Happy Anniversary

3 years ago in November, I started this blog. Wow. It seems like such a LONG time ago... So to end November, I'm wishing myself (and all my readers who make this blog worth continuing...), "Happy Anniversary!" --> Complete with balloons!!

In which I become a tree

After 24 dances, the clean up begins, because even a Ceilidh must come to an end....

Tree-ish me

And even though we are quite busy taking down the decorations and the like, we always have time for more pictures! Especially since all the guests are so kind as to help dismantle the ball. :O)

Ineke, Me, Ana

Keely in her dad's hat

I do so enjoy a good foot picture. I think the tradition started at the 1st Spring Ball...

"Foots (no e)"

Kiri and Me

Daniel and Bobby

Blurry clean up

And so my blogging about the Ceilidh comes to an end.... but before you get tearful, I'll leave you with some photos of the Grand March...

A Prime Blogging Opportunity

OSB's Céilidh Part 2

Where did I leave off? Oh yes...

 So, the guests began to arrive... and the girls and I became busy handing out the dance cards.

Meanwhile, the fellowship began...

It was wonderful to see so many of our friends! And in such fabulous costumes!

A "Pleasing Countenance" is a must at a Céilidh. And happy, contented faces are great for photos. :O)

The gentlemen always sign the ladies' dance card.

And as previously mentioned, any excuse will do for a family photo!

Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of the entire Kincell family. Bummer. But, I do have a picture of Mr. Kincell to share. He always does magnificent job as the Master of Ceremonies! And isn't Mr. Kincell's costume the best? It certainly has challenged me to make an excellent costume for my daddy.

Speaking of my daddy, he gave the etiquette speech and short devotional again at this ball. In my biased opinion, he does a great job!

The group listens to the etiquette speech...

Happy girls! We're at a ball! :D

And the dancing begins...

And the 2nd dance was?

The Gay Gordon

One of my favorites. Mixers are the best.

I didn't dance the Sheena's Saunter, but I do love the arm raise. It makes for great photos!

More happy faces...

Kelsie and Hannah

Me and Ineke

Because of a wretched camera battery, I didn't take as many dance photos as I might have wished.

Yet, I did manage to take some of the Cumberland Square...

Circle Left!

Weave the Ring

Cailin and Andrew

Emily and Joseph

The Patty Cake Polka

Old South Ball's event aren't just for young people. The balls and practices are family affairs. And it is great to see the adults having a good time!

A few more smiles...

Andrew

Amy and Maddie

Annajean

And still more to come!

A Céilidh should be... Green?

Even though the ball was almost 3 weeks ago (GASP!), I'm finally blogging about it. Hopefully, my readers will be gracious? :P

I always start my blog posts with one about decorations... and while I don't think tradition should be kept for tradition's sake, good traditions are worth preserving...

Planning a ball is almost as fun as the balls themselves. And one of our important questions is decor. What color should a Céilidh be? Considering the word has Gaelic and Celtic origins, green is the natural color.

But what would a ball in the autumn season be without some fall colors? I love those little pumpkins. :)

So, before our guests arrived, the Kincells and Powells set to work transforming the room into a ball room.

And the green and autumnal color palette came together beautifully, if I do say so myself.

Mrs. Kincell did a lovely job, as usual, on the food table.

And I love this new platter. It's weird to share a picture of it on the blog, but I couldn't resist.

While we set up, we take as many pictures as possible. A ball MUST BE DOCUMENTED! *grins*

Keely with the lovely centerpiece

Food! (Insert the "Thank you, Captain Obvious!" Hahaha)

I was really excited about the labels for the hot drinks -- with a celtic scroll...

The two dads had some help setting up the sound equipment.

The new banner over the drink table...

Soon the guests started arriving, and I scrambled to light the candle...

The Céilidh was wonderful. And this picture surely captures my thoughts...

More coming...