Mr. Mickey's lifelong friend, Ben, celebrated his 80th birthday this week.
We always enjoy the drive down to the farm to visit with our dear friends. The Nolichucky River's rolling hills are met with the majestic mountains rising up beyond to frame the horizon.
The celebration was held at the couple's weekend getaway in the country.
Guest parking was across the street from the farmhouse our friends have lovingly restored over the past few years.
One of Ben's hobbies is collecting and restoring antique Jaguars. He keeps them in his car museum.
That's a working vintage traffic signal mounted on the wall above my head.
Natalie's potting shed is below.
A guest house on the property provides additional space for the many visitors and family members who come to stay for a weekend at the farm.
Ben is retired from Piedmont Airlines, and he and Natalie have two adorable white Shih Tzus, which explains the fabulous cake.
Happy birthday Ben! May you have many more.
The fabulous band This Mountain played into the night.
At the end of the evening, I was thrilled to reconnect with an old friend from elementary school. Marty and his beautiful wife, Bebe, live only a couple of doors away from the farm. We hadn't seen each other for more than forty years!
Whenever we attend an outdoor function, I always take a hat. One never knows if it will be necessary, but it's good to have it if you need it. The hat is from one of my favorite stores in Blowing Rock, NC, Finley House Couture. The red blouse is from Express. The white cropped jeans are from Chico's. The shoes are from T.J.Maxx.
