A Birthday to Remember

What a Party!

The Hostesses

Last evening we celebrated.  It was a birthday celebration for my friend, she is turning 80.  She doesn’t seem to mind the fact that we all know her age and why should she?  She has aged well.

Three Handsome Waiters!Do you love surprises? I do. I am rarely surprised but this was a surprise. Our waiters were inexperienced but they were fun and willing to do whatever the hostess asked of them.The food was lovely! We started the meal with three little soups in small cups. With lovely garnishes. We had potato, cream of asparagus and cantaloupe soup. All yummy. You cangetting ready to serve the first coursesee how lovely the presentation was.There were 14 of us and we had fun telling stories about our guest of honor. We laughed and enjoyed being together. That's how women are, we love a reason for a party. We thrive on each other's company. We need to get together for the sake of our well-being.The salads came next. We had lentil salad, green salad in wonton wrappers and tomato salad. Great Salads

I know what you are thinking!  You are thinking about my diet aren’t you?  Well, your right, this was not on my plan.  Here’s what I decided. I am eating everything!  That was simple, don’t you think?

There were 14 of us and we had fun telling stories about our friendship with our guest of honor.

 

Each person received a lovely box of sweets as our gift.  It  has had two different kinds of cookies, a piece of fudge and a caramel.  I ate it all that night.  Well, I thought if I am going to eat this I better do it all in one day and get back “on the wagon” the very next day.  I ate dessert and all.  There you have it.

Great Salads

 

Okay, next came the entrée!  The best Butternut Squash I have ever eaten drizzled with a reduced balsamic vinegar  with baked tofu in the center,  fingerling potatoes with caramelized onions.

don't let looks deceive you

My man has no clue as to what drizzle means, so you can see his thoughts were– more is better.  This food was soooooooooo good.

 

Isn’t it always fun to have someone cook a meal and invite you over?  I love eating someone else’s cooking.  It always seems so much better than mine.

 

Happy Birthday My Friend!

Dessert was a lovely cake, including ice cream and sorbet.

 

Why am I telling you this?  First of all I don’t know a woman who doesn’t like to hear about a successful party.  We love pretty things, good food and good company.  But that’s not the reason. 

 

I am thinking about the start and finishing of a live.  Not that at 80 my friend is finished.  It’s just that life is winding down for her.  Well, isn’t it for all of us?

 

I ask you and I ask my self how are you finishing, are you finishing well?  Have you become less critical, more accepting?  Have you tamed the gossip tiger who  lives within you?  Do you enjoy giving more than you enjoy receiving?  Do you complement your family, your spouse, your daughter in law, your children, your son in law,  your friend?  Have you put the jealous lion out of your life?  Can you celebrate others success, new car, new dress or new house?

 

Mark 12:30-31 reads: “Love the Lord your God with all your  heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”  The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

It’s a lot to think about but I want to finish well, don’t you?

PS–For me computers have a mind of their own and I know this post is a mess.  I can’t fix anything that is in the box under the picture so just go with it and know I continue to do this right.  I’m just not always successful.