I had a birthday last week and the day after, everyone who knew I’d had one, asked me,
“Did you do anything special?”
Yes. I did.
As soon as I got up, I grabbed my camera as well as my phone, bundled up, and set off for the park. There’s nothing especially amazing there right now, except the beauty of nature’s changing seasons, the joy of being outside and away of “civilization” to some extent, the conversations of the birds, the sun shining through… You get the idea. I didn’t have a time frame and I spent quite a long time in quiet enjoyment and refreshment.
I got a free venti (the big size) mocha at Starbucks because I have a card with them (not a credit card) and that means a free drink every birthday. I used to have the entire month of March in which to redeem it, but now it’s down to five days. But it’s free, so I don’t mind. I also have a free drink coming at Peet’s (sort of the same deal), but it’s good until the 29th, so I’m saving that for next week or so.
My husband and I went to a little Chinese restaurant in the town next door that used to do their own dim sum. Did you catch the past tense there? Used to? Dim sum, by the way, is somewhat like Chinese tapas or small plates, or brunch, even though you might get it most of the day. Anyway, they no longer serve dim sum, but have become a “regular” Chinese restaurant that we’d love to have close enough to be our go-to inexpensive Chinese restaurant. Alas, but I love Singapore mai fun, a curried dish with skinny rice noodles and other goodies, so I had no problem deciding on what else to get. For some reason, they don’t serve pork (Jewish Chinese people? :-), so I had tofu, which was lovely and crispy on the outside. Delish and we once again experienced the mystery of how much leftover or takeout food can be put into one container!! Must be a Chinese secret of some sort.
After praise team practice in the evening, we all went out to a local place we like for a drink. Drinks or food shared with friends are at least twice as good and maybe more. My husband bought a lovely bottle Chateauneuf-du-Pape which we shared. Chateauneuf-du-Pape (“the new chateau/castle of the Pope”) is a town, a region, and wine produced in that region, one we visited some years ago. SO good. The history’s also interesting, so if you have a moment more, click on the link to read about it.
I’m channeling Dan in my head now, thinking that my post is too long, so I’m going to stop. Did I do anything special? You bet I did, at least by my standards even if not by those of the world. What do they know anyway? I spent time with my husband, with friends, and in nature, enjoyed good food and drink. But there was one more thing that made the day actually hit the “amazing” level. More on that in another post. 🙂
That’s great……belated happy birthday btw 🙂
Thanks. 🙂
janet
I had a little chuckle about the left over food fitting into the take away container after a similar experience a couple of days ago. Definitely sounds like a great birthday to me.
It really was, nice and relaxing.
janet
it sounds like a wonderful birthday – happy belated birthday to you –
It was an excellent day and thanks.
janet
you celebrated with a good bottle of wine, happe belated birthday to you!!!! I drink only very rarely so some glasses of this bottle with triple crown and imperial orb was nearly like a knockout for me… my feet became like lead and I only prayed that I will not fall from the chair like a bag of potatoes LOL
Ha! We shared with two friends, so each of us had one good glass, which was plenty but delicious.
janet
Belated greetings on your special day 🙂
Thanks, Tish. It was a good one, although that number just gets larger every year. 🙂
janet
Something needs to be done about those numbers!
🙂
Sounds like a perfect birthday to me! Cheers and Happy Birthday!
Thanks. It was excellent and without spending a fortune on things that are immediately gone. 🙂
janet
Good for you! It always amuses me when people ask if you have done anything special on a birthday – have to say I usually don’t ….but I’ll have done stuff on other days
Exactly. And sometimes just not having to do anything is all you need or just doing what you like rather than what you have to.
janet
It sounds like you had an amazing birthday to me because you mentioned ‘good’ coffee twice in the post. 🙂 Hope you have many more happy birthdays to come.
🙂 Thanks, Judy. “Good coffee” to me with adulterated somehow, ending in a mocha or something, but it was tasty.
janet
Happy birthday Janet (belated). And this post isn’t anywhere near too long. Good coffee, good food and a good bottle of wine…sound like a great day. Thanks for the shout!
My pleasure, Dan. In fact, the whole day was my pleasure as well. Can’t get better than that!
Sounds like a lovely day, Janet. Happy belated birthday!
It was, Robin, and thanks.
I’m glad you had a fun day for your birthday – Happy Belated Birthday!
Thanks, Madison. 🙂
janet
Your birthday celebration sounds perfect to me. I don’t think that you’re post is too, long–it’s just right! Thanks for the link to Chateauneuf-du-Pape. I’ve heard the term so am glad to know more. Those gnarly vines are something else.
That should read: “your post” but it doesn’t. I think I’ll blame that mistake on autocorrect. 😉
I see I’m not the only one who can’t let something like that go uncorrected. 🙂
The old vines are incredible–short, thick, and twisty. But the wine? Divine! 🙂
janet
Janet, I had a birthday last week too! Mine was the 10th. Happy birthday to you. We went to Reno for mine. Yours sounds delightful. Janet 2
Happy birthday to you as well. We have so many things in common that it’s scary. 🙂
janet
I was thinking the same thing!
Your special day celebrated you in a way that brings you joy and contentment. What could be more special? Many more ahead for you!
Exactly my point, Sally, and to me special doesn’t have to include spending a great deal of money. 🙂
janet
Sounds like a wonderful day filled with things and people that make you happy. What could be better! Happy Birthday!
Exactly. Thanks. 🙂
janet
Well happy birthday to you – cheers!
Thanks very much, Norm. 🙂
janet
Sometimes the same extras we give ourselves are the most special.
You’re right, JT. Just having time to myself and with family and friends is special.
janet
Oh, now I’m excited to read that post! Sounds like you had an amazing time. Too bad about the dim sum, but dim sum isn’t really my kind of eating. I want all of everything! EAT ALL THE THINGS!
With dim sum, you can eat as much as you like, including all of it or, if others want to share, you just order more. 🙂
janet
But I want all of everything on the cart!! !!!! !
Ahh, I see. Depends then how big the cart is. At this little place, you ordered from the front, no carts, as it’s a small place. But I know what you mean. Just don’t ask what everything is!! 😉
LOL! Yeah. Not even, “Was this ever squidgy? Did a chicken ever scratch dirt with this?”
I think that by any standard you had a special birthday 🙂
I did. And that wasn’t all. 🙂
janet
Happy belated Birthday, Janet. I like your version of a special day: no big hoopla; just family, friends and fine memories.
Ω
Thanks, Allan. It was a good day.
When I was working, so long as I could have the day off for my birthday it was a good day. 🙂 🙂 We all have different ideas of what ‘very’ special is. Glad yours made you happy.
I agree. Even if you like your job, a day off is good. I’m content with many kinds of “special.”
janet
Happy belated wishes and that certainly sounds like a great day.
Thanks. It was.
janet
happy belated b-day!
and this was my kind of special all the way.
also, I love how the flow of your writing is just so natural and then when I flow over things like this:
“Singapore mai fun, a curried dish with skinny rice noodles and other goodies…”
I had to stop because it was written in a way to stir up a craving!
going to click on the link now…
🙂
I hope you enjoyed the Singapore mai fun, Yvette, and I’m happy you enjoy my writing. It was an excellent day.
janet
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[…] Did you do something special? […]
Happy belated birthday, but sounds as if it was full of very positive moments!
May this next trip around the sun continue to bring you great experiences!
It was just right. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by on your limited internet time. Hope all’s well there.
janet