Bilbo Birthday

Bilbo's Birthday Party

British Columbia, Canada

September 24, 2005

By: Christina Carr

It began with a posting on BC's LOTR Yahoo Group about this year's plans for a Bilbo Birthday Party. It branched out into discussions about food allergies and the best location as it is difficult to book space on a Saturday anywhere. BUT.. As luck would have it our lovely Sarah knew the staff at the Met in New Westminster and okayed it all with them. It wasn't long before costume talk had begun and lively baking came into play.

Tiff and Sarah had decided that it was possible to bake a wheat free cake. Before long they found a recipe on the net for an addictive chocolate cake. The only thing they needed was access to a kitchen. After 4 days of Tiff and Sarah planning this cake they invaded Martin's and my place. It didn't take long before our counters were filled with marzipan and the air smelled of chocolate. YUM!!!!

A great time was had by all. A good portion of us dressed up and we got some great reactions from 'mundanes' and unsuspecting drinkers who normally frequent this fairly quiet and tame bar/pub.

Our little hobbit, after acquiring a 'Ringers' tattoo, grabbed this Elf archer and said 'I need you in the bathroom.' After a few indications that it may not be only the fellowship that had gay tendencies, we disappeared into the washroom. Before I know it (and I sort of wish we had a camera in the washroom) I'm applying the tattoo to her chest. You see. This real life mother of two boys (Both into LOTR - BTW) had never worn a corset before. This was one of my old corsets that fit her better than myself so I let her have it and it seems to have brought out a playful side. She proudly came back out into the gathering with with Ringers stuck to her chest.

I brought along a copy of the 'Secret Diaries' and after food had been consumed proceeded to hand pages out to each person there. We took turns, as the different characters, reading the diaries. It was great!!

The cake was also an incredible delight. It not only was the most filling thing I have ever experienced in a dessert but it was a joy picking out the little characters and deciding who to eat first and by whom should this be done. Since our little Hobbit was married to our Gandalf she was the instant default for 'Wizard delight.' Gave brand new meaning to pointy hat trick. Once the little party hobbits and wizard were off the cake it looked more like a bog instead of a shire. To top it off we seemed to be missing a cutting knife so I pulled mine out and cut the cake in true fantasy fashion....... And people thought it was just a decorative blade.

Below are photos from the day. Most of them are from Martin's and my camera A few are from Tiff's little digital camera. I managed to copy some of her pictures before the end of the evening. If anyone has pictures I'd love to have copies. CLick on the smaller pics for a larger one.

Photos from Martin and Christina Do not use without permission- see links below for web info.
A group of us got together for a photoshoot pre party. The first two rows are a few of my favourites from the shoot.
Friend or foe?!?!	Okay boys. Fight's over.	Styrene and papier mache helmet.	Our little hobbit.....	and Wizard hubby.	I'll defend them!!
	I'm the prettiest...	I'm the fairest...	I'm spell binding.	Must have group shot!!
After a long battle. must eat!	And eat we did.	A toast to the Greatest little hobbit of them all.	And drink....		The best Ringer promo yet.
If you haven't guessed...	This whole row....	Is the cake.	Complete with a marzipan... cake?	Happy Birthday.	Since we had no knife this elf pulled her dagger out to cut the cake.
	Too much sugar equals tired elves.	Getting into character for the Secret Diaries.	Ah... The looks you get just casually standing outside.	A group pub shot taken by the bartender.