hearts for all that she had done and always does and for the beautiful gifts that she gave to me, including my "Marines" sign! A Thank You all of the ladies who pitched in as they arrived to help us get everything out on the tables and to welcome all of our guests as they arrived. Thank you all for coming and making this a wonderful cellebration! It is always so lifting to be around Happy, Positive, Giggling, Loving women! Each of you have a special place in my heart and life and I do so enjoy being with each of you and look forward to many more wonderful events to be shared with all of you!
Our First Anniversary was celebrated at Mrs B's Special Teas in Lebanon Oregon in April, 2004. Mrs B put on a wonderful tea for all of us to enjoy with her famous Lavender Scones and Devonshire cream.
The "Ladies" in our chapter surprised the Queen Mum with a wonderful Coronation Cermony and Crowning. Special readings were done by the Mother of Vice, Duchess of Hearts, and Princess Pink Flamingo. The Queen Mum was presented with a beautiful "Diamond" encrusted crown and a formal Scepter with a huge "Diamond" on the end and flowing purple ribbons, and her casual scepter in the form of a Queen Bee, along with a beautiful boquet of red roses!
The Queen Mum also received some beautiful gifts from her "Ladies", a dispenser for soap or lotion in the form of a teapot, a beautiful red hatted bear, a tea cup and saucer and some jewelry. The Queen Mum would like to thank all of her "Ladies" for the wonderful surprise and gifts that were bestowed upon her! All of the "Ladies" attending also received a gift from the Queen Mum, a tea cup book to write in for the upcoming year.
We have grown from just 8 "Ladies" who attended our first outing for tea in the Sellwood area to 25 "Ladies" in just our first year. I am looking forward to more fun times of sharing and being together in this next year.
It is wonderful to be around such a great group of postive, smiling, women who are not afraid to let their little girl inside of them out to play and enjoy life. As Queen Mum, I want to let each of you know what a special part you have in my life. I think of some of the times we have shared and it gives me a warm feeling in my heart. I thank each of you for being a part of my life!
