39

by | Apr 5, 2017 | a slice of life | 103 comments

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Today starts the beginning of the last year in my 30’s.

I had a busy work day, but came home to my boys waiting for me on the driveway, fists full of “wild flowers” that they tossed on the sidewalk to mark my entrance.

(Jeff pointed out that they were weeds, but let’s called them wild flowers.)

And I walked in the house to the Happy Birthday chorus, cards, presents, and lemon cream cake.

And I got what every woman who turns 39 wants… a sweet, tweed-covered Fender tube amp for my electric guitar.

That’s right.

Rock on.

Oh, and I have gotten some furniture done this week!  Frenchie number one is done and I’ll be working on its partner in the next day or two.  I also have a few other pieces in the works.

And PS, this fabulous blue linen dress is from Linen Bees.  When I posted a couple of their other dresses in my February favorites post, they asked if they could partner with me.  I love their work, so of course I said yes!  They sent me two new dresses and I like them even better than the first ones I bought.  I’m going to buy one more color with some of my birthday money and just live in linen dresses and smocks.

The boots are Earthkeepers by Timberland and the necklace is from Anthropologie.

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    103 Comments

    1. nancy w.

      Happy Birthday “young lady”. And many happy returns of the day.

    2. Lisa

      Happy Birthday!! Sounds like it was perfect for you. 🙂

    3. Emily

      That chair is stunning!! Happy Birthday!

    4. Angela

      That chair is by far my favourite. Happy Birthday.

    5. Anna Price

      Happy Birthday Marian! Being 39 is a wonderful time in life!!

    6. B. Folk

      The boots, the polka-dot socks, the dress- you are darling and beautiful, inside and out! Happy Birthday, you “Spring Chicken”! My 40’s were some of the most productive years of my life (and, also, when I came to belief in the Lord), so it was a great decade for me. I pray that this will be just the beginning of many more great years ahead for you.

    7. B. Folk

      P.S. I am having issues with this Yahoo email account (can’t log into it), so I will have to email you from a different account.

    8. TinaLou

      Rock on, Marian!!

    9. Teresa

      Happy Birthday Marian! By all accounts it seems your last year of the thirties is shaping up to be a very memorable year for you with your upcoming move.

      Personally, my forties where some of my happiest and most productive years so I hope that gives you something to look forward to.

    10. Arli

      Happy Birthday, Marian!

    11. DeAnna

      Happy Birthday Marian!

    12. MaryJane

      Happy Birthday to you and me! I always feel close to people who share my birthday and find a lot of similar creative characteristics. I’m 70 today but feel and look maybe 60 or less, at least that’s what people tell me. Don’t worry, the 40’s were great!

    13. Jay

      Happy birthday!

    14. Stephanie Crane

      Happy Birthday Marian! Many years of new adventures to come for you. Hope you enjoyed your Lemon cake!! xx Stef,Qld, Australia

    15. Dee

      Happy Birthday kiddo……my fourties were my best years ever…..course my 70 s are starting now and not so bad either;-)
      Love that chair……just think of all the adventures ahead!

    16. Mary-the boondocks blog

      Happy Birthday sweet lady! An amp huh? You are full of surprises!!

    17. Rosana

      We share the same birthday! I just turned 44 on 4/4. Hope your year is full of smiles! Happy birthday <3

    18. Ruth in NZ

      Happy Birthday lovely lady…all the way from the other side of the world.

    19. Marsha Kern

      Happy birthday!!!

    20. Donna

      Happy Belated Birthday!

    21. Penny P.

      Happy Happy Birthday!! Sounds like a wonderful way to start off your last 30’s year. That outfit is absolutely adorable!!

    22. Pam from Maryland

      Happy Birthday Sonshine !!!!

    23. debra Packard

      Happy Birthday Marian! Great photos!

    24. Becky

      Happy Birthday!

    25. Ruth

      Happy Birthday Marion!! 39 is the age I always wanted to stay at?!!!

    26. Carolyn Sands

      Happy Birthday!

    27. Darcy

      Happy birthday! Wish I lived on the East Coast so I could buy that chair. 🙂

    28. Sue

      Happy birthday!!!

    29. Christy

      Happy Birthday! Don’t fear the 40’s coming next year – it’s just a time to reach full potential!

    30. tina

      Happy Birthday! Your hair looks great. I hope this doesn’t offend, but you have worked so hard to lose weight, those dresses are just too shapeless and not very flattering. Play up the good girl!

      • Marian Parsons

        Unfortunately, I am back to my pre-Whole30 weight, so I’m trying to camouflage it. I know I tend towards less fitted clothes, but that’s just how I’m comfortable. I’m working on weight loss again and might show a bit more of my figure then. 🙂

      • Almond

        Disagree!!! And so rude….

      • Chris Moore

        Gosh, where would we be without the bean counters, the nay-sayers, the ‘I told you so’s’, the nit pickers, the needlers? H-m-m? We might actually be happy and feel good about ourselves-without them!

    31. jinny

      Kudos to Tina for saying what has been on my mind since I first saw the photos

    32. Peggy

      Happy Birthday! I am with you I love linen clothing. You look awesome! You can now have a fashion blog too! [In your spare time of course] Don’t ever worry about your 40’s. The 40’s are the best years of your life. God Bless all your new ventures Marian
      Best to you,
      Peggy

    33. Nancy

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

    34. Barbara

      Happy Birthday! Love the linen!! Blessings for whatever God has in store for you and your family!

    35. Debra

      Happy Birthday, girl! You’d look great in anything! You’re ‘aging’ well so far! ?

    36. Vicki Sheets

      First, Happy Birthday! I hope you get some nice Ironstone too! Second, you may not be the size you want to be, what woman is? But I hope you love yourself anyway because you look fabulous! Its important for women to cheer each other on and keep telling each other how truly wonderful we all are, no matter the weight and no matter our differences.

      • Lisa

        Vicki,
        I agree 100%! There’s too much negativity in this world.

    37. Elizabeth

      I always felt that you rocked. Now I know it for a fact. And your chair rocks, too. Nice job.

      A big happy birthday to you! Your family’s birthday welcome sounds very sweet. Throwing wildflowers in your path sounds symbolic. Of what, I have no idea.

      You are at a wonderful age. The best 10 years of a woman’s life are the ones between 39 and 40.

    38. Almond

      Happy Birthday!! You look fabulous!! I ordered a tunic as well…and have the same boots..(and I’m a whole lot older than u…lol!). You are perfect just the way you are…as long as you feel great…at any age or size!!

    39. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

      Happy Birthday, Marian! May God continue to bless you and give you a wonderful year full of lots of happiness and health!

      Your linen dress is just so lovely! I’m a linen lover, too! I’m going to check out that site and order a dress just like yours! Love this style — always have!

      Also love that French chair you have just finished! It’s lovely. Now, if only I could get to Lucketts! I told my husband about Lucetts and he said “one of these years, we’ll get there!”.

      Have a blessed day, Marian! You are a real blessing to all of us who read your blogs!

    40. Debbie Reynolds

      Happy Birthday, Miriam!!!!

    41. Loretta

      Happy Birthday Marian. The best years are ahead.

    42. Lynda

      Happy Birthday Marion!

    43. Linda Leyble

      Hi Marian…I remember so well my turning 40. At first I was really scared of the number…but I found a brand new confidence that I had trouble feeling before. I began to try new things…taking even more risks. I can’t believe margined what you’ll accomplish in this decade!!

      Happy Birthday!

      Linda

    44. Lynn

      Happy Birthday! You share my husband’s birthday (although he is a WEE bit older than you are!) We had fun celebrating with ALL of our four sons, their sweet wives, and our four wonderful little grandchildren last night. Such a blessing that they all live close by! I’m sure you enjoyed celebrating with your guys as well. Enjoy 39 and don’t worry about 40! It really IS just a number. My 40’s were a busy but great time in my life…you’ll find that out, too. But until then, keep on enjoying your 30’s and being the great inspiration that you are to all of us!

    45. tina

      Happy Birthday, Marion! Now go rock some tunes on that new amp! 🙂

    46. Carol

      Happy Birthday Marian! It just keeps getting better! Challenging but better!

    47. Maggie

      Happy, Happy Birthday!!!!! Now I feel old. Love the dress!!

    48. Joan

      Dear Marian! Happy Birthday to you!
      LOVELY photos, you look beautiful in your blue dress and your hair is so so pretty! I really love your look! It’s really pretty!
      Enjoy your day, congrats on all your new ventures ! ! ! So much for you all to look forward to ! <3
      Wishing you all the best!

    49. Carla from Kansas

      Happy birthday! The chair (and you) looks great. What is a fair price for one in it’s original state? I’d like to buy a couple and redo for my living room.

    50. Krista

      Happy Birthday, Marian! My 40’s were some of the best years of my life…all about finding myself, taking more time for myself and having more time for myself. Enjoy! You look adorable!

    51. Deb

      Happy Birthday, Marian, and may I say I hope this next year is full of many blessings for you. The sweet act of your sons laying wild flowers down for you to enter the house on your special day is just so darling and definitely one to document so you can remind them when they get much older (some day their wives will get a kick out of it.). On another note….I love linen, too, but always thought it was so high-maintenance because of having to be ironed. I hate to iron! Is it OK to wear it right out of the dryer? If so, my wardrobe might get a few new additions. The styles you wear are so cute and comfy looking. I’m all about comfort!

      • Marian Parsons

        Yeah, I wear these right out of the dryer. I’ll usually hang them up when I take a shower, so they relax a bit. I will hit them with an iron if I really want it smoothed out, but these look nice with a little wrinkle to them. 🙂

    52. KATHY BRANGWYNNE

      Happy Birthday Marian!!..Love your longer hairstyle!!..The chair came out beautiful!!..I am 62 but when asked “staying 39!!’

    53. Jane

      Birthday Blessing to you!

    54. Patricia

      Happy Birthday Marian ! You are a blessing to many and you are abundantly blessed .
      And you look darling .

    55. Karen K from Buffalo

      Rocking on at 39, Marian!! Have a great & blessed day…..

    56. Sally

      Happy Birthday! You look great….it doesn’t matter what weight I am, I don’t like tight clothes. I like things I can move freely in. I think that dress looks great on you.

    57. Sue

      Marian you rock those dresses. You’re not hiding a thing. This look is perfectly you. Happy Happy Birthday.

    58. Donna Doble-Brown

      Happy blessed Birthday Miss Marian! I love love love that dress! Of course that COLOR is stunning on you . . . And your HAIR! Gorgeous!!!!!!’ Glad you had a wonderful day! ?

    59. Mary Crozier

      Marian,

      Happiest of Birthdays! The best is yet to come! My birthday is next week and I have been reverse aging (counting backwards since 50) so I, too, will be 39!!! You’ve been on my mind lately as I have been pondering what to do with the fabulous linen sheets I purchased from you….a possible upholstery project this summer.

      Enjoy those wonderful children and warmest birthday wishes.

    60. Jelena

      Happy birthday, Marian!
      How sweet of the boys to cover the driveway with “wildflowers”! 🙂
      By the way, I love the French chair, and I love that dress, too!

    61. PJ

      Happy Birthday! Oh, to be so young!

    62. Farmmom Karen

      A very happy birthday to you!! You look great and so does the chair.

    63. Cheryl

      Happy Birthday and many more!!

    64. Maria

      I’ m a portuguese old ladie, I like you. Good luke for you and for your family. God bless you, and happy birthday.

    65. Jeanie

      A very Happy Birthday Marian!!

    66. Suzy McCowen

      Happy Birthday to you!!!

    67. Marianne

      Happy Birthday Marian ! Hope you had the best day ever! Every age brings something good ! Enjoy every day! ????

      I love those chairs and wish I could purchase them! I cannot make Lucketts unfortunately.

    68. April

      Happy Birthday, Beautiful!!

    69. MaryLisa Noyes

      Happy Birthday ?! May I also add that I tried the shampoo and conditioner and I’m very impressed! I hope your readers jump on board. My hair feels like silk! Thank you!!! The best to celebrating

    70. ks

      No. no. No. no kudos. It’s thoughtless and rude. Typically when you start with “don’t want to offend but…” what is about to come out of your mouth is exactly that. Kudos to Marian for a graceful response. I know mine is exactly not that. But man. It infuriates me to no end. Just wish her a happy birthday and move on. Criticism disguised as inquisitiveness isn’t any better than just being critical.

    71. Marlene Stephenson

      Happy Birthday Marion, have a warm and wonderful evening.

    72. Nancy

      Happy birthday. I enjoyed the 40’s. I’m sure you will too. And now I’m going to be honest. And I’m not trying to be mean, but my friends will often ask my opinion because I am honest . That dress does nothing for you. Well, it might be comfy, but …. . It just doesn’t. You could liken it to a piece of furniture, sometimes it’s just No.

      • Marian Parsons

        Well, it certainly does more for me than paint-splattered sweat pants. 🙂 I love it and I feel good in it and that’s what matters.

      • Almond

        I don’t recall anyone here asking for your “opinion”.

    73. Jackie B

      Happy Birthday Sweet Marian! You are the epitome of graciousness! So many times i have read comments that I would have probably responded to sharply and you responded with grace, that is commendable. I wish I looked as cute as you in your linen frock. The 40’s were the best years ever followed closely by the 50’s! Looking forward to the next year of changes in your life.

    74. Cheryl

      Happy Birthday Marian! Goodness, is there any talent that you don’t possess? Guitar too? You are one special and creative lady. Have a great day and enjoy!

    75. Lori

      Happy Birthday to YOU!!

    76. Wendy

      Happy Birthday, Marian! I hope you had such a great day this year that you are still talking about it next year!!

    77. Linda

      You are adorable inside and out . A very happy birthday to you !

    78. Casey

      I LOVE that dress….and I’m checking out that website. Good to hear that the linen can be worn right out of the dryer. I’m old….almost 70….and I remember having to iron my husband’s oxford cloth dress shirts while they were damp. I’d prefer not to have to go back to that!! So happy you had a great birthday….the strewing flowers in your path is just the sweetest thing!!

    79. Carole Prisk

      Who cares what the rude naysayers think ? Their mommas must have never taught them that if you can’t say something nice, then say nothing at all. I like the look. It has a folky country vibe that reminds me of Heidi, or Tasha Tudor. You are lovely, talented, creative and do not need fashion advice. LIke Taylor says,” Haters are gonna hate.”
      The linen looks expensive and the blue color is perfect for you. Happy birthday.

    80. Sue Pagels

      Happy Birthday! You look so cute and if I could rock a dress like that, I certainly would! Love the boots too 🙂 Have a fabulous year!

    81. Stella

      Happy Birthday!!! Love the chair, enjoy the ones who love you for who you are. God Bless your year ahead!

    82. Jennifer

      Happy Birthday, Marian. Age is just a number. Stay young at heart. May God bless you in all that you do.

    83. Debbie

      Happy and blessed birthday sweet girl. Love the amplifier gift and I know you will be itching to try it! I love the the way French #1 turned out….. stunning!

    84. Michelle

      Marian! I’m not sure how I have followed you all of these years and not realized that we share the same birthday! I just hit 50! It just gets better! Keep doing what you do Marian, you’re a treasure!

    85. Allison

      My sister in law once told me it gets better every decade. I’m living my life with that in mind and it has served me well! Happy birthday! Never regret growing older, it’s a blessing denied to many. God bless you as you embark on whatever new adventure God has in store for your family.

    86. Barbara Warga

      Happy Birthday! Don’t ever worry about the years, they’re all what you make of them. Love the hair, the dress, the chair, and the woman! You look wonderful!

    87. Lucy Doane

      Marian, You look absolutely fabulous. Love the dress, its perfect. I love linen too and also don’t want to iron it. Just wear it in its comfortable lived in look. Live with confidence. No apologies needed. Love also that your sweet boys welcomed you with flowers. You are an inspiration to thousands and thousands. Keep rockin!!

    88. Pamela

      Happy 39th sweetie, I love how you dress, it’s so you.

    89. Jean Abrams

      I can’t get over how timely your posts always are to me. I’ve been looking for a company that sells linen tunics that aren’t $200 each! These fit the bill perfectly. I just ordered 4 new tunics! Now to find a company that sells linen pants that aren’t tight around the ankles. Thanks for sharing this.

    90. Nancy

      You know what Marian? You are absolutely correct. If you like it, that really is all that matters. I’m sorry, you didn’t ask my opinion, and I should not have offered it. We all have different likes, and that is okay, meaning culpa.

    91. Sari

      Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Marian! You look happy, healthy, and blessed.

    92. Penny

      Marion,

      I’m sorry I missed seeing this sooner. I wanted to wish you a very Happy Belated BD anyway. I hope that you enjoyed it.

    93. Leen

      Marian, now you can say that you are “barely in your thirties”! Love the linen, it looks lovely and very comfortable.

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