This weekend I celebrated my 40th birthday. Yes, 4oth.

I never knew I would be in such a good place when I turned 40.

I always thought 40 was a birthday people dreaded and worried over. Actually, not me. I feel so blessed. I have a wonderful family, and a job that I love. Many passions that I am devoted to. Many friends and outlets for my creativity. Lots to look forward to in this life.

As for presents and cake…who could ask for a present better than the one above? My seven year old presented me with the drawing you see above on the morning of my birthday.

I am still a bit speechless over it.

As her mother I have to brag on it for a minute. Little Anastasia is such a gifted cartoonist. She’s not even seven and a half, and she doesn’t even hold her pencil properly yet. More like in a fist. Truly a special child with a gift (but I am not at all biased or anything) Please do NOT miss the baby alpaca’s boots! And I love the pink boots she drew me wearing. Anastasia conveys emotion in all of her work. When she comes home upset and can hardly explain things, I tell her, “Draw it.” And she does. Then we can talk things through. It is amazing. Back to the drawing – to be appreciated in my own home by my baby is priceless!

My father and oldest child were out of town on my actual birthday so I get to drag this thing out and have everyone celebrate again officially tonight. I am so excited I’m getting a strawberry cake from Very Vera for my birthday cake. (And you know I like cake.) If you can ever get one of these – DO! By all means. They are TO DIE FOR. I promise you. I know that she was in “O” magazine, but I met Vera long ago in Mobile. It’s a Southern thang.

So what about you, dear readers? What do you think about 40? Is it the new 30? How did you celebrate your big 4-0? Or are you dreading yours? Are you constantly turning 29 or do you claim each year as a badge of honor? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

]]> http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com/2010/05/alpaca-farmgirl-turns-40/feed/ 18 http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com/2009/07/summer-alpaca-weddings/ http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com/2009/07/summer-alpaca-weddings/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:34:39 +0000 Katy http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com/?p=3279

"Brownie & Ella" - Alpacas Get Married

drawn by  5 year-old alpaca farmgirl

Participating in Wordless Wednesdays

Hand-knitted Alpaca Scarf

I am so excited to unveil this project that we have been working on for weeks! My dear friend and knitting guru, Maxine Brach, and I have been working on an alpaca scarf that looks like an alpaca and is also made from alpaca yarn. This scarf is made of over 90% alpaca, the remaining portion is wool & nylon. It’s even softer and warmer than it looks! It is available for sale at $68. The scarf comes in brown, grey, and white (pictures coming soon). If you like to knit we also have kits available for $46. Our Alpaca Farmgirl store should be up within the next few days, but if you’d like to order one in the meantime, contact Katy at alpacas@bellsouth.net

A pint sized Alpaca Farmgirl shows the alpacas her scarf

This scarf is part of the Homemade Holiday Goodness Carnival. Visit Antique Mommy’s carnival for all sorts of great homeade/handmade gift ideas for the holidays. Have fun!

The last couple of weeks have been a blur of hurricane watches and warnings, tissues, cold medicine, and being glued to the Weather Channel. Between Ike, Gustav, Faye, Hannah, and Josephine and the dreadful cold that has been going around our house, I haven’t been writing much. Hopefully that will change soon. The alpacas are all well, but looking forward to cooler weather. It will be in the mid-90’s today.

Our first cria is due in November, and we won’t be breeding until December 1. That is, if I can stand it that long. It drives me crazy for them to be open (not pregnant). I feel like there’s a hole in my piggybank and money is just seeping out when they are open for a long time. When it gets cooler in late October and early November I usually get antsy and breed one. The problem is that that means a September or October baby and that’s really too hot for us to be brithing down here in L.A. (lower Alabama). Fortunately there are only a couple that we had to hold over until Fall/Winter for breeding.

The last couple of weeks have been a blur of hurricane watches and warnings, tissues, cold medicine, and being glued to the Weather Channel. Between Ike, Gustav, Faye, Hannah, and Josephine and the dreadful cold that has been going around our house, I haven’t been writing much. Hopefully that will change soon. The alpacas are all well, but looking forward to cooler weather. It will be in the mid-90’s today.

Our first cria is due in November, and we won’t be breeding until December 1. That is, if I can stand it that long. It drives me crazy for them to be open (not pregnant). I feel like there’s a hole in my piggybank and money is just seeping out when they are open for a long time. When it gets cooler in late October and early November I usually get antsy and breed one. The problem is that that means a September or October baby and that’s really too hot for us to be brithing down here in L.A. (lower Alabama). Fortunately there are only a couple that we had to hold over until Fall/Winter for breeding.