Birthdays, Balls, and Roadkill Cafe

We had quite an exciting weekend! On Friday evening, we celebrated Janet's 55th birthday party as her husband and a couple of close friends threw her a surprise party. There were tons of amazing appetizers the women had prepared. They also put an ad in the local newspaper to celebrate like the locals, it was hilarious! A full page of her in traditional Nigerian gear with  quotes taken from previous ads. Jason said he was getting ideas for my big birthday next year, oh lawd!!

Janet wearing her headdress and opening the newspaper announcement

Sadly, we could only stay at the party for a short time because we had to go home and change for the Lagos Yacht Club Anniversary Ball that was also on Friday night. There was a nice meal, band, dancing, photographer and even a special dance floor. Our best friends in Lagos were there and we all had a blast dancing the night away!!

the amazing décor, complete with white tent and chandelier

the band set up



the light up dance floor!

our "red carpet" photo for the night

our photo with Ben, J's co-worker

our group funny photo, quite a crowd!!

 On Saturday night, we were invited to a dinner won by our good friends, Amanda and Alex, as a part of the baskets from the silent auction night. It was Texan/Redneck themed and included dinner for 8. We were so lucky to be invited, because boy did they go all out for the dinner. There were so many cute details incorporated, the food was absolutely delicious and they even had party favors for us! Such an awesome night and we definitely know what we will be bidding on next year at the auction!

our photo as we entered the party

our "fun" photo as J got caught trying to grab my behind!



all the party guests as well as the staff dressed in their camo and Duck Dynasty shirts!

enjoying our appetizers of fried pickles, queso and venison sausage!!

the amazing table set-up

the entrance to their apartment, as the café included hair care and a tire shop!



yummy menu

place setting

the HUGE spread of food

 

New School Building

After years of arguing with the Nigerian government to get a building permit and weeks of construction, the orphanage finally opened a new building behind the house to host the classrooms. This will give the children the opportunity the go to a separate school house during the day instead of holding class in the same room as they sleep at night. Lady Bethel is also looking to hire full time teachers so that the learning experience is enhanced and the other workers get a rest during the day from their full time duties. Seriously, these ladies work 24 hours to take care of these kids and they are truly amazing!! one of the volunteers has provided the salary for a French teacher to come teach the toddlers twice a week. This is an awesome donation and I know these kiddos will catch on fast!

new school building

6 classrooms total!

a classroom for the younger toddlers

learning the months in French

I promise they are enjoying their French lesson!

Samuel pointing to February on the board

Joy saying "hi" to the camera as they walk to the school building after playtime

younger ones lining up after playtime

dance time!!

 

little Esther twerking ;)

Samuel and Belssing dancing to Apache

Precious, Success, and Ayo doing the "Will and Carlton dance"

Samuel goofing around as usual

 

Charles the Potter

I was lucky enough to be invited to visit Charles and his "factory" in Lekki. There was a group of over 15 ladies that went for the tour and shopping. I had bought a couple of his pieces back in May at the Chevron bizarre and just fell in love with everything he makes. There are a couple of American women who bring him lead-free glaze from the states so all the bowls and plates are non toxic and can hold food and be washed. The best part is this bright blue glaze that is just gorgeous!
He gave us a detailed tour and explained how they made gorgeous glass beads as well as the many types of pottery. He even let a couple of ladies try out the pottery wheel themselves! I was not that brave, haha!

using a large mortar and pestle to crush up old wine bottles for the glass beads

explaining how the molds are made to hold the beads in the fire

putting little twigs in the center of the molds that disintegrate in the fire and create a hole through the beads

painting the beads once they are done

such fine detail on every bead, its incredible!

the paint used for the detail and the molds holding the painted beads to be cooked again



the sifter used to collect just the finest of the broken glass to be used for the beads

hard clay rocks how they are found in the earth



those rocks are soaked in water for a couple of days to form a clay

all different types of clay rocks

they use these boards to constantly stir the clay

they then pour the clay through a set of 2 different sifters to come out with the finest clay and get rid of the leaves and such

the levels of sifters for the clay



the three stages of drying clay as becomes moldable to use

the man uses fishing line to cute the clay that is hardened

he cuts it up several times and kneads the clay to get out any air

this is a hand crank pottery wheel so takes two people to operate

 

hard at work making a pot

this time making a bowl

the two bowls and pots that he made while we watched

adding paint and a design as it spins

adding more design to the bowl

Here he is dipping the dried pottery in the glaze

Charles in his element with all the lovely pottery

a glimpse of the full shelves inside the kiln

showing the thermometer and that they cook at about 2000 degrees F!

showing us the kiln where the pots cook for days

a random bunch of elephants that he also made...

all of my beautiful pottery that I bought