Birthday Celebration for a Queen

Birthday Cake for a Queen

I was so very honored to help celebrate the 85th birthday for a very special client: Jane Avinger. Let me tell you about Jane, the most majestic woman I have ever known. She lived down the street from my family in Davidson when I was growing up and mother to my friends Mary Charles and Robert. She really caught my attention though when I attended a graduation party at her home. This woman was the epitome of Southern grace and elegance. She had flowers throughout her house from her garden, greeted everyone with a lovely smile and ease all while making homemade ice cream and pound cake with strawberries on the porch. I wanted to be Jane when I grew up.

When I first started Something Classic, Jane was there to support my endeavor. I was always excited when Jane called to help her entertain her parties both small and large. She always started the conversation with my first name Jill - all three syllables. Her events were always filled with family, friends and community who loved her dearly.

Jane's 85th birthday party was just as you would expect, except there were only women invited including Jane's delightful gardener of many years. Her next door neighbor Ginny Newell hosted and filled the house with gorgeous flowers and then held on to one last surprise: Jane's family of menfolk all arrived in matching bowties and aprons - the bartenders and service staff for the evening. She was quite surprised as many lived out of town and wanted to be there to celebrate everything Jane.

Something Classic served a few of her favorites and summer-fresh nibbles: crabcakes, fresh berries, chevre with petals and honey, Tuscan tuna, fried chicken banyons and blue cheese biscuits with fig preserves. Our very able bartenders served blackberry French "85s" in keeping with our guest of honor. I've never seen Jane happier than amongst her friends and family... she was in her element. Thank you Jane for your grand inspiration.